BYD Atto 2 DM-i: small SUV, long-distance ability

The BYD Atto 2 DM-i may be small, but it can travel a long way - both literally and figuratively.

---

BYD models are like sardines: the smaller they are, the better they tend to be. The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is no exception. Before explaining why this plug-in hybrid version is, in my view, the best powertrain for the Atto 2, the comparison deserves some context. After all, who does not enjoy a proper grilled sardine feast…

BYD has several distinctive traits. The least interesting - because it is already the best known - is probably that it is a Chinese manufacturer, or that it sells more electric vehicles worldwide than any other brand.

Its most compelling characteristic is something else: the extensive parts sharing across its line-up. Many components found in an Atto 2 or Dolphin Surf are exactly the same as those used in models such as the Seal U, Han and Tang, which sit considerably higher in both price and market segment.

This is possible because BYD manufactures almost everything in-house, relying little on outside suppliers - rather like Toyota and Hyundai. In many instances, reusing an existing component, even one that is larger or more capable than necessary, costs less than developing a new one from scratch.

That is where the sardine comparison comes in. BYD’s smaller cars can sometimes be its most appealing. Metaphors aside, this was a first drive in Barcelona.

Two versions were available to test, but with limited time I focused mainly on the Atto 2 DM-i - the plug-in hybrid, or PHEV. It comes with one immediately eye-catching figure: up to 90 km of electric-only range.

Space is one of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i’s strengths

Around a year ago, I drove the fully electric BYD Atto 2 with the smaller battery, which managed little more than 220 km in real-world motorway driving. At the time, two aspects stood out: cabin space and the quality of the finish. Both were impressive for the segment.

In this DM-i version, the crystal-style gear selector disappears from the centre console, with the lever instead relocated to the steering column, but everything else remains unchanged. That is welcome news. Interior space is still excellent in both rows, while the materials are clearly above the segment average.

The boot also contributes to the positive overall impression. At around 425 litres in this plug-in hybrid version, it gives away little compared with the pure-electric model and remains surprising given the car’s external dimensions. The packaging has been handled extremely well.

From a technology perspective, the Atto 2 DM-i is well equipped. It has a capable infotainment system, automatic climate control, several charging options - wired and wireless - plus heated and ventilated seats. In this respect, it is clearly among the strongest cars in its class.

It is a shame the exterior styling is so uninspired. In a segment where visual appeal matters greatly, the BYD Atto 2 DM-i feels overly anonymous. It is not off-putting, certainly, but it does not win you over either.

A plug-in hybrid unlike the rest

For this version, the Atto 2 DM-i pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine producing around 100 hp with an electric motor of approximately 200 hp, powered by an 18 kWh battery. Combined output is roughly 210 hp, which is more than enough for a compact SUV in this class.

In real-world driving, power never feels lacking. It responds well, offers immediate performance and remains comfortable in every normal driving situation. However, electric running proved more reliant on the combustion engine than expected.

Whenever speeds went beyond 90 km/h or I asked for more decisive acceleration, the petrol engine stepped in almost immediately, even when there was charge left in the battery. I asked brand representatives about this, and they acknowledged that the DM-i system’s management software will still receive updates before the car reaches the roads.

As it stands, the powertrain is pleasant, but less efficient than its figures suggest. Setting up a PHEV properly is far from straightforward. Toyota has been combining combustion engines and electric motors for more than 30 years, and knows there are no shortcuts. Not even the celebrated “China speed” can work miracles.

BYD quotes a combined-cycle consumption figure of 1.8 l/100 km, an optimistic claim that depends heavily on diligent charging. On open roads, it was clear that there is room to improve the system’s calibration.

The key selling point? The price

This is where the best news arrives. In Portugal, choosing a BYD Atto 2 DM-i is straightforward: there is only one version, the range-topping model. It costs €33,990, exactly the same price MG charges for the HS PHEV.

Does it make more sense than the electric version? That depends on the buyer’s needs. I also drove the electric Atto 2 with the new 64.8 kWh battery, which promises up to 430 km of range under the WLTP cycle. That version has become clearly more appealing, particularly for businesses, thanks to the tax incentives available for electric vehicles.

Even so, with a claimed 90 km of electric range, this DM-i looks like a very balanced option for anyone seeking a compact SUV that can do nearly everything without relying entirely on charging. I know it looks small, but… try getting inside one.

Verdict

Technical specifications