BYD’s next model for Australia exposed: 2026 BYD Atto 2 approved for sale to battle the MG 4 Urban and Hyundai Kona Electric

The BYD Atto 2 is almost ready to hit the showroom floor.

BYD’s small electric SUV has been approved for sale by the Australian government regulator, which paves the way for it to land in customer hands in the coming months.

Usually a model goes on sale several months after it appears in government homologation documents, which means the Atto 2 could be a nice little early Christmas present for BYD dealers.

The Atto 2 will slot in between the Atto 3 SUV and the Dolphin hatchback in the brand’s local line-up.

Approval documents detail two variants — both powered by a single 130kW electric motor driving the front wheels.

Overseas this motor is paired with a circa-51kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery delivering a WLTP driving range of up to 344km.

A more potent 150kW/310Nm variant with a roughly 65kWh battery is available overseas with a WLTP driving range of up to 420km.

The Atto 2 rides on either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels according to the documents. It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide, 1675mm high and has a wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles — of 2620mm, which puts it somewhere between a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Yaris Cross.

There has been no indication on prices yet, but in the UK it starts at £30,850 ($64,500). 

UK car prices are historically expensive and Chinese cars are much cheaper in Australia due to a free trade agreement and shorter transport distances.

The Atto 3 costs £37,705 ($77,417) but only $39,990 in Australia, which is about half the price. 

If we apply the same percentage price difference to the Atto 2 it is likely to kick off at about $33,500 (before on-road costs).

The new Atto 2 will face off against the coming MG 4 Urban, which is due to arrive next year and could be the cheapest new electric car in the nation when it lands.

The Atto 2 is expected to be the first in a wave of new models from BYD and its new luxury/adventure brand Denza to hit Australian roads in the next 12 months.

Customers can expect the large BYD Sealion 8 SUV and adventure ready plug-in hybrid Denza B5 and B8.