BYD Atto 1 vs BYD Dolphin: Which Electric Hatchback Fits Your Budget and Your Commute
The Atto 1 is the cheaper way into a BYD BEV hatchback, while the Dolphin costs more but gives you a bigger battery, more range, an extra seat and more boot space.
By Uzzi · 4 October 2026 · Every figure comes from each car's own page on CarSorted.
$19,990 drive-away
RRP $23,990 excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$23,990 RRP before on-road costs
We check the maker's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the maker.
$28,888 drive-away
RRP $29,990 excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$29,990 RRP before on-road costs
We check the maker's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the maker.
Who the BYD Atto 1 suits
The Atto 1 suits a buyer who mostly drives around town and wants the lowest price of these two cars, at $23,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) or $19,990 (drive-away, VIC). With 220km of WLTP range and 4 seats, it works best as a city runabout or a second car. Its shorter 3,990mm body is handy for tight parking.
Who the BYD Dolphin suits
The Dolphin suits a buyer who needs room for a small family or does longer drives. It has 5 seats, a 345L boot and 340km of WLTP range. It costs more at $29,990 (RRP excl. on-roads), so it makes sense if you will actually use the extra space and range.
What decides it
1. Price
The Atto 1 lists at $23,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) against $29,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) for the Dolphin, a gap of $6,000. In Victoria the drive-away figures are $19,990 (drive-away, VIC) and $28,888 (drive-away, VIC), a gap of $8,898. We have no NSW drive-away figure for either car.
2. Range and battery
The Dolphin has a 44.9kWh battery and a WLTP range of 340km. The Atto 1 has a 30.0kWh battery and 220km of range. That is 120km more range in the Dolphin, which matters if you drive longer distances or can't charge at home.
3. Seats and space
The Atto 1 has 4 seats, while the Dolphin has 5 seats. Boot space with the seats up is 308L in the Atto 1 and 345L in the Dolphin, a difference of 37L. If you regularly carry a full load of people, the seat count may settle it.
Running costs
Both are BEVs with similar energy use: 15.5 kWh/100km for the Atto 1 and 15.2 kWh/100km for the Dolphin. Max DC charging is 65kW in the Atto 1 and 60kW in the Dolphin. Both have a 6-year, 150,000km warranty and a 12 months service interval, and we have no capped servicing figure for either. Check the running-cost chart below to compare them over time.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$4,298
per year to run
$45,481
total 5yr cost
$0.58
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $4,298/year to run, or $21,490 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$4,188
per year to run
$50,932
total 5yr cost
$0.65
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $4,188/year to run, or $20,940 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
Practicality
The Dolphin is the bigger car at 4,290mm long with a 2,700mm wheelbase, against 3,990mm and 2,500mm for the Atto 1. With the rear seats folded, boot space is 1,037L in the Atto 1 and 1,310L in the Dolphin. Both have a 10.4m turning circle, and we have no towing figures for either car.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (54% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
BYD doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 308 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (48% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
BYD doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 345 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
How quick is it?
How quick is it?
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
How quick is it?
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
Safety
The Atto 1 has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025. The Dolphin has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2023.
The figures side by side
| BYD Atto 1 | BYD Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) | $29,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) |
| Drive-away price (VIC) | $19,990 (drive-away, VIC) | $28,888 (drive-away, VIC) |
| Powertrain | BEV | BEV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| Transmission | Auto | Auto |
| Power | 65kW | 70kW |
| Torque | 175Nm | 180Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 11.1 seconds | 12.3 seconds |
| Energy use | 15.5 kWh/100km | 15.2 kWh/100km |
| Battery | 30.0kWh | 44.9kWh |
| Electric range (WLTP) | 220km | 340km |
| Max DC charging | 65kW | 60kW |
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Seats | 4 seats | 5 seats |
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 345L |
| Boot (seats folded) | 1,037L | 1,310L |
| Length | 3,990mm | 4,290mm |
| Width | 1,720mm | 1,770mm |
| Height | 1,590mm | 1,570mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,500mm | 2,700mm |
| Ground clearance | 150mm | 130mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4m | 10.4m |
| Kerb weight | 1,294kg | 1,506kg |
| Payload | No data | 410kg |
| ANCAP rating | 5-star (2025) | 5-star (2023) |
| Warranty | 6-year | 6-year |
| Warranty distance | 150,000km | 150,000km |
| Service interval | 12 months | 12 months |
The verdict
The Atto 1 wins on price and the Dolphin wins on range, seats and space, so your daily driving should decide it.
Pick the BYD Atto 1 if
you want the lower price, drive mostly around town and only need 4 seats.
Pick the BYD Dolphin if
you need 5 seats, more boot space and the extra range of 340km.
Put them side by side yourself
Every figure, feature and running cost for both, in our live comparison table.
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Ask about these two cars
- BYD Atto 1 Essential
- BYD Dolphin Essential
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Questions buyers ask
Is the BYD Atto 1 cheaper than the BYD Dolphin?
Yes. The Atto 1 is $23,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) and the Dolphin is $29,990 (RRP excl. on-roads), a gap of $6,000. In Victoria the drive-away prices are $19,990 (drive-away, VIC) and $28,888 (drive-away, VIC).
What is the range of the BYD Atto 1 compared with the BYD Dolphin?
The Atto 1 has a WLTP range of 220km and the Dolphin has 340km. Real-world range will depend on how and where you drive.
How many seats does the BYD Atto 1 have?
The Atto 1 has 4 seats. The Dolphin has 5 seats.
What ANCAP rating do the BYD Atto 1 and BYD Dolphin have?
The Atto 1 has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025. The Dolphin has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2023.
Which has the bigger boot, the Atto 1 or the Dolphin?
The Dolphin has a 345L boot with the seats up, against 308L in the Atto 1. With the seats folded the figures are 1,310L and 1,037L.
More on these cars
- 2026 BYD Atto 1 Essential: full specs and priceEvery BYD Atto 1 gradeAll BYD models
- 2026 BYD Dolphin Essential: full specs and priceEvery BYD Dolphin gradeAll BYD models