I drove the BYD Atto 2 Comfort and one upgrade makes it a great electric SUV choice

Introduction

The worst thing about driving any electric car is when a perfect storm of factors combines to prevent charging. My most recent experience of this was while driving the original incarnation of BYD’s Atto 2 compact SUV – ironically on the way back from the launch of the new BYD Atto 2 Comfort. Long story short; while I managed to limp to a charger with just 1% battery left in my OG loaner, the new car was better. Joy of joys: it’s got a bigger battery.

However, it also has a healthy level of competition in this overcrowded segment. My fave would have to be the Kia EV3, but it’s much less affordable than Stellantis group cars including the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, Vauxhall Frontera and delightful Fiat Grande Panda.

Nevertheless, the improved BYD Atto 2 in its Comfort edition is an appealing proposition. On top of the larger 64.8 kWh battery, which delivers up to 267 miles of range, the car comes loaded with lots of goodies and it’s decent to drive. It also looks okay, although the design does border on the generic side compared to some of the cars mentioned above.

The styling

BYD has some cool cars on its product roster, with the Seal and Dolphin being particularly good on the eye. Things are a lot less inspiring when it comes to the Atto 2. The exterior is a by-numbers design affair, with generic lines that aren’t especially inspiring. That’s not to say I didn’t like it. In fact, the shape tells buyers exactly what to expect. There’s a fairly high-riding stance, making the Atto 2 easy to get in and out of. The tailgate at the back is also wonderfully easy for loading cargo in and out of. There’s lots of glass too, which provides driver and occupants with a really open and airy feel inside. Visibility is similarly excellent.

Pick around the BYD Atto 2 and there are a few design tweaks that help to lift it a bit. I liked the trim flourishes along the sills, the line of the headlights is nicely styled and at the back, the rear end looks quite stylish with a tailgate spoiler and a lean taillight bar running right across the car. Best of all, my car came with some decent alloy wheels wrapped in chunky rubber, which I hoped would make it more enjoyable to drive.

The interior is similarly workmanlike, but gives occupants everything they need, from chunky and comfortable seats front and rear to lots of cubby holes that make the Atto 2 undeniably practical. The boot space isn’t the biggest, but I thought it felt suited to average family types who would be able to get all their stuff in somewhere without too much fuss.

The drive

While the entry-level Boost trim comes with 214 miles of range, the better Atto 2 to head for is the Comfort. This delivers a much more realistic 267 miles. Anything over 200 miles always sounds good enough, but that extra 50 miles or so can be a godsend in situations like the one I mentioned at the top of the review. During my time with the bigger battery car, the BYD Atto 2 proved quite efficient, while it’s an absolute doddle to drive.

Engaging drive itself is done via a column-mounted lever, while all of the other controls fall nicely to hand and endorse the overall practical feel. It was immediately noticeable that this isn’t a car that wants or needs to be driven fast, but it’s impressive around town with a body shape and turning circle that delivers lots of agility when it comes to getting out of tight spots. The Atto 2 is good at taking on rougher road surfaces too, although this has to be done at lower speeds as the ride tended to be a bit squishy. Ideal for UK roads, mind.

Out on the open roads, the motorway is a so-so place to be in the BYD Atto 2. This is a high-up car that sits on sizeable rubber, so it feels a little wayward if it’s bullied around. Keep things sensible though and the Atto 2 rewards the driver with a surprisingly quiet and actually quite refined ride. Wind noise around the mirrors is apparent, however. Unsurprisingly, Eco mode will get the best from the battery but there’s even a Sport mode for anyone who feels like the Atto 2 would be better with marginally higher levels of pep.

The technology

While the way it’s presented might not pack in anything particularly innovative, the dashboard of the BYD Atto 2 comes with everything needed to keep tech fans happy. There’s a landscape-oriented infotainment screen dead centre in the dash, which with its 12.8in screen area offers up lots of control options. This is basically in place of buttons, so I needed to take some time out to get into the nuts and bolts of how it worked.

The graphics within this screen area and the digital display in front of the wheel were not bad, but as is the case with lots of Chinese models, the layout felt a bit busy and wasn’t always the easiest to read. I get the eagerness to offer lots of on-screen options, but usability while on the road wasn’t always as easy as hoped for. A common gripe.

Aside from that minor irritation, there was wireless phone charging, which was also cooled by a neat little vent, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be used wirelessly if you prefer to do your own thing. The built-in sat nav was actually pretty good though. Meanwhile, the audio system worked but didn’t dazzle and that wasn’t really a surprise as the BYD Atto 2 delivers everything in a low-key way, including the radio when you’re on a run. It’s perfectly fine, nonetheless.

BYD Atto 2 verdict

The BYD Atto 2 presented in its Comfort edition is a respectable improvement over the earlier incarnation. There’s better range for starters, which makes it more appealing although even with that, this isn’t a small SUV that’s especially suited to longer motorway runs. There’s comfort and respectable ride quality, but some wind noise to contend with at higher speeds.

However, it is more than capable at taking on urban scenarios, with lots of practicality making it ideally suited to couple or small families. The Atto 2 is a little uninspiring in the looks department, which in some ways could make it an attractive proposition if you’re faced with on-street parking in a city. It isn’t going to attract unwanted interest, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, it’s likeable enough.

BYD Atto 2 technical specifications

Powertrain	Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Battery	64.8kW
Power	201bhp
Torque	229lb ft
0-60mph	7.9 sec
Top speed	99mph
Range	267 miles
Charge rate	155 kW
Cargo volume	450 litres