Toyota Yaris Cross vs BYD Atto 1
What's the difference?

Toyota Yaris Cross

$31,790 - $41,280

2026 price

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BYD Atto 1

$23,990 - $27,990

2026 price

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Summary

2026 Toyota Yaris Cross

2026 BYD Atto 1

By Emily Agar

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 3, 1.5L

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

—

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

3.8L/100km (combined)

Electric range

310 km

Energy consumption

16.0 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

43.20 kWh

Seating

Likes

Cute exterior packaging
Park it anywhere
Hybrid boost hides low outputs

Affordability
Packaging
Ride comfort around town

Dislikes

Cabin is ageing
Missing some features for price point
Model-year upgrades are too modest

Fiddly and distracting touchscreen
ADAS interference
No spare wheel

2026 Toyota Yaris Cross Summary

Toyota’s smallest SUV has picked up a few subtle styling and tech tweaks as part of a minor model year update.

It goes up against familiar names like the Nissan Juke and Kia Stonic in the light SUV segment, as well as hybrid rivals like the newer Suzuki Fronx and Chery Tiggo 4.

But does the Toyota still have enough appeal this late in its life cycle?

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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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Deep dive comparison

2026 Toyota Yaris Cross 2026 BYD Atto 1

Verdict

The Toyota Yaris Cross Urban is a city-savvy SUV that’s easy to park, nimble in traffic, and relatively fun to drive. It’s cute as a button on the outside, but the cabin doesn’t quite match the price, and some of the tech feels a little behind the times compared to rivals. The hybrid powertrain definitely earns it points but is it worth the jump in price over its rivals? A hesitant yes, because who doesn't like efficiency? But it needs a cabin upgrade to stay truly competitive in our market.

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.

Toyota Yaris Cross vs BYD Atto 1 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Yaris Cross vs BYD Atto 1
What's the difference?