MG HS +EV vs BYD Atto 2
What's the difference?

MG HS +EV

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2024 price

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BYD Atto 2

$31,990 - $35,990

2026 price

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Summary

2024 MG HS +EV

2026 BYD Atto 2

By Emily Agar

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

1.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Affordable price tag and on-going costs
Looks good inside and out
Practical cabin space

Sensible, soothing looks
Ridiculous value
Spacious back seat

Dislikes

Technology isn't great quality
Can be thirsty if you don't charge every night
Slow gear changing is annoying

Tech can be fiddly
Driving dynamics are't stellar
Is 345km enough range?

2024 MG HS +EV Summary

The MG HS +EV Essence is a smart-looking hybrid medium SUV that comes well-stacked with features and has a price point that will make you swoon.

Add the plug-in hybrid engine/motor combination and it’s pitched as a firm competitor against heavyweights like the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and the newer-kid on the block – the Haval H6.

For the top model, it has the goods on paper but how does it perform in real life? I’ve been driving it with my family of three to find out for you.

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2026 BYD Atto 2 Summary

There has never been a better time to be shopping for an electric SUV in Australia, with the avalanche of Chinese brands constantly smashing through the price floor as they bid for the title of Australia’s cheapest.

MG led the charge with its S5, which is $40,490, drive-away. Then Leapmotor upped (or downed?) the ante with its B10 with a $38,990, drive-away, price tag. And now BYD has knocked them both out with its Atto 2, officially Australia’s cheapest electric SUV (at least for now), with a MSRP of $31,990, which, in NSW, translates to a drive-away cost of less than $35K.

Cheap is one thing. But cheerful? Let’s find out, shall we?

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Deep dive comparison

2024 MG HS +EV 2026 BYD Atto 2

Verdict

The MG HS +EV Essence is a nicely specified medium SUV that should suit a lot of people. It looks really nice and I love that it's fairly practical with its features and size but would like some of the tech to improve. It’s not always seamless to use and in this market, tech is very important. The price tag and the on-going costs are hard to beat and if you’re looking for a greener option that will happily cruise in the city or on the open-road, this isn’t a bad option.

Verdict

The BYD Atto 2 isn't just the cheapest electric SUV in Australia, it's also one that doesn't feel all that cheap, which is a hell of a magic trick. If it's easy, comfortable city motoring you're after, the Atto 2 delivers in spades. But if your blood type is high octane, there are better driving EVs out there.

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

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

MG HS +EV vs BYD Atto 2 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

MG HS +EV vs BYD Atto 2
What's the difference?