BYD ATTO 2 Boost

By Bill McCarthy

As more Chinese brands arrive on UK shores, shaking up the old order like punk rock did to music in the 1970s, some are becoming victims of their own success. Newcomers are aping their breakthroughs, and even BYD – one of the first of the new wave – is facing stiff competition, despite only arriving in Britain in 2023.

Earlier this year, BYD launched the upgraded ATTO 3. Now the ATTO 2 ‘super hybrid’ has taken a bow. It comes complete with an upgraded Blade battery and a highly competitive price tag, and of course, the comprehensive six years or 93,750 miles warranty.

Two powertrain options
The ATTO 2 offers two hybrid setups. In Active spec, the Blade Battery capacity is 7.8 kWh, with maximum system power of 166 PS (122 kW). This version delivers a WLTP pure-electric range of 24 miles and a combined range of 577 miles.

The Boost model upgrades to an 18 kWh battery, increasing system power to 212 PS (156 kW) and achieving a WLTP pure-electric range of 55 miles, with a combined range of up to 621 miles.

Charging the 7.8 kWh battery with a standard 7 kW home wallbox takes roughly 75 minutes. In contrast, the larger 18 kWh battery found in Boost models can be fully charged from 15% to 100% in three hours when using a 6.6 kW AC charger.

Design and first impressions
Stylish without being show-stopping, the ATTO 2 is compact yet roomy. It has a striking front end with a revised grille, LED headlights,  and eye-catching alloys. The rear adds a roof spoilerand full-width light bar. 

The latest powertrain all but eliminates range anxiety – a feature explained enthusiastically by UK Country Manager, Bono Ge at the launch. He talked me through the technology in exhaustive detail.
The key takeaway is that the car is powered by an electric motor, which can be plugged in or charged via the petrol engine as the battery depletes. When circumstances demand, both power sources work together to deliver an extra boost.

On the road
Putting the compact SUV through its paces around the Home Counties consisted of a mix of twisting narrow lanes, Cotswold villages and motorway driving. The car proved comfortable, with well-weighted steering and little body roll on sweeping bends.
Getting familiar with the controls was a challenge on a short drive – the now-familiar bings, bongs and warnings were constantly in the background.
It’s an irritant that can be managed, and a new owner could personalise it quickly.

Acceleration is decent, with the Active model achieving 0-62 mph in 9.1 seconds and the Boost cutting that to 7.5 seconds.
However, there was a noticeable lag, waiting for the power to kick in,  when overtaking – I had a near miss on a country lane trying to pass a tractor.. Also, floor the pedal and thee a touch of wheelspin.

Interior and cabin quality
The cabin is spacious and high-quality. The door trims feature a mix of soft-touch materials and harder plastics, while the seats are trimmed, depending on the model, with fabric or faux leather. They are electrically adjustable and comfortable, while head and legroom is good, giving the feel of a bigger vehicle. I’m not that tall, but a six-footer should feel pretty comfortable.

The brains of the vehicle are an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.8-inch touchscreen with AI-powered voice control that manages infotainment, connectivity and a host of menus to personalise the car setup. 
The Boost version driven here adds a panoramic glass roof. Active trim includes LED lights, 16-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors with a camera. Boost adds 17-inch wheels, front sensors, a 360-degree camera, heated electric front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, a wireless charger and 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load capability – handy for powering kettles or grills.

Practicality and safety
Sitting in the B-segment  for compact SUVs, the boot offers 425 litres, expanding to 1,335 litres with the rear seats folded..
Safety features abound, including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Parking is aided by front and rear sensors, with a 360-degree camera on Boost models. Passive protection includes six airbags, ABS and electronic stability control. ISOFIX and i-Size anchor points are fitted in the rear seats.

Verdict
The ATTO 2 looks good, is competitively priced, spacious, well equipped and offers great practicality. But the hesitant overtaking and overly chatty safety beeps stop it from being genuinely fun to drive – but its not a hot hatch, after all.