BYD ATTO 2

Chinese giant's next EV is family-minded medium SUV

- JONATHAN BRYCE

This is BYD's big chance to crack one very lucrative market. Since it came onto the European scene in late 2022, the Chinese giant has given us models galore, but the new Atto 2 lands in the fastest-growing segment.

Slotting into the range between the Dolphin and Atto 3, the Atto 2 is a mid-size electric SUV, putting it into a real sweet spot. Last year, more than half of the cars sold globally were SUVS of varying sizes, and in the UK we bought 1.2 million of them. Rivals are flooding in from every avenue, including the Vauxhall Frontera, Hyundai Kona, Kia EV3, Peugeot e-2008, Renault Megane... the list goes on.

BYD claims the Atto 2, built primarily for urban families, offers class-leading interior technology and practicality, generous standard equipment and a competitive price.

Known in China as the Yuan Up, the model's name links it to the Atto 3, despite BYD saying all future SUVs would carry the Sealion name.

Let's not worry about that for now.

The cars at the European launch event in Spain were fitted with a 45.1kWh battery that officially can take you 194 miles, but UKspecification cars will get a 50kWh pack for a bit more range (the WLTP figure isn't confirmed yet, though).

The battery is mated to a single 174bhp motor on the front axle.

There will be two specifications at launch, but we won't be offered Active in the UK, meaning the better-equipped Boost will be the base model here. A Comfort version with a larger battery (and thus a longer range) and a punchier motor will join the ranks at the end of 2025.

What's it like, then? Let's start with the interior. Aside from being interesting to look at, it has to be tough enough to withstand school runs and be free from infotainment glitches, easy to use and practical.