Overview
The BYD Atto 2 is a compact electric crossover that expands the brand's growing line-up, sitting directly beneath the larger Atto 3 Evo as a high-riding equivalent to the Dolphin hatchback. Measuring 4.3 metres in length, this small SUV is positioned as a highly competitive option to established European and South Korean rivals like the Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq, and Volkswagen ID.3 Neo by leveraging aggressive pricing and high levels of standard equipment.
Design
The exterior of the Atto 2 adopts a more conservative, upright, and boxy silhouette than its larger sibling, focusing on maximum efficiency within a small footprint. The front end incorporates the signature Dragon Face design with sharp LED headlights connected by a prominent horizontal trim piece. Robust plastic cladding lines the wheel arches and lower doors to deliver a traditional crossover appearance, complemented by body-coloured accents around the car. The side profile features a floating roof look, while the rear adds intricate Möbius Ring LED tail-lights designed to be distinctive at night.
Interior
In a departure from the slightly strange layouts seen in other BYD models, the cabin of the Atto 2 embraces a more straightforward, conventional dashboard design. The centrepiece is the signature 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that rotates electronically between portrait and landscape orientations, running high-resolution graphics with crisp responsiveness. Material selection is mixed, combining sleek, eco-friendly vegan leatherette on major touchpoints with harder, scratch-resistant plastics on lower surfaces. Ergonomics are enhanced by a dual-level centre console that provides a dedicated wireless smartphone charging pad on top and a massive open storage shelf underneath alongside dual USB-C ports.
Performance & Powertrains
Built on the e-Platform 3.0 with a Cell-to-Body design and 8-in-1 electric powertrain, the Atto 2 offers two distinct FWD configurations. The entry-level Boost variant pairs a 51kWh Blade Battery with a 174 bhp electric motor, delivering a range of 214 miles. The higher-tier Comfort model upgrades to a 64kWh Blade Battery and a 201 bhp motor, increasing the range to 267 miles. Both variants share an identical 0-62 mph acceleration time of 7.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 99 mph. Charging speeds are vastly different between the two models. The Boost variant peaks at 82 kW, requiring 38 minutes to go from 10% to 80%, while the Comfort variant increases that to 155 kW, cutting the 10-80% charging time down to 25 minutes. The platform also includes Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability.
Practicality
Thanks to a 2,620 mm wheelbase, the interior maximises space efficiently, offering an elevated driving position and ample headroom and legroom for average-sized adults in the front and rear. Storage space includes deep side door bins, a well-sized glovebox, and dual central cupholders. The boot capacity is highly competitive for its size, providing 400 litres of cargo space. A dedicated underfloor storage compartment is integrated into the boot area to store charging cables neatly out of sight, and the rear seats fold down to unlock up to 1,370 litres of maximum utility.
Buying
The BYD Atto 2 is aggressively priced with the entry-level Boost variant starting at £30,875 and the longer-range Comfort model priced from £34,975. Standard equipment across both trims is remarkably generous, featuring a 360-degree view camera system, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a comprehensive electronic driver assistance suite. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the Comfort specification. It justifies its £4,100 premium over the Boost by providing an extra 53 miles of range and dropping charging times by more than 10 minutes, making it a much more capable and versatile all-rounder on longer motorway journeys.