BYD Atto 1 slashed to $19,990 DA, the cheapest in Australia

Key highlights:

• BYD Atto 1 Essential now costs $19,990 drive-away nationwide
• The price cut saves buyers up to $7070, or 26%
• Atto 1 EV now matches MG3 Petrol as Australia’s cheapest new car

BYD has dropped the price of its smallest electric car by thousands, pushing the Atto 1 Essential down to $19,990 drive-away across Australia and that puts it level with the petrol-powered MG3 Vibe as the country’s joint-cheapest new car outright.

Atto 1 gets a major price cut

The 2026 BYD Atto 1 Essential normally costs $23,990 before on-road costs, and depending on where you register it, that works out to $25,762–$27,060 drive-away.

BYD’s new special offer cuts the price to $19,990 drive-away nationwide, and interestingly, BYD hasn’t confirmed whether the offer has an end date or any other limitations.

It also hasn’t announced a national drive-away offer for the longer-range Atto 1 Premium, which remains the best-selling version and is priced at $27,990 before on-road costs.

The Atto 1 EV’s entry price now matches the petrol-only MG3 Vibe, which currently sells for $19,990 drive-away after a $1000 cashback offer and is slightly larger. That makes the Atto 1 the joint-cheapest new car available in Australia.

How the Atto 1 is selling

BYD launched the four-seat Atto 1 in Australia at the start of 2026, and it has recorded 3838 sales year-to-date. That gives it third place across Australia’s combined micro and light-car segments.

The five-seat Geely EX2 has outsold the Atto 1 since arriving in Australian showrooms in July 2026, and it was China’s best-selling car last year and costs $26,490–$30,990 before on-road costs in Australia.

Atto 1 Essential: What’s under the skin?

The Essential uses a 30kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery without dedicated cooling, and its front-mounted electric motor produces 65kW and 175Nm.

Atto 1 Essential: Standard equipment

Despite sitting at the bottom of the range, the Essential includes a reasonable list of standard equipment:

• 15-inch steel wheels with covers
• 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dusk-sensing halogen headlights
• Four-speaker sound system
• Synthetic leather-look upholstery
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster
• USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• FM/DAB+ radio
• Rear-view camera
• Rear privacy glass
• Tilt-only steering wheel adjustment
• Rear parking sensors

The Atto 1 Essential also carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2025 testing.

MG3 Vibe petrol – also the cheapest new car in Australia right now

Premium costs $27,990 before on-road costs

The Atto 1 Premium sits above the Essential and uses a much larger 43.2kWh LFP battery and a more powerful 115kW/220Nm motor. It also increases DC charging capability to 85kW and extends the WLTP driving range to 310km.

What does the Atto 1 Premium add?

The flagship grade adds several equipment upgrades, including:

• Steering wheel reach adjustment
• Surround-view camera
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power-folding side mirrors
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Power-adjustable heated front seats
• LED headlights
• Automatic driver’s window

For buyers focused purely on the entry price, the Essential now makes the Atto 1 the cheapest new EV outright alongside the petrol MG3 at the same advertised price.