BYD Atto 2: The Affordable Plug-in Hybrid Option in Australia

BYD Australia has announced that the BYD Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will be making its way to Australian shores later this year, joining the electric version of the small SUV. The company has already launched an Expressions of Interest page on its website for the Atto 2 DM-i, which is expected to arrive before the end of September. While pricing and local specifications have not been disclosed yet, considering the Atto 2 EV starts at $31,990 before on-road costs, the new DM-i version could potentially become the most affordable PHEV in Australia, surpassing the current titleholder, the Sealion 5, which starts at $33,990 before on-road costs.

“The addition of the Atto 2 DM-i resonates really well with Australians looking for an affordable, practical, and stylish SUV,” a spokesperson for BYD Australia commented. “We see tremendous potential with this vehicle. The Atto 2 caters to a wide range of customers, and the introduction of a Super Hybrid variant will only enhance its appeal and provide customers with more options.”

The electric Atto 2 has seen impressive sales figures this year, with 6615 units sold year-to-date, including 1214 deliveries in July 2026. This places it as BYD Australia’s third best-selling model, following the Sealion 7 electric SUV and the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute.

The Atto 2 DM-i was unveiled in October 2025 and is already available for sale in right-hand drive markets like the United Kingdom. In the UK, it starts at £26,995 ($51,531) drive-away, which is approximately £3000 ($5727) cheaper than the Sealion 5.

The UK lineup includes Active and Boost variants, with prices starting at £26,995 ($51,531) and £29,990 ($57,258) drive-away respectively. Both models feature a front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 72kW/122Nm 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a 145kW/300Nm electric motor, although they differ in battery capacities.

The entry-level Active model delivers combined outputs of 122kW and 300Nm and is equipped with a 7.8kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering an estimated electric driving range of 39km (WLTP) and a total driving range of 928km.

On the other hand, the Boost variant boosts system output to 156kW while maintaining 300Nm of torque. It features an 18kWh Blade LFP battery with faster charging capabilities, increasing the electric-only range to 89km (WLTP) and the total driving range to 999km.

According to BYD, the Boost model can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, which is 1.6 seconds quicker than the Active model and 0.4 seconds faster than the Atto 2 EV available in Australia.

The UK-spec Atto 2 DM-i has a kerb weight of 1510kg in Active guise and 1620kg in Boost trim, compared to the claimed 1555kg kerb weight of the Australian-market Atto 2 EV. Both UK variants come with a 45-liter fuel tank.

The Active variant includes standard features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a reversing camera, and a 12.8-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On the other hand, the Boost model upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails, privacy glass, vegan leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, with a choice of black or beige interior finishes. It also adds a panoramic fixed glass roof, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

The expanded Atto 2 lineup is expected to further enhance BYD Australia’s performance, as the brand achieved second place overall in sales for the third consecutive month in July 2026, marking the highest position ever attained by a Chinese automaker. BYD has now surpassed Kia in the year-to-date sales race and is positioned second behind Toyota, with Ford in third and Kia in fourth place.

In conclusion, the BYD Atto 2 DM-i is set to bring a new dimension to the Australian automotive market, offering an affordable, practical, and stylish SUV option for consumers. With its impressive features, performance, and competitive pricing, the Atto 2 DM-i is poised to make a significant impact in the PHEV segment.