BYD Atto 1 vs Volkswagen Id.4
What's the difference?

BYD Atto 1

$23,990 - $27,990

2026 price

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Volkswagen Id.4

$59,990 - $69,990

2026 price

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Summary

2026 BYD Atto 1

2026 Volkswagen Id.4

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

Comfortable and spacious cabin
Smooth, confident driving
Practical range and fast charging

Dislikes

Fiddly and distracting touchscreen
ADAS interference
No spare wheel

Lane keeping aid can be jerky
Visibility can be compromised
No wireless phone connectivity or sat nav

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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2026 Volkswagen Id.4 Summary

The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 Pro has finally landed on our shores! Hurrah! The benefit of waiting almost half a decade for it means we get some mid-life technology upgrades and interior features for the single variant that's available to us (at least for now).

The biggest question this mid-size SUV really poses, though, is has it been worth the wait? Is it practical enough? Is it fun enough? Let’s find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 BYD Atto 1 2026 Volkswagen Id.4

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

It’s been a long wait for the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, but it’s one that’s paid off. It's an electric SUV that delivers on the essentials - comfort, smart features, and an effortless driving experience. But it also keeps charging times, range, and running costs firmly in the 'very liveable' camp. The ID.4 Pro manages to feel polished and personable, which is a great combination.

BYD Atto 1 vs Volkswagen Id.4 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BYD Atto 1 vs Volkswagen Id.4
What's the difference?