BYD Atto 2 DM-i vs MG ZS
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
BYD Atto 2 DM-i: not on sale yet, so BYD hasn't published warranty and CO2 emissions.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i starts from $24,990 before on-road costs, while the MG ZS opens at $22,990. That makes the MG ZS the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $27,489 and $25,289 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Atto 2 DM-i by roughly $8,325 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BYD Atto 2 DM-i
None open on our record
MG ZS
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
7.9kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the MG ZS gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the MG ZS. The MG ZS counters with Apple CarPlay and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i uses a 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol producing 122kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The MG ZS responds with a Petrol making 81kW and 140Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i has the clear power advantage at 122kW vs 81kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i measures 4,330mm long on a 2,620mm wheelbase, 100mm shorter than the MG ZS at 4,430mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Atto 2 DM-i generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 425L in the BYD Atto 2 DM-i and 443L in the MG ZS, giving the MG ZS a 18L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Atto 2 DM-i leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.0m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $245/year for the BYD Atto 2 DM-i and $1,910/year for the MG ZS. That is a $1,665 annual difference in favour of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Atto 2 DM-i if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG ZS if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
MG ZS: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 61
The MG ZS comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 61), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (MG ZS ahead by 28), fuel economy (BYD Atto 2 DM-i ahead by 25), reliability (MG ZS ahead by 17). The BYD Atto 2 DM-i will save you roughly $1,665 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Atto 2 DM-i and MG ZS?
The MG ZS is the cheapest at $22,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Atto 2 DM-i by $2,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i uses the least fuel at 5.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
MG ZS holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for BYD Atto 2 DM-i, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG ZS has the largest boot at 443L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i makes the most power at 122kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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