BYD is giving UK buyers another reason to look at plug-in hybrids with the arrival of its new Atto 2 DM-i, a small SUV with a petrol engine, a battery and a price tag starting at £26,995.
That starting price puts the Atto 2 DM-i below BYD’s other plug-in hybrid SUVs, including the Seal U DM-I, Sealion 5 DM-i and Seal 6 DM-i models, and brings the brand’s so-called Super Hybrid tech into a smaller, cheaper and very busy part of the market.
It also means the Atto 2 range now has both fully electric and plug-in hybrid versions, giving buyers a choice between going all-in on EV power or having a petrol engine on board for longer trips.
There are two versions of the Atto 2 DM-i, called Active and Boost. Both use a 1.5-litre petrol engine, but most of the time that engine acts more like a generator for the electric motor, rather than driving the wheels directly. BYD says the petrol engine only sends power to the wheels under heavier load.
The Active model has a 7.8kWh battery and a total system output of 163bhp, with 300Nm of torque. It manages 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and has a top speed of 111mph. Its electric-only maximum range is 24 miles, rising to 31 miles if just used around town. With petrol and battery power combined, BYD claims a total range of 577 miles.
The Boost model gets a bigger 18kWh battery and more power, with total output rising to 209bhp. Torque stays at 300Nm, but the 0-62mph time drops to 7.5 seconds. More importantly for plug-in hybrid buyers, the official electric-only range rises to 55 miles, or up to 93 miles around town. Its total petrol and electric range is quoted at 621 miles.
As ever with plug-in hybrids, the big fuel economy numbers need some context because they depend heavily on regular charging and lots of shorter electric trips. BYD quotes 201.7mpg for the Active and 470.8mpg for the Boost on the official test cycle. But those figures are only realistic if you charge frequently and drive in a way that prioritises battery use over the engine.
The Atto 2 DM-i is a useful size, too. At 4,330mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall, it sits at the larger end of the small SUV class. Boot space is 425 litres with the rear seats up, rising to 1,335 litres with them folded, which gives it more room than plenty of family hatchbacks.
Inside, all versions get a 12.8-inch touchscreen with Google Automotive Services built in. That means Google Maps is the main navigation system, while Google Assistant voice control and access to apps through the Google Play store are included. If you prefer to connect your phone ,Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included as standard.
Standard kit on the Active also includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated and electrically adjustable mirrors, an 8.8-inch driver display, four USB ports, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
The Boost, priced from £29,995, adds 17-inch wheels, aluminium roof rails, rear privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof. It also gets front parking sensors, folding mirrors, vegan leather trim for the seats and steering wheel, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear reading lights, a 360-degree camera, 50W wireless phone charging and vehicle-to-load tech, which lets the car power external devices like e-bikes and camping equipment.
Charging speeds differ between the two versions. The Active has a 3.3kW AC charger, while the Boost gets a faster 6.6kW system. BYD says the Active can charge from 15 to 100 per cent in 2.7 hours, while the Boost takes three hours using its 6.6kW charger.
The Atto 2 DM-i joins a growing list of plug-in hybrid BYDs in the UK, as Chinese brands continue to push beyond pure electric cars. Order books open on 2 June, with the first cars due to arrive in August.
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