BYD Atto 2 review

Right then, we’ll start with the all-electric one given that came out first. There are two versions in the UK: Boost (174bhp/51.1kWh/214 miles) starts from £30,850, and Comfort (201bhp/64.8kWh/267 miles) from £34,950.

The biggest kick in the teeth though? Similarly specced, pretty much all of its more established (and better driving) rivals – including the Renault 4, Ford Puma Gen-E and Smart #1 plus the Fiat Grande Panda, Jeep Avenger and all their Stellantis group siblings – can be had cheaper. In some cases by a couple of grand. Which makes this a hard sell.

But BYD is hoping that its lease deals will tempt buyers: you’re looking at monthly repayments of £339 a month with a £339 down payment over four years with 0 per cent APR. The Comfort versions cost only £30 quid extra a month, again with a £0 extra down payment, and all versions get five years’ free servicing.

To anyone who simply wants a car to get them from A to B, that’s pretty tempting. But its rivals drip in charm alongside it.

WHAT ABOUT HYBRID PRICING?

That’s more tempting, actually. Official UK prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but it’ll be cheaper than the EV and should start at around £25,000, with the bigger battery Boost trim around the £28,000 mark.

Plus, as a proper plug-in hybrid it doesn’t really have many rivals of a similar size and persuasion. BYD reckons it’ll do 1,000km (620 miles) on a single tank with a full battery. No range anxiety here, then.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TRIMS?

Well, they alter the powertrains that for starters, but there are also slight differences in kit too. The EVs are available in Boost and Comfort trims, while the plug-in hybrid arrives in the UK in Active and Boost. Yep, only slightly confusing.

As a PHEV, the Active trim (with its smaller battery and lower power output) includes the 12.8in infotainment screen as standard. It also gets 16in wheels, Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, metallic paint, LED lights and plenty of USB-C ports.

Boost trim then adds a large panoramic roof, 17in wheels, a 360-degree parking camera and heated front seats and steering wheel. It also brings the bigger battery and more powerful motor, plus it unlocks vehicle-to-load charging to power things like fridges or coffee machines while camping. Neat.

In the EV, Boost is your entry level trim. That gets LED headlights, the full suite of screens, the 360-degree camera, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, 17in wheels, wireless smartphone charging, panoramic sunroof, a heat pump and vehicle-to-load capability. Plenty of kit, but it only gets 65kW fast charging and 214 miles of range. Not great.

So, if you’re going all-electric you’ll probably want to upgrade to the Comfort trim with its bigger battery, bigger boot and faster charging. Just bear in mind that it doesn’t actually come with a huge amount more kit – we’re talking electrically folding door mirrors, privacy glass in the rear and adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat.

Oh, and final thing to note: all Atto 2s get a six-year/90,000-mile warranty, while the battery gets an eight-year/120,000-mile warranty.