BYD did properly on the 2026 CarExpert Alternative Awards, with two of its fashions profitable awards and a 3rd getting the nod as a finalist.
The strong efficiency follows a powerful displaying in final 12 months’s inaugural CarExpert Alternative Awards, when 4 BYD fashions have been named finalists – although none took house class awards.
This 12 months, the just lately launched Atto 1 electrical hatch beat out the GAC Aion V and MG 4 for the title of Greatest Inexpensive EV, whereas the plug-in hybrid Sealion 6 mid-size SUV toppled the GWM Haval H6 PHEV and MG HS Tremendous Hybrid to turn into our Greatest Inexpensive PHEV SUV.
And whereas the favored plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab wasn’t our general decide for Greatest Electrified Ute, it was a detailed runner-up.
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This trio of automobiles is a neat cross-section of the Chinese language model’s rising mannequin lineup.
The Atto 1 is the model’s smallest and most inexpensive mannequin in Australia, whereas the Shark 6 is one in all its costliest and by far its largest. The Sealion 6 sits someplace within the center.
Whereas BYD initially launched solely electrical automobiles (EVs) right here, it has added plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) which have proved extraordinarily common, too. This profitable trio gives a mixture of each.
The Atto 1 definitely generated a number of buzz when it was launched right here late in 2025 with a base worth – simply $23,990 earlier than on-road prices – that made it Australia’s most inexpensive EV.
However the Atto 1 has greater than only a low, low worth.
“The BYD Atto 1 Premium is strictly the kind of EV that Australia wants extra of,” stated CarExpert founder Alborz Fallah.
“It’s inexpensive, environment friendly, straightforward to drive and genuinely helpful as a metropolis automotive. It doesn’t attempt to be a long-distance household SUV, and it doesn’t must. It makes essentially the most sense as a primary EV, a second household automotive, or a low-cost city commuter for somebody who can cost at house.
“It’s quiet, snug, zippy, straightforward to park, environment friendly and higher constructed than its worth suggests.
“A very powerful factor is that it doesn’t really feel like BYD saved cash on the electrical drivetrain. That’s what makes the Atto 1 so convincing.
“For the cash, this could possibly be the very best entry-level EV obtainable in Australia. It’s not simply low cost, it’s good.”
The Sealion 6 scored a win regardless of the flurry of exercise within the mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV section during which it competes.
For a few years, it was simply the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by its lonesome. Earlier this decade, extra rivals entered the fray however gross sales volumes remained middling.
Whereas BYD is a PHEV pioneer, it was later than some rivals in coming into the mid-size PHEV SUV section in Australia. Nonetheless, the Sealion 6 deserves credit score for serving to spark main progress on this section.
It was launched in 2024, and since then has needed to deal with a raft of recent or up to date rivals, a few of which even undercut it on worth. We nonetheless gave it the nod, nevertheless, due to its all-round competence.
The Sealion 6 boasts a variety of clean and environment friendly PHEV powertrains, and a spacious and comfy inside with a high quality really feel.
In fact, it’s inexpensive too, priced from $42,990 to $52,990 earlier than on-roads. You don’t must step as much as the top quality to get a formidable mid-size PHEV SUV, both.
“In comparison with equally priced rivals, this entry-level Important grade nonetheless feels extra refined and higher rounded, from its efficiency to its tech,” stated market editor James Wong in his current overview.
“It’s a really inexpensive but strong PHEV for these giving the powertrain know-how a primary go, as a result of it gives loads of EV vary, strong characteristic and tech ranges, and loads of house for the household.”
Lastly, we are able to’t overlook concerning the Shark 6. Consumers definitely haven’t.
Launched early in 2025, the Shark 6 stormed up the gross sales charts and continues to outsell its rivals within the rising PHEV ute section – together with the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV which we finally gave the nod to for Greatest Electrified Ute.
The Shark 6 dominates this section in gross sales regardless of having had a head begin on its rivals of just a few months, demonstrating the Shark 6 has an ‘it’ issue that appears to essentially resonate with Australian patrons.
“It’s a well-sorted factor, and provides one other alternative for patrons needing a automobile that may be a workhorse throughout the week, and a household automotive over the weekend – all whereas preserving gasoline payments to a minimal, however with out the constraints that include an electrical automobile,” stated street check editor Ben Zachariah.
Our voting was performed earlier than the Shark 6 lineup was expanded with a extra highly effective, extra succesful Efficiency flagship, plus a cab/chassis physique type. We’ll need to see if that shakes up the leads to subsequent 12 months’s CarExpert Alternative Awards.
BYD continues to broaden its native lineup at a speedy price because it rockets up the gross sales charts, providing an more and more deep bench of commendable fashions, so we wouldn’t be stunned if there have been extra trophies to return.
