- BYD NZ has announced a PHEV version of the Atto 2 will be joining its local range.
- The plug-in hybrid will join the all-electric version of the Atto 2 launched earlier this year.
- It will be available in two models, including an entry to the range that starts for less than $35,000.
BYD Auto New Zealand has confirmed that its compact SUV lineup is expanding with the introduction of the Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid. Scheduled to arrive in local showrooms from early September 2026, the new variant joins the fully electric BYD Atto 2 EV that was launched in the New Zealand market earlier this year.
Unlike the pure battery-electric model, the Atto 2 DM-i uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor, allowing drivers to operate on battery power for daily commuting and switch to hybrid power for longer journeys. BYD claims the system provides a total combined driving range of up to 1000 kilometres.
The Atto 2 DM-i will be offered in New Zealand in two distinct variants, with the entry-level Essential priced from $34,990 and the higher-specification Premium starting from $42,990.
Both models will use BYD's high efficiency "Xiaoyun" 1.5-litre petrol engine and a single electric motor driving the front wheels with a total power and torque output of 145kW and 300Nm.
The entry-level Essential variant features a 7.85kWh Blade battery, which is good for a 40 kilometre all-electric range and boasts an overall combined range of 930 kilometres. The Essential maintains the five-seat packaging, standard boot capacity, and the safety and driver-assistance systems carried over from the battery-electric version.
The Premium variant is equipped with a significantly larger 18kWh battery pack, which increases the electric-only driving range to approximately 90 kilometres - enough for many drivers to manage standard daily commuting entirely on electricity - and the overall range to 1000 kilometres. The Premium grade also features cabin upgrades that include a larger rotating touchscreen and an enhanced audio system.
"The arrival of the Atto 2 DM-i is another important step in breaking down the barriers to electrification for New Zealanders," said Warren Willmot, General Manager of BYD Auto NZ.
"We know Kiwi drivers want the benefits of going electric with lower running costs, a smoother, quieter drive and cutting-edge technology, without giving up the flexibility they're used to. The Atto 2 DM-i delivers exactly that, at a price point that puts it well within reach of everyday New Zealand families."
The first shipments of the Atto 2 DM-i are scheduled to arrive in New Zealand at the end of August, with demonstrator vehicles expected at nationwide dealerships for public viewing and test drives in September. Interested buyers can register via the brand's local website.
The new plug-in hybrid SUV is the latest addition to BYD's rapidly growing local range, which currently includes the smaller Atto 1, the newly released Atto 3 Evo, the Sealion SUV lineup, the Seal 6 wagon, and the Shark 6 ute range.
