Moving into the compact electric SUV market, BYD is looking to compete with established brands with a value proposition arriving in the UK later this year. By John Challen.

What is it? Compact electric SUV / How much? Under £30,000 / Rrange? 360 miles / Time to charge 10-80%? 37 minutes (65kW DC charger)

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With the C-segment overflowing with electric vehicle options, manufacturers are turning their attentions to other sectors – and drivers. Moving down a segment in size seems to be part of the plan, so expect to see more and more B-segment battery powered contenders reach the market over the coming months.

One of the first to appear is the Atto 2, the smaller sibling to the car that kicked everything off for BYD in the UK, the Atto 3. We were impressed by that car’s ability to meet the needs of European drivers, with a quality level that was on a par with rivals from legacy manufacturers. At the launch of the car, the BYD hierarchy were quick to state that there would be no compromise on technology – now, or in the future.

As a result, the Chinese brand has carried those high standards through with the Atto 2. At 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall, it’s relatively compact but, thanks partly to a 2,620mm wheelbase, has a pretty spacious interior.

Speaking of the inside, drivers and passengers will find a pleasant mix of screens, buttons and materials that provide a premium feel. There are still signs that this is a budget BEV, but it doesn’t feel cheap. There are padded surfaces throughout, electrically adjustable front seats, which are heated – as is the steering wheel. There are ample storage places, for cups, smartphones and other items, while wireless charging (via a 15W pad in the centre console) sits alongside wired options, courtesy of Type-C and Type-A ports.

BYD bucks the trend of screens completely dominating user controls, with an 8.8-inch instrument panel and 12.8-inch infotainment screen joined by a bank of hard keys for items such as the front screen de-mister, volume and drive mode (there are four modes in total: eco, normal, sport and snow).

Like the Atto 3, there are some innovative touches, such as the ability to adjust cabin temperature and fan speed by swiping three fingers on the touchscreen. For all passengers, there is also a wide selection of games to keep people happy while charging. Other elements, keeping up with the latest expectations of some drivers, include vegan leather seats and a panoramic roof as standard. Like most other brands, BYD has personalised voice controls with its “Hi BYD” command. Use this to alter everything from heating and ventilation to electric windows, infotainment and much more.

BYD is very proud of its Blade battery and, in the Atto 2, the 45.1kWh pack uses cell-to-body construction, meaning the battery is integrated into the chassis to aid packaging and body rigidity. The cells are installed directly, instead of being fitted into multiple modules, enabling more to fit in the same areas as a conventional battery construction. Working with the 177hp motor, which produces 290Nm of torque, the battery helps propel the BYD to 62mph from a standstill in 7.9 seconds and onto a 100mph top speed. The WLTP combined range is figured at 194 miles, while the ‘City’ figure is 287 miles.

Which model is right for you?

There are currently two models in the Atto 2 range – Active and Boost – but the UK is only taking the latter. Boost will be joined later in the year by the Comfort model.

Boost offers an impressive kit list, with 17-inch alloys, panoramic roof, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, vehicle-to-load functionality and heated steering wheel and front seats. Safety-wise, Atto 2 comes with a plethora of ADAS technologies, including intelligent cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear collision warning.

The range-topping Comfort model will feature a larger battery and more powerful motor, enabling the 10-80% charge time to be cut to 25 minutes. It will also boast a theoretical driving range of 260 miles (WLTP). Spec-wise, upgrades over the Boost include a more powerful phone charging pad, extra USB-C ports, lumber support for drivers and rear privacy glass.

The verdict

There is a lot to like in the Atto 2 and BYD certainly understands the brief when it comes to building cars for the European market. Sitting in between the Dolphin and the Atto 3, this latest addition impresses with its interior space, clean interior layout and its ability to transport passengers in comfort. The driving experience is engaging, with slightly more steering feel than you might expect in what is effectively a city car and a decent ride quality.

There are question marks over how it will fare against the competition from more established brands, such as newly crowned UK Car of the Year, the EV3 from Kia or the Vauxhall Frontera, especially as it falls slightly short on driving range compared with others. But the Atto 2 is sure to attract a lot of admirers because it is a tempting proposition with a decent standard spec.

The lowdown

BYD Atto 2

Key fleet model: Boost

Thumbs up: Decent spec, interior space, driving experience

Thumbs down: Limited charging speeds, low range compared with rivals

Seven-word summary: A decent addition to a promising portfolio

Also consider: Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3, Vauxhall Frontera