We street check the newest automotive from BYD’s rising steady – the all-electric Atto 2 compact SUV…
You’ve bought at hand it to BYD. In simply two years, the large Chinese language know-how firm has established itself within the UK with a 2% market share and 88 dealerships.
The most recent addition to the line-up – the BYD Atto 2 – means the model now has seven fashions (all 100% electrical, aside from one plug-in hybrid).
Marketed as an “city electrical SUV”, the newcomer is up in opposition to some severe competitors, together with the 2025 World Automobile of the Yr winner, the Kia EV3, plus the Skoda Elroq, Hyundai Kona Electrical, Ford Puma Gen-E, Volvo EX30, and MG ZS EV.
At first look, the BYD Atto 2 bears greater than a passing resemblance to a different rival, the Good #1.
Properly-proportioned and looking out very European, at a beginning worth of £30,850, it represents very good worth for cash.
Not solely is it generously outfitted, nevertheless it’s sensible too with glorious area for rear passengers and baggage. At launch solely the entry-level Enhance model is obtainable, however a Consolation spec will comply with quickly.
Enhance makes use of a 51.1kWh battery, giving as much as 214 miles of WLTP vary (or as much as 302 miles in metropolis driving).
It’s paired with an 82kW DC quick charger, able to topping up from 30% to 80% in round half-hour. Consolation will get a bigger 64.8kWh battery with as much as 261 miles of WLTP vary.
It additionally fees sooner, due to a 155kW DC charger, which might get you from 30% to 80% in as little as 21 minutes. Each fashions are front-wheel drive, with energy outputs of 174bhp (Enhance) and 201bhp (Consolation), which is nice for a 0-62mph time of seven.9 seconds.
As normal, the BYD Atto 2 comes with a warmth pump for better effectivity in colder climate, wi-fi telephone charging, heated steering wheel/entrance seats, 360 view digicam, 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there’s ample area for 5 folks, a helpful 400-litre boot (increasing to 1,340 litres with the rear seats down), and a full suite of driver help and security know-how.
Unusually for an EV, the driving force’s seat adjusts just about as excessive or low as you want, which fits me as a result of I choose a extra involving decrease driving place.
A big panoramic sunroof offers the cabin a brilliant really feel, and it’s classier than you would possibly anticipate due to vegan leather-based seats and fabric, and soft-touch surfaces.
As is extra usually the case nowadays, there are minimal bodily buttons, switches and dials, and too many driving necessities are managed by way of the central touchscreen.
Consequently, the over-sensitive driver distraction warning turns into all-too acquainted as you swipe and prod.
Fortunately, drive mode choice is by way of a button within the centre console under the display, together with the beginning/cease, quantity management, and hazard warning.
The infotainment system itself isn’t one of the best, however works effectively sufficient, whereas the graphics and font used within the driver’s show are on the small, fussy aspect, and there aren’t sufficient display format choices obtainable.
On the street, the BYD Atto 2 is refined and a doddle to drive round city, not simply because it zips away from the lights, however visibility is nice, it’s agile, the steering is gentle and it has a decent turning circle.
The trip is delicate and bouncy, and somewhat unsophisticated at instances. As an illustration, it can thud alongside poor surfaces.
For essentially the most half, it’s nice sufficient, and feels steady. In actual fact, push it in tougher corners, and physique management is respectable, although it’s unlikely to place a smile in your face.
There are just a few drive modes obtainable, together with Eco, Regular and Sport, plus “Snowfield”, which I assume gives extra traction in slippery situations.
Sport is ok for brief bursts, however Eco or Regular are finest for on a regular basis driving the place extracting most miles from a cost is the precedence.
Lastly, the brakes are price a point out. Sadly, there no one-pedal brake mode, which is very helpful in metropolis driving, however extra typically, they’re responsive and predictive, with the transition between regenerative braking and mechanical brakes nearly seamless (usually not the case with EVs).
Only for the document, if you happen to’re up for exploring the infotainment system, there are settings for the brakes and steering (Consolation, Sport), plus brake regen. Name me quaint, however paddles on the steering wheel are way more sensible for tweaking brake regeneration.
My check over quite a lot of roads in outer London and the house counties instructed that the BYD Atto 2’s claimed vary is fairly correct, however I would wish per week or so with the automotive to supply a greater estimate.
Broadly talking, I’d anticipate a 15-20% lower in vary in diversified driving, however within the metropolis the official WLTP mixed determine may simply rise.
Both approach, 214 miles places the Atto 2 on the decrease finish of the league when in comparison with its rivals, although the fast recharging instances sweeten the capsule.
Finally, if large bang in your buck and practicality are extra necessary than outright vary to you, the Atto 2 nonetheless is sensible.
And if you would like peace of thoughts, all BYDs are lined for as much as six years or, 93,120 miles (whichever comes first), whereas the battery will get an eight-year/120,000-mile guarantee.
Verdict: The 100% electrical BYD Atto 2 is surprisingly spacious, generously outfitted and delivers nice worth for cash. Extra convincing as a compact SUV for city and metropolis dwellers than an enticing driver’s automotive, it ought to promote effectively and is yet one more instance of BYD’s exceptional progress in simply two years. BYD UK
