Summary
The BYD Atto 2 is a small five-door electric SUV that hit UK roads in the autumn of 2025. It will be joined by a plug-in hybrid version in early 2026.
Known as the ‘BYD Yuan Up’ in China and built on the same foundations as the BYD Dolphin hatchback and larger BYD Atto 3 SUV, the electric version of the Atto 2 is available with two different trim levels called ‘Boost’ and ‘Comfort’. Comfort gets slightly more power (150kW or 204hp) than Comfort (130kW or 177hp) , as well as a larger battery (65kWh vs 51kWh), which gives it a longer driving range (261 miles vs 214 miles).
The Atto 2 enters a highly competitive small electric SUV market, with plenty of rivals from almost every other major car brand in the UK. As with most BYD models, its biggest selling points are an extensive level of kit for the money and a long warranty period.
Media reviews have been generally average to poor, with scores that are well down on th ebest cars in this segment. Ellis Hyde of Auto Express concludes that the BYD “doesn’t lead the pack” but is nevertheless a “fine, if somewhat uninspiring contender” in a crowded electric crossover market.
Parker’s Curtis Moldrich praises the Atto 2 for its straight-line performance and “predictable steering”, while Steve Fowler of The Independent commends the SUV for its spacious and “high-tech” interior.
That said, Electrifying.com’s Nicola Hume takes issue with the Atto 2’s charging speeds, as well as its battery range, which “is a bit middling next to alternatives like the MG 4 and Kia EV3“. She also notes that “it’s disappointing that it’s so underwhelming to drive.”
Top Gear’s Peter Rawlins was quite scathing, suggesting that “if this is the future for our automotive world we don’t want it”.
As of January 2026, the BYD Atto 2 Electric has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%. It achieves top marks for its low running costs, zero tailpipe emissions and long new car warranty, but the initial media review scores have been very poor. It’s also worth noting that we don’t have any Euro NCAP safety rating data yet, so this may shift the overall score up or down once this information is published. Keep checking back for the lastest results.
Atto 2 highlights
- Well-equipped as standard
- Intuitive on-board tech
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- BYD battery tech is world-leading
Atto 2 lowlights
- Slow charging speeds
- Rivals offer more battery range on a single charge
- Some EV alternatives are cheaper
- Many negative driving reviews
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From 30,850
Launched: Summer 2025
Last updated: N/A
Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The BYD Atto 2 is a fine, if somewhat uninspiring, contender in the compact electric SUV segment.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Ellis Hyde
“The BYD Atto 2 is a spacious, easy to live with and generously-equipped small SUV, but it’s it’s not as good to drive as its alternatives.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Mario Christou
More reviews
Auto Trader
Score: 5 / 10
“The BYD Atto 2 might play to the brand’s cheap and cheerful reputation, but seemingly falls short on both counts.”
Author: Erin Baker
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Boost 51kWh
Score: 8 / 10
“Rivals are more fun to drive, but there’s no doubting the BYD Atto 2’s efficiency and practicality, plus the fact it is affordable and well-equipped, with the Boost priced at £30,850.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The BYD Atto 2 is not big on character and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it follows that it’s only a middling performer. The spec list does most of the car’s talking, with a strong infotainment and ADAS offering putting it in the mix ahead of cheaper competitors but nothing with enough punch to put it towards the top of the class.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The BYD Atto 2 is not big on character and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it follows that it’s only a middling performer. The spec list does most of the car’s talking, with a strong infotainment and ADAS offering putting it in the mix ahead of cheaper competitors but nothing with enough punch to put it towards the top of the class. It’s an extremely capable car with no hidden depths, a car that will perform exactly as customers want but with zero character.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Atto 2 is great to drive and comes well equipped for the price. It will be surprisingly practical if you’re coming from a hatchback model into this small SUV, though it’s not quite as big as some other rivals are if you shop around.”
Author: Charlie Harvey
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s disappointing that it’s so underwhelming to drive, and the boot may be too small for some family motorists, but it’ll do the job that most buyers expect of it. That range is a bit middling next to alternatives like the MG4 and Kia EV3, too.”
Author: Nicola Hume
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Boost
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Atto 2 is a B-segment compact SUV that offers a driving experience that’s both comfortable and agile, with two models delivering driving ranges of 214 miles or 267 miles.”
Author: Paul Clarke
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“It’s quick and genuinely innovative, which is all you could want. It’s surprisingly good to drive too, with predictable steering, good power and brakes that put significantly more expensive more EVs to shame.”
Author: Piers Ward, Curtis Moldrich
Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The sixth new car to arrive from BYD in just two years, the Atto 2 is a high-tech, posh small SUV that drives well and has lots of space for the family.”
Author: Steve Fowler
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“This Chinese-built urban crossover faces a wealth of classy and established rivals, but it’s not the bargain it might at first appear.”
Author: Andrew English
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“Completely forgettable to look at, lacking in dynamic talent and thoroughly uninspiring to anyone who has even the slightest interest in cars, if this is the future for our automotive world we don’t want it. Even if we will begrudgingly admit it does at least have a spacious cabin and generous kit levels.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of November 2025, the BYD Atto 2 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 130 kW electric FWD automatic
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2024
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.6 / 10
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the BYD Atto 2 has scored very highly in Green NCAP. This emissions assessment was conducted in late 2024, and stands for the 130kW powertrain option.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 242 miles | B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.6 m/KWh | D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 31 | C |
Based on the initial running cost information we have, the BYD Atto 2 should be an affordable car to own. As with any EV, however, there is a massive difference between the cost of charging your car from a home charger and charging it at a public fast charger, so your costs will largely depend on having a wallbox at home or work.
We don’t yet have five-year servicing and maintenance costs for the Atto 2, so check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of November 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BYD Atto 2 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Atto 2, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the BYD Atto 2
BYD’s new car warranty is better than most brands operating in the UK, and better than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Atto 2.
The duration is six years, with a limit of 93,750 miles. In addition, there’s an eight-year/125,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used BYD Atto 2
As of November 2025, all BYD Atto 2s for sale should be covered by their new car warranty. The first cars only went on sale in September 2025, so they will be under warranty until at least September 2031 unless they reach their 93,750-mile limit before then.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BYD Atto 2
As of November 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the BYD Atto 2. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BYD dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BYD Atto 2, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica | BMW iX1 | Citroën ë-C3 Aircross | DS 3 E-Tense | Fiat 600e | Ford Puma Gen-E | Hyundai Kona Electric | Jaecoo E5 | Jeep Avenger | Kia EV3 | Mazda MX-30 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Mini Aceman | Peugeot e-2008 | Smart #3 | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volvo EX30
More information
More news, reviews and information about the BYD range at The Car Expert
Buy a BYD Atto 2
If you’re looking to buy a new or used BYD Atto 2, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a BYD Atto 2
If you’re looking to lease a new BYD Atto 2, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a BYD Atto 2
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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Car subscriptions from Just Vehicle Solutions.
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