We drive the BYD Atto 2, the most affordable electric SUV from BYD

The pace of BYD is unstoppable. The Chinese manufacturer, which is -by a wide margin- the world’s leading seller of plug-in vehicles by volume, more than doubling the figures of Tesla (counting 100% electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which Tesla does not offer), has already overtaken Ford to become the third best-selling car brand in the world. Just ahead, within striking distance, is Volkswagen, and far further ahead, leading the ranking, is Toyota.

In the Spanish market, BYD is also doing very well: it started 2025 as the leading brand in electric vehicle sales thanks to the strong results of the BYD Dolphin and the BYD Atto 3, and with the Seal U DM-i increasing its market share: it is already the second best-selling plug-in hybrid model in Spain among private customers. But for 2025 the Chinese brand has planned important “reinforcements”.

The first of these has just gone on sale and we have already driven it: the BYD Atto 2, a 4.3-metre, fully electric SUV with a 177 CV motor that initially comes with a 45.1 kWh battery that allows a range of up to 312 km to be homologated, and with a starting price from 28,780 euros, excluding purchase incentives from the Plan MOVES. As a first impression, I can tell you that it positions itself as the most affordable SUV from BYD -it costs about 8,000 euros less than the Atto 3- and, at least for now, becomes the cheapest electric SUV in its category. It also stands out against its rivals for its good build quality, very complete equipment and spacious cabin.

On the downside, the Atto 2 in its launch versions is the one that can cover the fewest kilometres on a single charge, which limits its reach to mainly urban use, although in terms of performance, dynamic qualities and liveability, it would be a magnificent “car for everything” option. This will be the case until the Comfort version arrives in a few months, with a larger-capacity battery and an announced range of around 420 km, so the Atto 2 will be able to go head to head with its main rivals on range too. The battle with the Kia EV 3 for leadership in the category promises…

BYD Atto 2 range and prices

As I was saying, the Atto 2 is initially only sold with a 177 CV motor and a 45.1 kWh battery. You can choose between two trim levels, Active and Boost, both with the “Urban Edition” name for the launch in our market. A statement of intent from BYD, which wants to position the Atto 2 as an urban car, at least in this small-battery version. These are the prices, including the brand’s campaigns and discounts, excluding Plan MOVES:

• BYD Atto 2 Active Urban Edition: 28,780 euros
• BYD Atto 2 Boost Urban Edition: 30,280 euros

As is the norm across all BYD models, the equipment is very complete even in the entry version, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof with electric sunshade, electric seat adjustment, automatic main beam headlights, rear parking sensors, NFC access via key, card or mobile phone, synthetic leather upholstery, V2L functionality to supply electrical power to external devices, and an infotainment system with a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen.

For an extra 1,500 euros, the Boost trim adds heated front seats and steering wheel, an ambient interior lighting system, electrically folding mirrors, front parking sensors, a panoramic camera, wireless phone charging base (15 W), a more powerful audio system with eight speakers and a larger 12.8-inch infotainment screen. Without a doubt, these 1,500 euros are very well spent; the step up is worth it.

For the future Comfort version with 420 km of range, a price without discounts of 37,500 euros is announced, which, compared with the price of the Boost without discounts -which is 31,990 euros- represents an increase of 5,500 euros. Pending the final specifications of this version, which will also be more powerful, that price premium also includes some extra equipment compared with the Boost Urban Edition trim, such as a more powerful wireless smartphone charger -up to 50 W-, two USB-C charging ports at the rear, lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat and privacy glass.

All versions come with a heat pump as standard, as well as a very complete range of driver assistance and safety equipment, highlighting front, rear and rear cross-traffic collision warning, hill descent control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist and lane change assist, and intelligent adaptive cruise control.

The BYD Atto 2 inside

Another characteristic that is repeated across BYD models, and which can also be confirmed in the Atto 2 as soon as you get inside, is that the car is very well finished, with materials that are largely soft to the touch and convey a sense of quality and a very careful finish. You would not think you were in the most affordable SUV from the brand, which says a lot. The dashboard has very clean lines, with the large multimedia screen as the star, another distinctive trait of BYD. Details such as the gear selector or the steering wheel even recall the brand’s top-of-the-range SUVs, such as the Sealion 7. The large panoramic roof makes the cabin very bright when driving with the electric sunshade folded, and there are many storage spaces that are practical for small items.

Behind the steering wheel, the instrumentation is digital on all versions, with an 8.8-inch screen. Connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is wireless, and there is no shortage of charging ports: there are two USB ports at the front (one 60 W USB-C and one 7.5 W USB-A), and two more for the rear seats. The seats have a very sporty design and shape, yet are very comfortable. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach, so it is not at all difficult to find a comfortable driving position.

The available space is one of the Atto 2’s strong points: it benefits from the architecture that BYD calls “Cell to body”, previously reserved for the Seal and Sealion 7. Basically, it is a construction where the battery itself forms part of the vehicle’s structure, which, in addition to rigidity, allows space to be gained and the floor not to sit as high as in other electric cars. Rear-seat space is generous, both for legroom and headroom.

It’s a pity it does not offer the option of sliding the rear bench longitudinally, which would give more flexibility when using a boot that, at 400 litres, is not bad at all, but is smaller than those of its most direct rivals. The boot floor can be set at two heights. With the seats folded, total capacity reaches 1,340 litres, and with the floor in the raised position it leaves a flat surface flush with the folded backrests.

Behind the wheel of the BYD Atto 2

With 177 CV (130 kW) and 290 Nm of torque for a total weight of 1,570 kg, the Atto 2 moves with great agility and ease, not only in urban traffic but also on two-lane roads and even on the motorway. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 160 km/h. Driving it, you feel that this is a car that, in terms of performance, comfort and steering feel, has very little of the urban about it: it feels like a bigger and more expensive vehicle.

But, at least with the small battery, it should be considered a day-to-day vehicle for the city and its surroundings, where the range stretches to 463 km. It’s not that you can’t travel with it; as I said, in terms of performance and comfort it is entirely possible. But if the Atto 2 is not suited to long journeys, it is because you would have to plan to stop and recharge every 200 km, so as not to get caught out. It accepts DC charging, although it is limited to a power of up to 65 kW, so stops to reach 80% charge will take around 40 minutes. As standard, the three-phase AC charger allows charging at up to 11 kW, so you can go from 0 to 100% capacity in about 5 and a half hours.

Again, as is the norm at BYD, there are four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow. And there are no paddles on the steering wheel to control the level of energy recovery through regenerative braking, which can only be set to a standard and a high level, not in a way that is easy to switch between during driving. The suspension is tuned softly to prioritise comfort without compromising stability when corners arrive, where what invites you to slow down is the steering, which is too assisted. Overall, the Atto 2 feels very safe and is an easy and pleasant car to drive, both in the city and outside it.

BYD Atto 2 – Image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBYD Atto 25 versions · from 28,200 €