First Australian Drive of Cheapest New EV! (BYD Atto 1/Dolphin Surf 2026 Review )

Chinese brand BYD is on a march in Australia, already offering the cheapest electric car in the Dolphin, but the new Atto 1 promises to be even more affordable with a $25,000 start price, undercutting the Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris and coming close to the Suzuki Swift.

With seating for four and up to a 43.2kWh battery onboard, the fairly lightweight Atto 1 is rated at 310km in the WLTP combined cycle, but over 500km in urban cycles. Power numbers and DC fast-charging are slow, but as a tiddler these should suit the Atto 1’s remit.

It is going on sale imminently and road test editor John Law gets an early taste of the sub-four-metre long electric city car at ex-GM/Holden proving ground Lang Lang.Will it be a big-selling game changer when it arrives? Only time will tell.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:13 - Cheapest EV!
0:38 - Today’s plans
0:52 - Design
1:29 - Cabin impressions
3:29 - EV credentials
3:55 - Back seat
4:24 - Strict four-seater
4:46 - Boot size
5:55 - First Impressions
6:20 - Performance
7:12 - Road noise
8:27 - Safety
9:28 - Regen braking
10:11 - Verdict

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