BYD announces prices for its Renault 4 rival

This is the BYD Atto 2, an electric crossover set to arrive in September which will rival the likes of the Renault 4, Suzuki e Vitara and Mini Aceman. The Atto 2 will be packed with all the latest tech including vehicle-to-load compatibility allowing you to charge other devices from the car's battery. BYD will be hoping it offers enough to help it stand out from the crowd.
• BYD’s smallest SUV. It’s about the size of a Volkswagen T-Roc • Relatively long wheelbase means interior space should be family-sized • It arrives with two battery options offering up to 261 miles of range • BYD promises ‘premium’ interior quality, including “padded surfaces” • Massive central infotainment screen rotates for portrait or landscape options

Design and models available

A fairly unremarkable-looking SUV, the Atto 2 will nonetheless offer a good amount of space, kit and quality. There will be two trim levels: Boost and Comfort. The entry-level model will come with a smaller battery and less range, while Comfort models will have a larger battery and be able to travel further between charges.

Interior and technology

BYD calls the Atto 2 “the perfect urban EV for those who don’t want to compromise on a premium finish and ‘big-car’ features.” That’s a normal PR-y sort of thing to say when a car launches, but we do know that the Atto 2 will have soft-touch surfaces and a majestically large rotating central touch-screen. It should feel very spacious too, with a pretty long wheelbase – 2,620mm, if you’re into this sort of fact. As you can see if you click through the pictures above, rear knee space looks generous for a car that’s significantly smaller than a Nissan Qashqai. The boot is 400 litres large, a little bigger than you’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf. Plus, because the wheels are ‘pushed out to the corners, so to speak, it makes for “short front and rear overhangs, improving approach and departure angles to help reinforce the SUV image,” according to BYD.

Batteries and range

Boost models come with a 177-horsepower motor which drives the front wheels, taking power from a 51.1kWh battery pack offering a claimed range of 214 miles. That’s far from groundbreaking (especially as it’ll be closer to 150 miles if it’s cold outside or you ever use a motorway), but it’s more than enough for most people, most days. The version with a bigger 64.8kWh battery and just over 200 horsepower has a range of 261 miles.

Price and release

The Atto 2 will start at £30,850 while a top-spec model with all the whistles, bells and kitchen sinks will cost £34,950. This is more expensive than we would have hoped and makes the Suzuki e Vitara and the smaller Renault 4 look even better value.

What other upcoming cars will the Atto 2 compete with?

The Vauxhall Frontera and Suzuki e Vitara are both similar in size to the Atto 2, while the MGS5 is slightly larger. These offer no-nonsense electric motoring and are all slightly cheaper then the BYD. However, the Atto 2 is aiming to be a more premium offering, so potential buyers might also consider the funkier Renault 4 or Mini Aceman.