Chinese car giant BYD surprised many last year with details of a small hatchback model that was spotted testing in China and was destined to compete in Japanās unique Kei car market. It was later Ā unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show as the 2026 BYD Racco, which translates from Japanese to BYD āSea Otterā.
Now, more details have come to light about the 20-kWh battery-pack-equipped Racco, whichĀ Best Car Channel Japan shared on YouTube and reshared by Sakura Yae on X.
In a new video of the almost 3.4 metre long city car from Japan, details around the sliding door, the rear folding and sliding seats as well as the car packing an umbrella in the rear were shared.
The rear doors of the car slide along the length of the car, making it easier for passengers to get in and out. Thatās electrically operated as well, and is usually a feature seen in more premium peoplemovers/MPV.
In the rear, there is also adjustable seating, which allows for more cargo space in the boot or more legroom for passengers.
These seats can also be folded and stacked, allowing the Racco to be more flexible in the back for those moving or transporting items.
BYD has also made it easier for families to include an umbrella holder in the rear, with the umbrella coming in as standard. This is also something found in more premium models, priced much higher than what the Racco is expected to be priced at.
This model is designed specifically for the Japanese market, where competition in this popular segment is quite high. BYD is really amping up the focus on this smaller EV for the Japanese market to begin with, but derivatives of this could make it to other markets globally down the track.
On BYD Raccoās Japan website, the company shares what this model could bring to families wanting a cleaner electric commuting car: āDaily shopping, commuting, picking up and dropping off children, and even on holidays. Cleaner. Smarter. More environmentally friendly. The future isnāt just about big cars. A small EV revolution begins.ā
The design aspects of the car are also shared: āOur goal was to āprovide the best minicar in the EV category to everyone.ā To achieve this, the first thing we did was to develop an EV-exclusive Super Tall x Sliding Door package.ā
The ease of getting in and out is important for smaller Kei cars, so the sliding door will be a unique addition that may encourage buyers in that segment to test-drive the Racco.
Last month, at a car show in Tokyo, BYD revealed that the Racco will come equipped with two battery packs. The smaller 20 kWh pack delivers around 200 km of range, and the larger 30 kWh pack delivers around 300 km of range.
Thatās plenty of range for most city drives, and the car is expected to have both AC and DC charging capabilities for top-ups.Ā
Earlier reports hinted at DC charging speeds of up to 100 kW on these small battery packs, but that is likely to be confirmed when full specs are released in the coming months.
Given that many of the Kei car models in Japan are powered by an engine with up to 660 cc of capacity, an electric offering by BYD could really help put BYD on Japanese consumersā shortlist in the years to come, as the brand looks at big expansion plans in what appears to be one of the toughest markets globally for foreign brands.
Detailed specifications and pricing will be announced in the coming months, marking BYDās first major step toward models designed and engineered for specific global markets.
BYD Racco EV Static Review on Best Car Channel YouTube
RizĀ is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.