BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Q7
What's the difference?

BYD Atto 1

$23,990 - $27,990

2026 price

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Audi Q7

$75,880 - $129,990

2025 price

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Summary

2026 BYD Atto 1

2025 Audi Q7

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Diesel/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

7.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Affordability
Packaging
Ride comfort around town

Extremely comfortable
Sensible tech and ergonomics
Design still looks current

Dislikes

Fiddly and distracting touchscreen
ADAS interference
No spare wheel

Thirst for fuel
Lack of front row storage
Occasional drivetrain hesitation

2026 BYD Atto 1 Summary

Back in 2010, Mitsubishi released Australia’s first mainstream electric vehicle (EV) in nearly a century.

That model, the i-MiEV, was a four-seater city-sized Kei car from Japan that cost $48,800, before on-road costs, or from roughly $70,000 in today's money. Little wonder it bombed. That was four times more than petrol-powered equivalents of the time.

Now, in 2026, the new BYD Atto 1 is the first EV sold here since the i-MiEV’s 2013 departure to be considered a four-seater city car.

It’s also the least-expensive EV money can buy, being even cheaper than many internal-combustion engine alternatives like the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris hybrid. The fact is, there’s nothing remotely near the Chinese supermini’s base price that’s electric.

But is the Atto 1 any good?

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2025 Audi Q7 Summary

The updated Audi Q7 is a bit of a game of ‘spot the difference’ - but even though it’s far from a new generation, the update is more than just some shiny new bits.

While the brand’s first SUV is still in its second generation, a bit of modernised design and some tech tweaks are aimed at keeping it in line with rivals, even as it nears a decade on sale.

As well as the new features, there’s also a new variant bound for Aussie showrooms. So, is it still up to the task?

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Deep dive comparison

2026 BYD Atto 1 2025 Audi Q7

Verdict

The BYD Atto 1 has already earned its place in history as the cheapest new EV ever sold in Australia. And the good news is that, on the strength of bigger-battery Premium version, it rarely puts a foot wrong as a city car, exceeding performance, efficiency, refinement and comfort expectations. The Atto 1 really delivers around town.

But the baby BYD’s price is too close to larger EVs with better range, while extended exposure reveals issues with seat comfort, touchscreen access/distraction, ADAS interference and nervous steering feel at speed. Australian road tuning is required to rectify these.

Still, as a cheap urban EV runabout, the Atto 1 Premium still (just) stands alone. A glimpse into the future, someday, all city cars will likely follow in the bold BYD’s footsteps.

Verdict

Overall, changes to the Q7 aren’t quite revolutionary, but that’s okay because it was already a fantastic large SUV.

The fact Audi has kept the price around the same mark and introduced a cheaper entry-grade should be welcome news for prospective buyers.

But even the existing variants are capable and impressive family haulers… and now they’re just that little bit better.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Q7 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Q7
What's the difference?