At AU$19,990 (~$13,995 USD) drive-away, the BYD Atto 1 Essential now undercuts every other new passenger car available in Australia, regardless of whether it uses gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or electric power.
Australia-based creator Beyond EV (@Beyond-EV) got behind the wheel to see if the budget electric vehicle gets the job done.
Here's what to know
The creator's YouTube review focused on the entry-level model and the equipment that comes with its bargain price.
Beyond EV previously highlighted the promotional Atto 1 Premium that starts from AU$23,990 ($16,748) but features other costs. The creator admitted to being "roasted" for not reviewing the cheaper model. The Essential is equipped with a 30-kWh Blade battery, 137 miles (220 kilometers) of WLTP range, and a 65-kW motor mounted up front.
Beyond EV questioned whether the pricier version justifies the jump in cost. Although the Premium is quicker and adds a few comfort-oriented extras, the creator argued that "there is not $10,000 [of] difference between this and the premium."
Everyday equipment is still fairly generous in the base trim. The reviewer pointed to synthetic leather seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, intelligent cruise control, a digital driver's display, and vehicle-to-load capability, while noting that the main items left to the Premium are heated seats, a wireless phone charger, and a 360-degree camera.
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"Great around town, adequate open-road performance, decent specs etc.," a Premium owner who test-drove both wrote on YouTube. "Only reason I went for the higher spec was living rural with slightly longer trip requirements."
More background
The Essential is a compact four-seat hatchback that stretches 13.1 feet (3.99 meters) long, sits on 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, and has 5.9 inches (150 millimeters) of ground clearance. Beyond EV also said the rear bench felt unexpectedly roomy for an entry-level car, especially for a 5-foot-10 (178-centimeter) passenger.
The numbers are modest, with 175 Nm of torque and an 11.1-second sprint to 100 km/h (~62 mph). Still, the reviewer suggested that matters less in the kind of low-speed urban driving the car appears built for, adding that around town it felt much like the Premium, just "a little bit less perky."
For some buyers, the stronger selling point may be what it costs to run. As a fully electric car, the Atto 1 can cut fuel expenses and often reduce routine maintenance needs too, since EVs have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes.
The base version also keeps its advanced driver assistance systems and holds a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
"This is the type of car that will lead to the phasing out of new petrol/diesel vehicles in Australia," a YouTube commenter predicted.
What can be done?
The reviewer said the biggest difference versus the Premium showed up when merging or accelerating harder, rather than in city traffic where the Essential is likely to spend most of its time.
For charging and external power, the Atto 1 Essential supports up to 11 kW on AC, up to 65 kW on DC fast charging, and 3.3 kW of V2L output for devices.
After driving the Atto 1 Essential on Frankston roads, Beyond EV summed it up this way: "There is no better value than this car on the road right now."
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