BYD introduces the Atto 2 small SUV


Building on an already impressive and expanding electric vehicle line-up, BYD has introduced the Atto 2, which has been designed “for customers who want the raised ride height of an SUV but in an affordable package that is tailored to urban streets and parking arrangements”.

The Atto 2 measures 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall – so it’s 145mm shorter and 45mm slimmer than the Atto 3. It has a relatively long wheelbase of 2,620mm, designed to boost cabin space and ensure short front and rear overhangs, improving approach and departure angles to help reinforce the SUV image.

According to BYD’s Irish importer, Motor Distributors Ltd (MDL), the Atto 2 will arrive here in the third quarter of 2025 will be offered with a choice of two sizes of BYD’s Blade Battery. At launch the standard range edition will have a rated capacity of 45.1 kWh, delivering a WLTP (combined) range of 312km. Its front-mounted motor produces 130 kW. A larger-battery version will follow, details of which we’re told will be announced in the coming weeks.

Inside the Atto 2, BYD says the layout mixes sharp styling and premium materials with generous space and cleverly integrated technology. The front cabin design builds on the exterior treatment, with the fascia based on simple, clean lines.

The cabin features padded surfaces in all key areas, and integrated handles in the front and rear doors, as well as in the lower centre console – again, building on the car’s SUV image.

The centre console contains a pair of cup-holders and an integrated arm rest, which opens up to reveal one of several storage areas. The drive selector itself has a sophisticated cut-diamond look, while the area surrounding it incorporates hard keys for some key functions, such as the windscreen de-mister, along with a volume knob for the sound system and a switch that flicks between the car’s driving modes.

The cabin ambiance is enhanced by a panoramic glass roof, which allows generous amounts of natural light for all occupants. Designed with EVs in mind, BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 has a completely flat floor, so the rear seats remain practical enough for family use.

Beyond the passenger compartment, the Atto 2’s boot measures 400-litres, which can be increased to 1,340-litres when the split folding rear seat is lowered.

The front of the vehicle features neatly integrated full-LED headlights and slim daytime-running lights. The front bumper has sharp angles for a dynamic look, along with bright highlights low down and efficiency-boosting vertical air curtains at the outer edges.

The sides of the Atto 2 have lower cladding, broken up by highlights, to help accentuate the height of the car while maintaining a look of agility, and a ‘floating’ roofline that’s punctuated by a distinctive body-coloured element that meets glass at the C-pillar.

At the rear, a distinctive roof spoiler sits above a full-width light bar that joins ‘Chinese knot’ tail-lights that look like the number eight and a Mobius Infinity Ring, signifying endless good luck. A convex rear bumper and further bright highlights on the lower cladding complete a sporty look.

The Atto 2 comes in ‘Climbing Grey’ paint as standard, with three optional shades – ‘Hiking Green’, ‘Skiing White’ and ‘Cosmos Black’.