We road test the latest car from BYD’s growing stable – the all-electric Atto 2 compact SUV…
You’ve got to hand it to BYD. In just two years, the giant Chinese technology company has established itself in the UK with a 2% market share and 88 dealerships.
The latest addition to the line-up – the BYD Atto 2 – means the brand now has seven models (all 100% electric, except for one plug-in hybrid).
Marketed as an “urban electric SUV”, the newcomer is up against some serious competition, including the 2025 World Car of the Year winner, the Kia EV3, plus the Skoda Elroq, Hyundai Kona Electric, Ford Puma Gen-E, Volvo EX30, and MG ZS EV.
At first glance, the BYD Atto 2 bears more than a passing resemblance to another rival, the Smart #1.
Well-proportioned and looking very European, at a starting price of £30,850, it represents superb value for money.
Not only is it generously equipped, but it’s practical too with excellent space for rear passengers and luggage. At launch only the entry-level Boost version is available, but a Comfort spec will follow soon.
Boost uses a 51.1kWh battery, giving up to 214 miles of WLTP range (or up to 302 miles in city driving).
It’s paired with an 82kW DC fast charger, capable of topping up from 30% to 80% in around 30 minutes. Comfort will get a larger 64.8kWh battery with up to 261 miles of WLTP range.
It also charges faster, thanks to a 155kW DC charger, which can get you from 30% to 80% in as little as 21 minutes. Both models are front-wheel drive, with power outputs of 174bhp (Boost) and 201bhp (Comfort), which is good for a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds.
As standard, the BYD Atto 2 comes with a heat pump for greater efficiency in colder weather, wireless phone charging, heated steering wheel/front seats, 360 view camera, 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there’s ample space for five people, a useful 400-litre boot (expanding to 1,340 litres with the rear seats down), and a full suite of driver assistance and safety technology.
Unusually for an EV, the driver’s seat adjusts pretty much as high or low as you like, which suits me because I prefer a more involving lower driving position.
A large panoramic sunroof gives the cabin a bright feel, and it’s classier than you might expect thanks to vegan leather seats and upholstery, and soft-touch surfaces.
As is more often the case these days, there are minimal physical buttons, switches and dials, and too many driving essentials are controlled via the central touchscreen.
Consequently, the over-sensitive driver distraction warning becomes all-too familiar as you swipe and prod.
Thankfully, drive mode selection is via a button in the centre console below the screen, along with the start/stop, volume control, and hazard warning.
The infotainment system itself isn’t the best, but works well enough, while the graphics and font used in the driver’s display are on the small, fussy side, and there aren’t enough screen layout options available.
On the road, the BYD Atto 2 is refined and a doddle to drive around town, not just because it zips away from the lights, but visibility is good, it’s agile, the steering is light and it has a tight turning circle.
The ride is soft and bouncy, and a little unsophisticated at times. For instance, it will thud along poor surfaces.
For the most part, it’s pleasant enough, and feels stable. In fact, push it in more challenging corners, and body control is respectable, though it’s unlikely to put a smile on your face.
There are a few drive modes available, including Eco, Normal and Sport, plus “Snowfield”, which I assume provides more traction in slippery conditions.
Sport is fine for short bursts, but Eco or Normal are best for everyday driving where extracting maximum miles from a charge is the priority.
Finally, the brakes are worth a mention. Sadly, there no one-pedal brake mode, which is especially useful in city driving, but more generally, they are responsive and predictive, with the transition between regenerative braking and mechanical brakes almost seamless (often not the case with EVs).
Just for the record, if you’re up for exploring the infotainment system, there are settings for the brakes and steering (Comfort, Sport), plus brake regen. Call me old fashioned, but paddles on the steering wheel are much more practical for tweaking brake regeneration.
My test over a variety of roads in outer London and the home counties suggested that the BYD Atto 2’s claimed range is pretty accurate, but I would need a week or so with the car to offer a better estimate.
Broadly speaking, I’d expect a 15-20% decrease in range in varied driving, but in the city the official WLTP combined figure could easily rise.
Either way, 214 miles puts the Atto 2 at the lower end of the league when compared to its rivals, though the quick recharging times sweeten the pill.
Ultimately, if big bang for your buck and practicality are more important than outright range to you, the Atto 2 still makes sense.
And if you want peace of mind, all BYDs are covered for up to six years or, 93,120 miles (whichever comes first), while the battery gets an eight-year/120,000-mile warranty.
Verdict: The 100% electric BYD Atto 2 is surprisingly spacious, generously equipped and delivers great value for money. More convincing as a compact SUV for town and city dwellers than an engaging driver’s car, it should sell well and is yet another example of BYD’s remarkable progress in just two years. BYD UK
