BYD Atto 2 DM-i vs Nissan Dualis
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 8 Aug 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.
Track the BYD Atto 2 DM-i & Nissan Dualis
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i starts from $24,990 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Dualis opens at $25,990. That makes the BYD Atto 2 DM-i the more affordable entry point by $1,000.
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 $28,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Atto 2 DM-i by roughly $10,320 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
Nissan Dualis
- REC-001086 · published 19 Jan 2015The steering wheel boss, which is connected to the steering column, may not have the appropriate strength.Year range on the notice: 2012
- REC-003452 · published 20 Sep 2012The steering wheel boss, which is connected to the steering column, may not have the appropriate strength.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-003406 · published 28 Nov 2011Manufacturing defect in the power steering control unit, which can stop power assisted steering.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
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 Nissan Dualis gets a 5-inch display.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Dualis. 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 Nissan Dualis responds with a MR20DE making 102kW and 198Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i has the clear power advantage at 122kW vs 102kW. 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, matching the Nissan Dualis at 4,330mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Dualis generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Nissan Dualis leads with a 1,400kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 650kg 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 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m 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 $2,309/year for the Nissan Dualis. That is a $2,064 annual difference in favour of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Atto 2 DM-i if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Dualis if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Atto 2 DM-i: Top CarSorted Score, 61 vs 52
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (61 vs 52), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (BYD Atto 2 DM-i ahead by 37), technology (BYD Atto 2 DM-i ahead by 36), performance (BYD Atto 2 DM-i ahead by 9). The BYD Atto 2 DM-i will save you roughly $2,064 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Atto 2 DM-i and Nissan Dualis?
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is the cheapest at $24,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Nissan Dualis by $1,000.
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?
Nissan Dualis 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 can tow the most?
The Nissan Dualis has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,400kg.
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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