2 days ago
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BYD's smallest – and likely most affordable – electric SUV for Australia is nearing local shores as a possible second model launch for the brand in 2025.
Electric Cars
BYD's smallest electric SUV yet for global markets – sold in Europe as the 2025 BYD Atto 2 – could be in Australian showrooms by the end of this year.
The name it would wear in Australia is yet to be confirmed, as BYD has applied for the Atto 3 Up trademark locally – and it is sold as the Yuan Up in China.
The Atto 2 is, as its name suggests, smaller than the current Atto 3 compact SUV, sharing much with the city-sized Dolphin hatch, and confirmed for right-hand-drive production for the UK.
Luke Todd, managing director of BYD's Australian distributor EVDirect, told Drive the company is committed to launching at least two new models each year.
It means at least one more new model is coming to follow this month's launch of the Sealion 7 mid-size electric SUV – and last year's hybrid Shark 6 ute and Sealion 6 mid-size SUV.
"It [Atto 2] is potentially one of the ones that may be coming to Australia later this year, but it's not confirmed as yet though," he said.
Prices of the Atto 2 in Belgium start from €29,990 for the entry-level Active variant, rising to €31,990 for the Boost grade, and a higher, still-undisclosed RRP for the longer-range Comfort coming soon.
The UK range is set to open with the Boost grade – which adds a larger touchscreen, 360-degree camera, and more – and fit a larger 50kWh battery, compared to Europe's standard 45.1kWh pack.
A top-of-the-range BYD Dolphin hatch in Europe costs €35,990, while a BYD Seal Design – roughly equivalent to Australia's Premium grade – is listed for €48,400.
Equivalent models in Australia would cost $36,990 and $52,990 before on-road costs respectively.
Based on the price differences between European and Australian models, the Atto 2 could start in the low-to-mid-$30,000 range in Australia, slotting between the cheapest Dolphin ($29,990) and Atto 3 ($39,990) locally.
Europe's entry-level 45.1kWh battery pack is rated to deliver 312km of driving range in European WLTP testing, while the UK's Auto Express reports suggest the flagship grade will claim 420km, likely from a 60kWh battery.
A 50kWh battery will be the base option in the UK, which is estimated to deliver a range of about 340km.
The smaller batteries will reportedly be matched with a 130kW front-mounted electric motor, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds.
The Atto 2 measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm tall – compared to the Atto 3 at 4455mm long, 1875mm wide and 1615mm tall.
Available features in Europe include 10.1- or 12.8-inch rotating touchscreens, an 8.8-inch instrument display, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, heated power-adjustable front seats, leather-look upholstery, and a suite of safety aids.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
