BYD Atto 2 Long Term Review

Report 1

May 2026

Mileage:528

Real-world range: 150 miles

Efficiency: 2.9m/kWh

Arguably the most important feature on a car this time of year is its aircon. Our BYD Atto 2, of course, comes with it as standard. However, using it during this heatwave across the summer has been sadly difficult for me.

You see, being the smaller 51.1kWh Boost model with a WLTP range of 214 miles, my real world range figure with the aircon maintaining a liveable 18ºC barely creeps above 140 miles. That’s just about enough for running around town, which living in southwest London is a lot of my journeys. 

Worse still, living in an apartment with no home charging, means that all three 90-mile round trips to Gatwick this month have required a bespoke lengthy and expensive public charge the night before.

Talking of public charging, our Boost trim only accepts a maximum charging rate of 130kW, which isn't fantastic in 2026, but given the relatively small battery, I haven't waited longer than 30 minutes for a 10–80% charge, so at least it tracks against most rivals.

Now you might be wondering, why would I buy the Boost when for around £4k more I could get the Comfort? It has a larger 64.8kWh battery, faster 150kW charging and a longer 267-mile range, and honestly – it's a valid point.

In my few weeks so far with the car, as a package, there's a lot to like. The funky styling, the driving position is commanding (like a much larger SUV), there's plenty of luggage space and it is a very comfortable cruiser. 

The shortcomings that I have highlighted this summer are ones that I would consider solved if one were to stretch for the Comfort trim. 

Report 2

June 2026

Mileage: 1135

Real-world range: 160 miles

Efficiency: 3.1m/kWh

I've now covered over 1,000 miles in our BYD Atto 2 Boost, this has been an almost 50/50 split between motorway and in-town, and in both areas the car shines for different reasons.

Around town the imposing shape of the car makes you think it would be a bit of a behemoth unsuited for an urban environment. However, the Atto 2 is a bit of a weapon in the streets. You see, it comes as standard with what I would argue to be one of the best 360º cameras on the market. 

With cameras dotted all over the car you can see how close a kerb is, how tight you are going through a width restrictor and also have a 3d projection of your car in a space to help manoeuvre into a tight spot.

Then there's the actual town driving dynamics – accelerator response is swift and smooth, and easing off with regen set to high is equally predictable, no passengers have experienced motion sickness from a particularly grabby system. However, the lack of a one-pedal driving mode is a little disappointing.

The steering is light and the turning circle is narrow, making corners easy to take and the high driving position inspires confidence as to exactly where the extremities of the car are. 

On the motorway, the Atto 2 is a very comfortable cruiser, the ride is soft on smooth tarmac and I have few complaints of road noise, even on that section of rough 1970s M25 concrete. 

At 60mph on slightly more undulating roads the ride is a little wafty and I do get thrown about a bit in the seat, but that's not isolated to the Atto 2. I have driven the Sealion 7, Atto 3 Evo and Dolphin Surf which ironically are all a bit floaty – perhaps it is a BYD thing?

Report 3

July 2026

Mileage: 1623

Real-world range: 200 miles

Efficiency: 3.9m/kWh

I’m now about halfway through my Atto 2 long term ownership experience and it’s at this point when I usually start to gel with a car and live around its idiosyncrasies. Well, after 1,600 miles, here’s how I’m faring.

The regenerative braking system is still just as grabby, but I’m starting to get used to it. The transfer between regen and friction braking is still noticeably jarring but with the regen set to normal, the brakes become much easier to modulate. The suspension doesn’t do a great job of stopping the nose from diving but it’s much more manageable with less intense regen.

We’ve had a strangely cool July in London so efficiency has been improved over the months prior. The air conditioning hasn’t had to work as hard and so with a full charge, the range gauge currently reads 203 miles!

Spending a lot of time on the road for work means that on occasion, I need to take the odd phone call. Hands free calling is a feature cars have had for decades now and yet, somehow the Atto 2 hasn’t quite got it nailed down. Around town, it works fine. However, at motorway speeds, I was quick to discover that no matter how high I raise the volume, I find myself asking callers to repeat themselves often enough for it to be slightly embarrassing.

Speaking of volume, the maximum figure is 39, I suspect because the number four is considered unlucky in many east Asian countries. The sound system overall is very underwhelming too for the music lovers among us, and that’s not something that can be remedied by going for the more expensive Comfort model either.

Lastly, a note on storage. My mum recently needed to collect a special insulated compost bin (gardening is not my strong suit) and it handily fitted in the back of the Atto 2 with the rear seats folded and plenty of room to spare! There’s a bunch of space under the boot floor too. But disappointingly, despite the wealth of space on offer under there, the Atto 2 does not offer front end storage. Can’t win 'em all!