All-new BYD Atto 2 makes going electric more affordable

Little more than a decade ago, Chinese cars were a long way behind their European counterparts, which made trying to catch up with those established brands a pointless exercise. So instead of trying, China skipped that step and went straight to developing the latest generation of EVs. The results have been astonishing, and the all-new BYD Atto 2 goes a long way to explaining why.

Despite BYD being new to the UK market, that intensive research and development in EV technology has translated into it offering one of the strongest propositions for lease drivers.

BYD has now revealed its most accessible SUV yet: the Atto 2.

The Atto 2 is a smart and agile urban electric car, with no compromise on comfort or specification. It’s available in two trim levels and features BYD’s innovative ‘Blade Battery’ technology and a whole new powertrain layout not usually found at the family car end of the market.

BYD’s innovative Blade Battery is designed to deliver class-leading safety, durability and performance in a more efficient way. And for the first time in the compact SUV segment, the Atto 2 features the latest cell-to-body (CTB) technology that integrates the battery completely into the chassis. The CTB layout means the top cover of the battery acts as the floor of the cabin, spreading the not-insignificant weight of the battery pack evenly between the four wheels for greater stability, better handling, and a smoother ride.

The actual battery you end up with will depend on your choice of trim level though, with BYD offering the new Atto 2 with either the entry-level 51.1kWh battery, or a larger 64.8kWh battery pack.

The smaller of the two is perfectly adequate for most people, offering a range of just over 210 miles – although BYD claim you can push that up to 300 miles if you’re just pottering around town – and an 82kW DC on-board charger, which means it can charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. The larger battery pack extends the range to around 260 miles between charges, and the addition of a 155kW on-board DC charger as standard reduces that same 30-80% charge time to a very respectable 21 minutes.

Blended with its compact dimensions and cutting-edge battery, the BYD Atto 2 comes highly equipped as standard across both trim levels.

Formidable level of specification

You can expect to find a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, an eight-speaker high-tech audio system, ‘Hi BYD’ intelligent voice control, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology for powering/charging external devices.

Entry-level ‘Boost’ models also feature 17-inch alloy wheels, heated steering wheel and heated front seats, and a 360 degree view camera. Upgrade to the ‘Comfort’ specification and you’ll also add a more supportive driver’s seat, electrically folding door mirrors, and rear privacy glass, as well as the larger battery option for greater range and faster charging. The new Atto 2 also features LED headlights, a panoramic roof, and a heat pump function.

The new BYD Atto 2 is available to order now, with first deliveries due from September onwards.

Well, it is if you opt for the entry-level ‘Boost’ trim anyway. It looks like BYD is concentrating on getting those first models out the door before the ‘Comfort’ trim is added to the delivery schedule later this year, so if you opt for one of those, you’ll have to wait a little longer before you can get behind the wheel.

You can find all our BYD lease deals here.