Images
1 / 6
The Atto 2 is perhaps the most crucial model yet for Chinese maker BYD. A compact yet spacious B-segment EV, it competes in a crowded small electric crossover class - and might initially not much stand out, until you take a closer look.
+ More
Detailed ratings
Compact Full Electric Cars
Background
BYD has come a long way in a very short time. It's Britain's fastest growing car brand, a technology-focused maker rapidly plugging the remaining gaps in its EV-focused model line-up. That needed bolstering in the B-sector for compact electric hatches. In this segment, BYD's smallest car, the Dolphin, is a little too small and their original model, the Atto 3, is a little too big. Hence the crucial importance of this car, created to hit the sweet spot between those two designs; welcome to the Atto 2.
It's known in its Chinese home market as the 'Yuan Up'. For Europe, we thought it might bear a marine-derived name, like BYD's other most recent models, but no, the 'Atto' theme has been reprised (derived from the word 'attosecond', which apparently is one quintillionth of a second). Also reprised is the company's clever Blade battery technology that sees the battery integrated as part of the car's chassis, rather than merely being plonked onto it. Those underpinnings are familiar too, the same e-Platform 3.0 set-up as we've seen in the Seal and the Sealion 7. But what has BYD's 120,000-strong engineering team done with it here? Let's find out.
+ More
Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 27000 | 27000 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 99 | 99 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 194 | 194 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4310 | 4310 |
| Width (mm) | 1830 | 1830 |
| Height (mm) | 1675 | 1675 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 400 | 400 |
Driving experience
Since BYD is pitching the Atto 2 as 'an urban second car', you might be surprised to find that it has as much as 174bhp on tap, with 290Nm of torque. That's enough to dispatch 62mph in 7.9s en route to 99mph. Of far more interest to the target audience will be the projected range figure of the mainstream 'Boost' model's 50.1kWh battery - up to 210 miles. If that's not enough, there's a 'Comfort' version with a larger battery offering up to 261 miles of range. To maximise these figures, there's the usual regenerative braking system settings, but even in 'High', this isn't fierce enough to facilitate 'one-pedal' driving. There are four drive modes - 'Eco', 'Normal', 'Sport' and 'Snowfield', each of which slightly changes steering feel and throttle response. Around town, you'll appreciate the light steering and the tight 5.2m turning circle.
As usual with modern cars these days, there are various intrusive drive assist modes - which include commands to 'keep your eyes on the road' even when you're merely looking at the centre screen. There are some unusual touches too - like the way you can alter the indicator sound. Despite the tall stance, expect body roll to be well-controlled thanks to the way the Blade battery is incorporated into the structure of the car. And the braking system's seamless moderation has attracted praise.
+ More
Design and build
You probably won't choose an Atto 2 if you want to make a statement to the neighbours. After the Seal, we'd hoped for something very avant-garde from the BYD's 'Black Crystal' Shenzhen design hub, but trendiness here is limited to detail stuff; like the intertwined 'Chinese knot' tail lights, the 'floating' roof design and the flush door handles. Size-wise, it's just about second car family-sized - think Hyundai Kona or Kia EV3. The Atto 2 is 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall and sits on quite large 17-inch wheels. The daytime running light strips, pronounced side sills and a silvered rear skid plate provide finishing touches.
The interior is well finished but disappointingly conservative and dark. But is redeemed by neat details - the crystal gear selector, G-Wagen-style grab handles and a large panoramic glass roof. And by a class-leading 12.8-inch central touchscreen that as usual with a BYD can rotate to display portrait or landscape; and sets the class standard for media connectivity. For instance, you can stream YouTube videos through it, attend Zoom meetings and even use it to sing karaoke, via an added microphone accessory. Another clever touch is a way that you can just cabin temperature by placing three fingers anywhere on the screen surface and dragging icons about. We'd still rather have physical buttons though.
Behind the steering wheel is an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel which, as usual with Chinese models, is rather over-burdened with small digits. The door bins are a little small, but you're well provided for with powerful USB ports.
As you'd hope given the boxy shape and the 2,620mm wheelbase length, the back seat is quite roomy, though the bench doesn't slide. Still, there's enough leg space for six foot adults, though you'd struggle to fit in three of them. The back rest is a little upright and the seat bases could use a touch more under-thigh support, but otherwise it's fine for the kind of car this is. Out back, there's a 400-litre boot, with an adjustable-height floor, extendable to 1,340-litres with the bench folded.
+ More
Market and model
Expect to need around £27,000 for the 50.1kWh 'Boost' version that most customers will want. You'd budget around £31,000 for the bigger-battery 'Comfort' model. That might look quite expensive compared to smaller EV hatches like the Citroen e-C3 and the Fiat Grande Panda, but the Atto 2 is a slightly larger car than those two. And it's decent value if you're looking at more comparably-sized models like the Skoda Elroq and the Hyundai Kona Electric. BYD won't be offering the UK the base 'Active' trim level that's available elsewhere in Europe.
As you would expect from BYD, there's lots of equipment fitted as standard. Including 17-inch alloy wheels, and an 8.8-inch digital instrument screen, adaptive cruise control and a rotating 12.8-inch central infotainment monitor with wireless 'Apple Carplay' and 'Android Auto', 4G Internet access and the company's 'BYD DiLink' suite of media systems. You can also tick off a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, a 360-degree parking system, all-round parking sensors and high beam assist. Drive assist and safety features are many, including autonomous emergency braking, a driver monitoring system, blind spot detection, Lane keep assist, Rear Cross traffic alert, Traffic sign recognition - and even Hill descent control. Plus a full suite of airbags, including a front centre airbag. We said there was a lot.
+ More
Cost of ownership
As usual with a BYD, the battery used here is of the unique-to-BYD lithium-ion-phosphate 'Blade' variety, which incorporates cells mounted in the strips directly to the pack. Which, the Chinese maker says, allows for a much higher cell density than a conventional battery could offer. Plus the brand says its powertrain is 89% 'energy efficient' and the kerb weight (1,570kg) is reasonably lightweight for this class of EV. So a class leadingly-high driving range then? Afraid not. The 210 mile range from the mainstream 'Boost' model's 50.1kWh pack is reasonably segment-competitive, but way off this sector's leaders. And you'll need to be proactive with the 'High' regen brake setting and the 'Eco' drive mode to achieve it. It's 261 miles for the bigger-battery 'Comfort' version.
To preserve driving range in cold conditions, a heat pump is standard (which draws want for the cabin from the surrounding ambient air and is something that's normally a pricey extra in this segment). That's an unusual standard fitment in this class and BYD reckons it could preserve range by 10-20% in colder months.
You'd think that BYD building, designing and owning this car's entire set of EV drivetrain components (including battery and semiconductors) might allow the company to make the Atto 2 the first car in its segment to offer a truly modern 800V electrical architecture capable of allowing charging with the new breed of ultra-rapid DC public chargers - something we've already seen with only-slightly-larger Hyundai and Kia models. But no, it's the same conventional 400V system as everyone else uses - and the entry 'Boost' model only gets it with an 11kW on-board charger providing for a relatively feeble 65kW DC charging speed. That means a 10-80% charge will take 37 minutes. AC charging from a typical 7.4kW home wallbox will take about eight hours. The Atto 2 has V2L technology, so small devices can be plugged into the car's drive battery.
There's a six month/90,000 mile warranty, while the battery gets an eight year/120,000 mile warranty.
+ More
Summary
There are lots of reasons why you might like an Atto 2. It's practical, comfortable, easy to drive and competitive on EV range, particularly if you factor in the standard heat pump most rivals charge you a lot more for. It's also comes with a great warranty and is very well equipped, particularly when it comes to a level of media provision that embarrasses quite a few obvious rivals.
It's a pity though, that BYD didn't style the car more imaginatively. Or give it the kind of characterful interior your find on some of its other models. And the relatively slow charging speed is particularly disappointing from a self-proclaimed 'tech brand'. Still, you might feel that the many driver assist features compensate for that. And there's decent value pricing and eager performance too. BYD has almost created a class leader here, but for a few areas the company still has to work on. But it's got close enough to that goal to really worry the more established opposition.
+ More
Have you considered these alternative models...
Find a Review
We have over 500 new and used car reviews to help you find your next car.
Browse reviews and model guides for all makes
