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https://thedriven.io/2026/01/16/byd-atto-1-a-very-short-drive-in-a-very-important-little-electric-car/>
"For years, one of the stock arguments against electric cars has been that they
are for the wealthy. That they are merely expensive toys for early adopters,
far removed from the realities of normal car buyers.
That may once have been true. But over the past 12 to 18 months in Australia,
that line has become increasingly difficult to sustain. And not even a month
into 2026, the arrival of cars like the BYD Atto 1 looks set to push that
argument well into retirement.
Starting at $23,990 before on-roads, the Atto 1 is cheaper than a Toyota
Corolla – one of the first cars you think of when thinking about entry level
vehicles in Australia. The Atto 1 isn’t a premium SUV or a tech showcase. It’s
a basic, small hatchback that sits right in the heart of the market, where
people actually shop.
Press cars for the Atto 1 have yet to be made available, but I decided to take
one out for a half hour test drive from the local BYD dealership, just to get
some first impressions on a car that represents a major shift in the EV pricing
debate.
With such limited time behind the wheel, it’s far too early to make any firm
judgements. But in that brief drive, the Atto 1 didn’t feel obviously flimsy,
unpleasant, or like something designed by an accountant rather than an
engineer."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
