BYD Atto 2 130kW Boost 51kWh 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

The Atto 2 is perhaps the most crucial model yet for Chinese maker BYD. As 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.

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 for the EV version (there's also a PHEV model) 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 most of the company's other current models. But what has BYD's 120,000-strong engineering team done with it here? Let's find out.

Engines and Tech Spec

Since BYD is pitching the Atto 2 as 'an urban second car', you might be surprised to find that the full-EV version has as much as 174bhp on tap from its front-mounted motor, 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 51.1kWh battery - a modest figure of up to 214 miles. If that's not enough, there's a 'Comfort' version with the same motor but a larger 64.8kWh battery offering up to 261 miles of range. If you like the idea of an Atto 2 but don't want an EV, then you might be interested to know that this model also comes as a Plug-in Hybrid - a rather unique powertrain in a car this small. The DM-i powertrain in question will take the car up to 56 miles on battery power between charges, enabling this PHEV variant to be used much like an EV for suburban trips. That's with the 18.0kWh Boost version, which has 212PS. There's also a smaller 7.8kWh battery Active variant, with 166PS and a 25 mile EV range. Here though, we're focusing on the EV version. Out of town, you might hope that despite the tall stance, body roll would be well-controlled thanks to the way the Blade battery is incorporated into the structure of the car. But there's still plenty of pitch through the corners, so it's probably fortunate that the light, rather feel-less steering doesn't encourage you to power into them. Of course that light steering is nice to have in town, where you'll appreciate the relatively tight 10.5-metre turning circle. On the highway, there's quite a lot of wind and road noise but you'll appreciate the standard adaptive and intelligent cruise control system.

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 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 in the 'Boost' EV model, with an adjustable-height floor, extendable to 1,340-litres with the bench folded. With the 'Comfort' EV version, you get slightly more space - 450-litres and 1,370-litres. The DM-i PHEV has a slightly bigger 425-litre boot, extendable to 1,335-litres with the rear bench folded.

Market and Model

Expect to need around £31,000 for the 51.1kWh 'Boost' version of the EV variant that most customers will want. You'd budget around £35,000 for the bigger-battery 'Comfort' EV 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. The DM-i PHEV version costs much the same as the EV and is available with a choice of 7.8kWh (Active) or 18.0kWh (Boost) battery sizes. As you would expect from BYD, there's lots of equipment fitted as standard on all Atto 2 models. 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.

Cost of Ownership

As usual with a BYD, the battery used in the EV model 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 214 mile range from the mainstream 'Boost' model's 51.1kWh 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 on the EV model (a system 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 the Atto 2 EV'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 a relatively feeble 82kW DC charging speed. That means a 30-80% charge of the 'Boost's' 51.1kWh battery will take 30 minutes. AC charging from a typical 7.4kW home wallbox will take 7 hours 45 minutes with 'Boost' spec, which you can reduce to 5 hours 42 minutes with an 11kW supply. With the 64.8kWh 'Comfort' EV version, a faster 155kW on-board DC charger is fitted, allowing that top Atto 2 to charge in 21 minutes from 30 to 80%. AC charging from a typical 7.4kW home wallbox will take around 10 hours with 'Comfort' spec, which you can reduce to 7 hours 12 minutes with an 11kW supply. What about the Atto 2 DM-i PHEV? Well the WLTP-rated weighted combined cycle fuel economy figure is 130.7mpg, with CO2 emissions of 41g/km. Total driving range (with a fully charged battery and the 45-litre fuel tank topped up) for the smaller-battery Active model is 578 miles. For the bigger battery Boost version, BYD has got this figure up to the magic 1,000km level (621 miles). AC charging can take place at up to 3.3kW with the smaller-battery Active version, which will mean that a 15-100% single-phase home wallbox will replenish the battery in 2.7 hours. With the bigger-battery Boost variant, AC charging is possible at up to 6.6kW, so that 7.4kW wallbox will need 3 hours. Like the Atto 2 EV, the DM-i version has V2L technology, so small devices can be plugged into the car's drive battery. Across the line-up, 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.

Summary

There are lots of reasons why you might like an Atto 2. It's practical, comfortable, easy to drive and in full-electric form relatively OK on EV range, especially if you factor in the standard heat pump most rivals don't offer or charge you a lot more for. It's also comes with a great warranty and is exceptionally well equipped, particularly when it comes to a level of media provision that embarrasses quite a few obvious rivals. The option of a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain is also a unique selling point in this segment. It's a pity though, that BYD didn't style the car more imaginatively. Or give it the kind of characterful interior you'll 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 (as long as they don't irritate you too much). 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 offer a credible alternative to the more established opposition.