BYD Atto 2 DM-i joins Australian range from $24,990

Two plug-in hybrids join the Australian range

BYD has added two front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrids to its Australian Atto 2 small-SUV range. The 2027 Atto 2 DM-i Essential is priced at $24,990 and the Premium at $29,990, both before on-road costs. They join the existing battery-electric Dynamic and Premium grades rather than replacing them. ¹⁵⁶

The electric Atto 2 Dynamic is listed at $31,990 before on-road costs, with the electric Premium at $35,990 on the same basis. CarExpert reports that the DM-i Essential also takes the position of Australia’s lowest-priced plug-in hybrid from the larger BYD Sealion 5 Essential, listed at $33,990 before on-road costs. AutoTalk Australia lists a $600 charge for premium paint on the Atto 2. ¹⁶

Batteries, output and claimed range

Both DM-i grades pair a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and drive the front wheels. BYD quotes combined outputs of 122kW and 300Nm for the Essential, rising to 156kW and 300Nm for the Premium. CarExpert identifies the engine as a naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit rated at 72kW and 122Nm; the quoted combined outputs should not be read as the sum of the individual power figures. ¹⁵⁶

The Essential has a 7.85kWh lithium iron phosphate Blade battery and a claimed 39km of electric driving on the WLTP cycle. The Premium’s larger 18.03kWh battery lifts the claimed WLTP electric range to 90km. Listed petrol-and-electric driving ranges are 845km and 895km respectively. ¹⁵

BYD lists combined fuel consumption of 1.8L/100km for the Essential and 0.7L/100km for the Premium with the battery above 25 per cent state of charge. That condition is part of the figures: they are not a measure of consumption after the battery’s charge has been depleted. ¹⁵

A February drive of a European-market Atto 2 DM-i by VISION mobility provides a separate, limited observation rather than an Australian fuel-consumption result. Its onboard computer showed 4.9L/100km and 0.9kWh/100km over a 50km loop started with the battery at 60 per cent. The publication reported electric range closer to 70km on a winter drive; those conditions and the tested vehicle differ from the Australian-market claims. ³

Charging and hybrid operation

Australian DM-i specifications list 3.3kW AC charging for both grades. BYD’s estimated charge times from 15 to 100 per cent are about 2.7 hours for the Essential and 6.1 hours for the Premium. Cars24 and CarExpert report that neither grade supports DC fast charging, while vehicle-to-load power supply is reserved for the Premium; AutoTalk Australia rates that output at 3kW. ¹²⁶

The drivetrain can operate on electric power alone, run the petrol engine as a generator, or use the engine and motor together to drive the wheels. These are operating modes of the one plug-in hybrid system, not separate Australian powertrain choices. ¹⁶

Equipment and space

The Essential has cloth upholstery, manual seat adjustment, a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Premium adds synthetic leather upholstery, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, roof rails, front parking sensors, a wireless phone charger and 17-inch wheels. AutoTalk Australia lists an 8.8-inch digital instrument display and a panoramic sunroof among the Atto 2 DM-i equipment. ¹⁵⁶

Both grades include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera. AutoTalk Australia also lists autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure assistance. The DM-i measures 4330mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm high, with a 2620mm wheelbase; quoted luggage capacity is 425 litres with the rear seats in place or 1335 litres with them folded. ¹⁶

Orders, deliveries and earlier plans

Cars24 says the Atto 2 DM-i is available to order in Australia. Chasing Cars reports that BYD estimates deliveries will start in October 2026. That is later than the expectation reported by CarExpert in August, when BYD Australia had opened an expressions-of-interest page ahead of an anticipated arrival before the end of September; the October estimate is the more recent delivery guidance. ²⁴⁵

AutoTalk Australia lists warranty coverage for Australian-delivered models of six years or 150,000km for the vehicle, eight years or 160,000km for the traction battery, and eight years or 150,000km for the drive unit. ¹