Hyundai Kona Electric vs BYD Atto 3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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 15 Oct 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and braked towing.
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.
$46,000RRP
- no option data for this car
$39,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Wireless Phone Charging not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Hyundai Kona Electric & BYD Atto 3
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts from $46,000 before on-road costs, while the BYD Atto 3 opens at $39,990. That makes the BYD Atto 3 the more affordable entry point by $6,010.
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 $50,600 and $43,989 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
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
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
BYD Atto 3
- REC-005579 · published 22 Dec 2022BYD is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall on all affected vehicles.Year range on the notice: 2022
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
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
49.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 70kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 70kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Atto 3 gets a 12.8-inch display and 5-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona Electric stands out with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Atto 3. The BYD Atto 3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, V2L and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona Electric gets premium cloth upholstery while the BYD Atto 3 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 1-zone in the BYD Atto 3.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Electric producing 99kW and 255Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The BYD Atto 3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The BYD Atto 3 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 49.9kWh (BYD Atto 3), giving WLTP ranges of 370km and 345km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 70kW (BYD Atto 3).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona Electric measures 4,355mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 100mm shorter than the BYD Atto 3 at 4,455mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Atto 3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 440L in the BYD Atto 3, giving the BYD Atto 3 a 33L advantage.
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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Atto 3 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Atto 3: Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 66
The BYD Atto 3 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (74 vs 66), taking 5 of 7 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (BYD Atto 3 ahead by 31), technology (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 19), energy efficiency (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 18). If boot space matters, the BYD Atto 3 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona Electric and BYD Atto 3?
The BYD Atto 3 is the cheapest at $39,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $6,010.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the most range at 370km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Hyundai Kona Electric accepts the highest DC charging at up to 100kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Atto 3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Hyundai Kona Electric, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Atto 3 has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Atto 3 makes the most power at 150kW.
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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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