BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Sq6 E-Tron
What's the difference?

BYD Atto 1

$23,990 - $27,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Audi Sq6 E-Tron

—

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2026 BYD Atto 1

2025 Audi Sq6 E-Tron

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Affordability
Packaging
Ride comfort around town

Gorgeous design inside and out
Powerful and dynamic on-road handling
Quick charging and long drive range

Dislikes

Fiddly and distracting touchscreen
ADAS interference
No spare wheel

Not super fun for an S badge
A couple of tech gremlins
Significant price jump from other grades

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?

View full pricing & specs

2025 Audi Sq6 E-Tron Summary

Sharing the same Volkswagen Group PPE platform as its main rival, the Porsche Macan 4S, the newly launched Audi SQ6 e-tron has promised both efficiency and performance.

Is it a combination that can be achieved in real life? My family of three have been testing it out this week to find out for you.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 BYD Atto 1 2025 Audi Sq6 E-Tron

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

When it comes to a performance electric SUV, the Audi SQ6 e-tron is a fine example and showcases a masterclass in design. It drives and handles beautifully, even if it’s not as fun as I expected.

The technology looks amazing and I'm sure the little bumps we experienced will be ironed out with a software update.

The SQ6 will suit a smaller family best but the decent driving range and fast charging capabilities means regional families might like it too.

BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Sq6 E-Tron What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BYD Atto 1 vs Audi Sq6 E-Tron
What's the difference?