BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) vs Mitsubishi ASX (petrol): 5-year cost to own (NZ)

By Ivan H., EVCostIQ · reviewed against our public methodology · every source dated on this page

Over 5 years in New Zealand (14,000 km/yr), as of July 9, 2026, the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) is cheaper from day one — about $42,884 over 5 years vs $48,309 for the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol), a $5,425 difference.

No EV purchase rebate in NZ (the Clean Car Discount ended Dec 2023), and EVs now pay Road User Charges (~NZ$76/1,000 km). Both are reflected honestly — the RUC is included in the totals above. Source: NZTA.

Cheaper to own over 5 years · NZBYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) · $42,884 total · $5,425 less than the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol)

BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) vs Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) — where the money goes

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (NZD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost component	Electric · BYD Atto 1	Petrol · Mitsubishi ASX
Depreciation (estimated)	$17,394 (41%)	$15,355 (32%)
Charging / fuel	$4,922 (11%)	$15,800 (33%)
↳ of which charging loss	12% (~$591)	—
Maintenance	$2,247 (5%)	$4,501 (9%)
Insurance	$7,000 (16%)	$6,335 (13%)
Financing interest	$5,076 (12%)	$5,452 (11%)
Registration & fees	$6,245 (15%)	$865 (2%)
Total cost of ownership	$42,884	$48,309

When does the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) win?

This one isn't close: the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) undercuts the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) by $5,425 — about 11% of the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol)'s 5-year total.

At 14,000 km/yr the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) is already the cheaper car — drive more or keep it longer and its lead grows.

What decides the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) vs Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) verdict

One line outweighs everything else here: energy. It costs $4,922 of charging for the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) against $15,800 of petrol for the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) — a $10,878 swing to the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf), bigger than the $5,425 that separates the two 5-year totals. On the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf), energy alone is 11% of its $42,884 total; on the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) it is 33% of $48,309.

Registration & fees: BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) $6,245, Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) $865 — $5,380 the other way, to the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol).
Maintenance: BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) $2,247, Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) $4,501 — $2,254 more in the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf)'s favor.
Depreciation: BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) $17,394, Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) $15,355 — $2,039 the other way, to the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol).

Registration & fees is the Mitsubishi ASX (petrol)'s strong suit: $5,380 back, 99% of the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf)'s lead — just not enough to turn it. The Mitsubishi ASX (petrol) starts $2,000 behind the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $5,425. The BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) is ahead from the first year — $1,221 after year 1 — and finishes year 5 with the full $5,425 lead; the cumulative lines never cross.

BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) vs Mitsubishi ASX (petrol), side by side

Electric Lower 5-yr cost