UK Drive: BYD’s Atto 2 is a no-nonsense EV

What is it?

While many electric vehicles feel spaceship-like to drive and live with, the BYD Atto 2 aims to be a little different. Arriving as the Chinese firm’s smallest and cheapest model, the Atto 2 is there to step in where your traditional petrol or diesel-powered crossover may leave off.

BYD has already made a firm impact on the UK’s EV market with its range of long-range models, but what can the Atto 2 bring to the party? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

BYD describes the Atto 2 as an ‘electric compact EV’ and, at just over 4.3 metres, it measures in around the same length as the Volkswagen T-Roc, putting it squarely at the smaller end of the SUV scale. However, with its boxy dimensions, the Atto 2 has been designed to offer bags of interior space and headroom, despite this compact footprint.

Underpinned by BYD’s Blade battery technology – which provides longer ranges and the ability to charge to 100 per cent each time without battery degradation – the Atto 2 still gets many of the top-end features that you’d get from the rest of the firm’s range, too.

What’s under the bonnet?

There are two specifications of Atto 2 to choose from – Boost and Comfort. Boost brings a 51.1kWh battery and a range of up to 214 miles, while Comfort increases that battery size to 64.8kWh and, as a result, you get a claimed range of up to 267 miles. Many buyers will likely opt for the latter, though prices between the two do differ a fair bit – Boost cars start at £30,850, while Comfort models start at £34,950.

Things change in terms of charging speed between the two as well. Boost cars can only accept speeds of up to 82kW, while Comfort models get this upgraded to 155kW. It means a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 38 minutes for the former, or 25 minutes for the latter. It’ll make a big difference when you’re in a hurry to charge, that’s for sure.

What’s it like to drive?

We’re behind the wheel of the cheaper Boost model, which gets a single front-mounted electric motor with 174bhp, so it’s reasonably powerful. When you need to, you can get from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds, in fact, so it’s got the right amount of performance for a car of this type. Everything in the Atto 2 feels designed to be as easy to use as possible; the brakes aren’t overly sharp but get you slowed down in good enough time and there’s lots of forward visibility to enjoy. The gear selector can be a little dim-witted at times, mind you, and quite often we found ourselves having to repeatedly shift the column-mounted selector to get it to enable drive.

It’s a comfortable experience overall, though. The Atto 2 feels designed for the city and this comes to the fore in the way this car handles bumps and potholes. It’s quite a soft setup overall, however, so go a little quicker and the Atto 2 will produce some noticeable lean through the bends.

How does it look?

Inkeeping with the rest of the BYD range, the Atto 2’s styling is hardly what you’d call controversial. There’s a de facto full-width rear lightbar – a feature which feels as though it’s required by law in the compact crossover class – while at the front, you’ve got slim headlights.

However, the Atto 2’s chunky proportions do give it a feel of a chunky compact off-roader, even if it’s never going to put one wheel onto tricky terrain. Just four colours are available to choose from, so there’s not much scope for personalisation. However, at least ‘Hiking Green’ offers buyers a slightly interesting choice.

What’s it like inside?

Much like other BYD vehicle interiors, everything in the Atto 2’s interior is plain and straightforward. Of course, you’ve got a large central screen equipped on all models and another readout ahead of the driver, with both providing good levels of feedback and information. The material quality isn’t too bad, either, but the good news is that everything feels well put together. There’s also loads of storage available, with deep side pockets and a usefully-placed smartphone pad which incorporates wireless charging.

At 400 litres in Boost models or 450 litres in Comfort versions, boot space isn’t bad, either. You can also fold down the rear seats flat to increase this to 1,340 and 1,370 litres respectively, adding some extra flexibility in the process.

What’s the spec like?

As touched upon earlier, which specification of Atto 2 you choose plays a big part in how much range you’ll be getting. However, aside from this, equipment levels are good across the board. Boost cars, for instance, get a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, as well as a 360-degree around-view parking camera and that huge 12.8-inch touchscreen which can be rotated between portrait and landscape orientations.

Comfort models get tinted rear windows and driver lumbar adjustment, but the real change with this grade is the battery. Remember, too, that you also get a faster maximum charge rate and a larger boot, too.

Verdict

The BYD Atto 2 is an honest and easy-to-get-along-with electric vehicle. As an entry into the bustling crossover segment, it offers good equipment levels and a comfort-focused driving experience that we’d imagine most drivers would like.

It boils down to which specification works best for you. However, with its improved range, more useful charging speed and increased practicality, we reckon that Comfort-specification cars make the most sense in the Atto 2 line-up.