BYD Atto 1 Slashed to $19,990 Drive-Away, Becoming Australia’s Cheapest New Car

In an unprecedented milestone for the Australian automotive market, an electric vehicle is now officially the cheapest brand-new vehicle on sale in the country.

Prior to this campaign, the Atto 1 Essential carried a list price of $23,990 before on-road costs, translating to an on-the-road cost of $26,993 based on a standard Sydney postcode. The revised promotional sticker represents a cash saving of roughly $7,000 on the road, dramatically lowering the financial barrier to EV ownership.

The $19,990 drive-away sticker achieves direct price parity with entry-level internal combustion hatchbacks. It directly matches the petrol-powered MG 3 Vibe (currently discounted to $19,990 drive-away until September 30), while completely undercutting the smaller Kia Picanto Sport manual micro-hatch, which lists from $19,190 plus on-roads and lands above $22,000 drive-away.

However, showroom data reveals an interesting trend: despite its rock-bottom entry price, the Atto 1 (3,838 units delivered year-to-date) continues to be outsold more than two-to-one by its larger, more expensive showroom stablemate, the BYD Atto 2 small SUV.

Powertrain & Efficiency: Urban Commuter Realities

To meet the sub-$20,000 price point, the Atto 1 Essential utilizes modest battery and motor hardware strictly engineered for metropolitan commuting:

• Electric Powertrain: Powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 65kW of power and 175Nm of torque.
• Battery Capacity & Range: Houses a compact 30kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Blade battery. Official driving range is rated at 220km on the strict WLTP test cycle.
• Charging Capabilities: Maximum DC fast-charging is capped at 65kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in approximately 30 minutes on public fast-chargers.

Standard Equipment & Practical Compromises

The Atto 1 Essential carries standard equipment tailored to keep manufacturing costs keen:

• Interior & Technology: Fitted with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with push-button start, and leatherette upholstery with two-way steering column adjustment.
• Exterior Hardware: Rides on 15-inch steel wheels with 175/65 R15 Hankook tyres (with plastic hubcaps) and relies on automatic halogen headlights rather than LED units. Metallic paint remains a $500 factory option.

• Safety Credentials: Holds a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested under 2023–2025 protocols), equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, a reversing camera with rear sensors, and front, front-side, and full curtain airbags.

Buyers requiring extended highway touring range, alloy wheels, and punchier performance can step up to the Atto 1 Premium at $27,990 before on-roads.