BYD did well at the 2026 CarExpert Choice Awards, with two of its models winning awards and a third getting the nod as a finalist.
The solid performance follows a strong showing in last year’s inaugural CarExpert Choice Awards, when four BYD models were named finalists – though none took home category awards.
This year, the recently launched Atto 1 electric hatch beat out the GAC Aion V and MG 4 for the title of Best Affordable EV, while the plug-in hybrid Sealion 6 mid-size SUV toppled the GWM Haval H6 PHEV and MG HS Super Hybrid to become our Best Affordable PHEV SUV.
And while the popular plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab wasn’t our overall pick for Best Electrified Ute, it was a close runner-up.
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This trio of vehicles is a neat cross-section of the Chinese brand’s growing model lineup.
The Atto 1 is the brand’s smallest and most affordable model in Australia, while the Shark 6 is one of its most expensive and by far its largest. The Sealion 6 sits somewhere in the middle.
While BYD initially launched only electric vehicles (EVs) here, it has added plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) which have proved extremely popular, too. This winning trio offers a mix of both.
The Atto 1 certainly generated a lot of buzz when it was launched here late in 2025 with a base price – just $23,990 before on-road costs – that made it Australia’s most affordable EV.
But the Atto 1 has more than just a low, low price.
“The BYD Atto 1 Premium is exactly the sort of EV that Australia needs more of,” said CarExpert founder Alborz Fallah.
“It’s affordable, efficient, easy to drive and genuinely useful as a city car. It doesn’t try to be a long-distance family SUV, and it doesn’t need to. It makes the most sense as a first EV, a second family car, or a low-cost urban commuter for someone who can charge at home.
“It’s quiet, comfortable, zippy, easy to park, efficient and better built than its price suggests.
“The most important thing is that it doesn’t feel like BYD saved money on the electric drivetrain. That’s what makes the Atto 1 so convincing.
“For the money, this could be the best entry-level EV available in Australia. It’s not just cheap, it’s good.”
The Sealion 6 scored a win despite the flurry of activity in the mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV segment in which it competes.
For many years, it was just the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by its lonesome. Earlier this decade, more rivals entered the fray but sales volumes remained middling.
While BYD is a PHEV pioneer, it was later than some rivals in entering the mid-size PHEV SUV segment in Australia. Nevertheless, the Sealion 6 deserves credit for helping spark major growth in this segment.
It was launched in 2024, and since then has had to contend with a raft of new or updated rivals, some of which even undercut it on price. We still gave it the nod, however, because of its all-round competence.
The Sealion 6 boasts a range of smooth and efficient PHEV powertrains, and a spacious and comfortable interior with a quality feel.
Of course, it’s affordable too, priced from $42,990 to $52,990 before on-roads. You don’t need to step up to the top of the range to get an impressive mid-size PHEV SUV, either.
“Compared to similarly priced rivals, this entry-level Essential grade still feels more refined and better rounded, from its performance to its tech,” said marketplace editor James Wong in his recent review.
“It’s a very affordable yet solid PHEV for those giving the powertrain technology a first go, because it offers plenty of EV range, solid feature and tech levels, and plenty of space for the family.”
Finally, we can’t forget about the Shark 6. Buyers certainly haven’t.
Launched early in 2025, the Shark 6 stormed up the sales charts and continues to outsell its rivals in the growing PHEV ute segment – including the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV which we ultimately gave the nod to for Best Electrified Ute.
The Shark 6 dominates this segment in sales despite having had a head start on its rivals of only a few months, demonstrating the Shark 6 has an ‘it’ factor that seems to really resonate with Australian buyers.
“It’s a well-sorted thing, and adds another choice for buyers needing a vehicle that can be a workhorse during the week, and a family car over the weekend – all while keeping fuel bills to a minimum, but without the constraints that come with an electric vehicle,” said road test editor Ben Zachariah.
Our voting was conducted before the Shark 6 lineup was expanded with a more powerful, more capable Performance flagship, plus a cab/chassis body style. We’ll have to see if that shakes up the results in next year’s CarExpert Choice Awards.
BYD continues to expand its local lineup at a rapid rate as it rockets up the sales charts, offering an increasingly deep bench of commendable models, so we wouldn’t be surprised if there were more trophies to come.
