Key Points
- The BYD Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid is priced from $24,990 before on-road costs in Australia.
- It is now Australia's cheapest PHEV, $9000 below the BYD Sealion 5 Essential at $33,990.
- The Essential has a 7.85kWh battery with 39km of WLTP electric range, while the $29,990 Premium has an 18.03kWh battery with 90km.
BYD has announced Australian pricing for the 2027 Atto 2 DM-i. The plug-in hybrid version of the Atto 2 small SUV starts at $24,990 before on-road costs.That makes it the cheapest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale in Australia.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the BYD Atto 1 EV became Australia's equal-cheapest new car. The Atto 2 DM-i is $9000 cheaper than the next most affordable PHEV, the BYD Sealion 5 Essential. It also costs less than the electric Atto 2, which is priced from $31,990.
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Price in Australia
The Atto 2 DM-i comes in two variants: Essential and Premium. The Premium costs $5000 more and gets a larger battery, more electric range and more equipment.
Both plug-in hybrid variants sit below the electric Atto 2 range. Prices below exclude on-road costs.
2027 BYD Atto 2 Pricing (Before On-Road Costs)
Variant | Powertrain | Price |
Atto 2 DM-i Essential | Plug-in hybrid | $24,990 |
Atto 2 DM-i Premium | Plug-in hybrid | $29,990 |
Atto 2 Dynamic | Electric | $31,990 |
Atto 2 Premium | Electric | $35,990 |
How It Compares With Other PHEVs
Before the Atto 2 DM-i, BYD's cheapest PHEV was the larger Sealion 5 Essential at $33,990 before on-road costs. The Atto 2 DM-i Essential undercuts it by $9000.
The cheapest PHEV from another brand is the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid. It is listed at $34,990 drive-away, but that price is only valid until 30 September 2026.
The Atto 2 DM-i Essential is also close in price to the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid, which is listed at $29,990 drive-away. The Tiggo 4 Hybrid is a conventional hybrid and cannot be plugged in. The Atto 2 DM-i price excludes on-road costs, so its drive-away price will be higher than $24,990.
Atto 2 DM-i vs Australia's Most Affordable PHEVs and Hybrids
Model | Type | Price |
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Essential | PHEV | $24,990 before on-roads |
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Premium | PHEV | $29,990 before on-roads |
BYD Sealion 5 Essential | PHEV | $33,990 before on-roads |
BYD Seal 6 Essential | PHEV | $34,990 before on-roads |
Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid | PHEV | $34,990 drive-away (until 30 September 2026) |
Forthing Taikon 5 | Range-extender (REEV) | $36,990 drive-away |
Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid | Hybrid (not plug-in) | $29,990 drive-away |
The launch continues a run of low pricing from BYD in Australia. The Atto 1 Essential became the country's equal-cheapest new car earlier this month at $19,990 drive-away. That drive-away price only runs until 15 December 2026.
Battery, Electric Range and Powertrain
Both variants use BYD's DM-i plug-in hybrid system. It pairs a 72kW/122Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a 145kW/300Nm electric motor. Both variants are front-wheel drive.
The Essential uses a 7.85kWh BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It has a WLTP electric-only range of 39km. The Premium uses an 18.03kWh Blade LFP battery with 90km of WLTP electric range.
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Specifications
Specification | Essential | Premium |
Engine | 1.5L four-cylinder petrol, 72kW/122Nm | 1.5L four-cylinder petrol, 72kW/122Nm |
Electric motor | 145kW/300Nm | 145kW/300Nm |
Combined output | 122kW/300Nm | 156kW/300Nm (see note above) |
Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
Battery | 7.85kWh Blade LFP | 18.03kWh Blade LFP |
Electric range (WLTP) | 39km | 90km |
Total range | 845km | 895km |
Fuel use (WLTP) | 1.8L/100km | 0.7L/100km |
0-100km/h | 9.1 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
AC charging | 3.3kW | 3.3kW |
DC fast charging | Not supported | Not supported |
Charge time (15-100%) | 2.7 hours | 6.1 hours |
The fuel use figures are WLTP combined results that start with a charged battery. Real-world fuel use will depend on how often the car is charged.
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Drive Modes
The Atto 2 DM-i has three powertrain modes as standard:
- EV mode: the car runs on battery power alone.
- HEV Series: the petrol engine acts as a generator to charge the battery, while the electric motor drives the wheels.
- HEV Parallel: the petrol engine and electric motor work together to drive the car.
Charging
Both variants charge on AC only, with a peak rate of 3.3kW. DC fast charging is not supported. Charging from 15 to 100 per cent takes 2.7 hours in the Essential and 6.1 hours in the Premium.
Dimensions and Practicality
The Atto 2 DM-i is 4330mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm tall, with a 2620mm wheelbase. Boot space is 425 litres with the second-row seats up.
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Dimensions
Dimension | Measurement |
Length | 4330mm |
Width | 1830mm |
Height | 1675mm |
Wheelbase | 2620mm |
Boot space (seats up) | 425L |
Standard Equipment
Atto 2 DM-i Essential
The $24,990 Essential comes with:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Four-speaker sound system
- Cloth upholstery
- Manual seat adjustment
- Polyurethane steering wheel
- Six airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- 360-degree camera
- Speed sign recognition
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Atto 2 DM-i Premium
The $29,990 Premium adds:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 12.8-inch touchscreen
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade
- Roof rails
- Power-folding mirrors
- Front parking sensors
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Six-way power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- 50W wireless phone charger
- Single-colour ambient lighting
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) with discharge adapter
- Turquoise Blue paint option\
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
