2025 BYD Atto 2 electric SUV launched in UK ahead of expected Australian arrival
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The Chinese car maker's smallest electric SUV yet has been launched in Europe in two trim levels for the best indication of what to expect when it lands in Australia.
The BYD Atto 2 small electric SUV has gone on sale in the United Kingdom and Europe ahead of its arrival in Australia in late 2025, giving an insight into the equipment and real-world capability of the showroom model.
Two trim levels of the five-seat, five-door, city-size SUV have been launched in Europe – with a single model for the United Kingdom (UK) – as the Atto 2 arrived in the continent to rival the Hyundai Kona and Volvo EX30 electric SUVs.
Importer of BYD into Australia, EVDirect, is yet to confirm pricing, equipment levels and precise arrival timing of the Atto 2 here – nor has it revealed the name the small electric SUV will have in local showrooms.
That's because it has not directly confirmed the Atto 2, but instead, local CEO David Smitherman effectively confirmed it in late 2024 by saying "there are plans for smaller vehicles, smaller SUVs as well" in Australia.
The Atto 2 name suits perfectly given the city-size SUV sits below the larger Atto 3, from $39,990 before on-road costs, in terms of size, capability and price.
Pricing for both European countries and the UK has not been revealed, but the Atto 2 is estimated to start at around £27,000 ($AU53,400) in the UK – around the same price as the popular MG4 electric hatchback, which in Australia starts at $37,990.
In China, the Atto 2 is sold as the Yuan Up – another identity for this small electric offering – with Chinese made models hitting Europe ahead of production being added in a new factory in Hungary.
Regardless of the name, the Atto 2 uses BYD's e-Platform 3.0 modular architecture and has a 2620mm wheelbase – the space between the front and rear axles – 100mm shorter than the Atto 3's but long compared to key rivals.
The Atto 2 is 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm high making it similar in size to the MG4 electric hatchback and Hyundai Kona electric SUVs.
Inside, a 400L boot is expandable to 1340L with the 60:40 split-fold rear seats folded.
In Europe, the Atto 2 has been launched with an entry-level 'Active' and higher spec 'Boost' trim levels, with a third 'Comfort' version planned for later in 2025.
The UK right-hand-drive models skip the Active, with the Atto 2 UK range starting with the Boost trim level – a tactic which could happen here, given Australia is also a right-hand-drive market.
This means a larger 50kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery pack – with the lower-spec Active using a 45.1kWh version – with 65kW DC (direct current) fast-charging capability and 11kW AC (alternating current) charging.
It powers a single front-axle motor making 130kW/290Nm and enables the 1570kg SUV a claimed 7.9 seconds 0-100km/h sprint and 160km/h top speed.
Official WLTP driving range is 312km for the smaller 45.1kWh battery – BYD promising longer ranges for the larger battery, suggesting it will come closer to the Hyundai Kona EV's 370km range or perhaps exceed it on the flagship 'Comfort' model.
The Europe-spec Active has 17-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera and parking sensors, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, faux-leather upholstery, and a 10.1-inch centre touchscreen which – like other BYDs – can rotate between portrait and landscape positions.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, including voice commands, and six-speaker audio, along with a crystal-look gear selector and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Stepping up to the Boost adds electrically folding side mirrors, front parking radar sensors, a surround-view camera system, an eight-speaker audio system, and larger 12.8-inch centre touchscreen.
While the centre screen may be the focal point, there are still physical buttons for critical functions including the air-conditioning, audio volume and windscreen demisters.
EVDirect is also planning to launch the larger BYD Sealion 7 locally in the first quarter of 2025, joining the Sealion 6 hybrid SUV which knocked off the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as the best-selling plug-in hybrid across all makes in Australia in 2024.
Arrivals of the BYD Shark 6 dual-cab ute – a plug-in hybrid – started in January 2025, with a more powerful, 2.0-litre version with 3500kg towing due later in 2025 or 2026.
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