BYD Atto 2 first drive: an electric SUV that’s worth waiting for?
March 20, 2025 by Carwow staff
Car changing is a big deal
The BYD Atto 2 goes on sale in the UK later this year, and it’s shaping up to be great value for money – on paper, at least. Timon Werner-Pachmayr from Carwow Germany has been behind the wheel and shared their thoughts…
The BYD Atto 2 is a small electric SUV that’s got the tech, the gadgets, and the price tag to be a mighty tempting alternative to the likes of the Vauxhall Frontera Electric and MG4 EV.
Although UK prices haven’t been confirmed, it’s expected to start at less than £30,000, making it one of the more affordable electric SUVs on sale.
On the outside, the Atto 2 isn’t going to win any design awards. It’s a bit ‘meh’, lacking any definable design details that will make it stand out from any other SUV in the car park. However, the clean lines and smooth contours make it look modern enough, and the sizable panoramic roof is a nice touch for those who want to feel a bit more special.
Inside, the Atto 2 impresses with a minimalist approach – it’s clean with simple lines and a decent mix of materials. The cabin feels refreshingly uncluttered with most of the controls integrated into the centre touchscreen. The 10.1-inch display (growing to 12.8 inches in the Boost version) rotates 90 degrees – a BYD USP that’s either cool or silly depending on your outlook.
It’s all well-built, but it’s clear that BYD’s focus is on functionality, not opulence. The seats are comfy, the leather’s vegan, and there’s a good chunk of tech, but it’s definitely built to a budget.
Space is where the Atto 2 really stands out. Its compact size doesn’t hinder its ability to provide a surprising amount of room inside. With 400 litres of boot space, it’s practical enough for families and shopping trips. For context, that’s bigger than the MG4 EV and smaller than a Frontera Electric.
Taller people might struggle a bit with the low tailgate, but once the shopping is packed away and everyone’s inside, it’s comfortable – there’s plenty of legroom and headspace, especially in the back.
The driving position’s elevated enough to give you a great view of the road ahead, and there’s a decent amount of storage for your bits and bobs. However, the cupholders are a bit on the narrow side, and you might find the gear shifter in the way if you’re not careful. Still, for day-to-day driving, it’s a pretty practical choice.
As is often the case with more affordable electric cars, there’s a bit of a compromise to be made in terms of the batteries and motors. There’s enough power to get you from A to B with a bit of gusto, but it’s not particularly punchy.
The top speed of 100 mph is perfectly respectable given the UK’s 70mph motorway limit, but its small battery limits its range. Expect 150 miles or so in the real world, which is fine for city commutes but leaves you looking for charging stations if you’re planning anything longer. Charging is another weak spot, with a max charging speed of just 65 kW – the Skoda Elroq can hit 175kW, but it is a bit more expensive than the Atto 2 is expected to be.
Driving the Atto 2 is exactly what you’d expect from a city SUV: comfortable, quiet, and makes it easy to handle narrow streets. It’s not the most exciting car to drive, but it’s perfectly competent. The steering is light and ideal for city manoeuvring, but it lacks precision at higher speeds. It’s stable enough, though, with a solid feel on the road. When you push it a little, especially in wet conditions, the traction can struggle to keep up with the motor’s power, but for everyday driving, it does the job just fine.
So, is the BYD Atto 2 worth waiting for? Certainly, it hits the key attributes of a small electric city car by being easy to drive, reasonably practical and with enough range to go about your daily duties. If it comes in comfortably below £30,000 in the UK it could be well worth a look.
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