The Atto 2 DM-I Plug-in Hybrid is a shot in the arm for the small car segment, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Review

BYD's Atto 2 DM-i is the market's first small Plug-in Hybrid - and a tempting alternative to the full-EV version of this small crossover. There's up to 56 miles of EV range, a focus on value and a unique segment niche.

Background

The world's biggest EV car maker BYD seems to have a new goal these days; to also be the world's biggest maker of PHEVs. First, we had the brand's Seal U DM-i SUV Plug-in Hybrid, which rapidly became its best-seller. Then the Seal 6 DM-i upper mid-sized saloon and estate; now this compact Atto 2 DM-i. Compact? That's new. Previously, the motor industry had decided that PHEV tech was too pricey to offer in compact cars. Unless you count the Jeep Renegade 4xe small SUV, the only one there's ever been here since the pioneering Renault Captur PHEV of 2022 - and that didn't stay on sale for long. But BYD thinks it can make Plug-in Hybrid technology in a car of this size work, so has introduced its DM-i PHEV tech as an alternative to the usual full-EV drivetrain in its small Atto 2 crossover. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

It might feel rather unusual having a Plug-in Hybrid drivetrain in a car as small as this. The last small PHEV to be launched on the market was a Renault Captur PHEV back in 2022. Well the Atto 2 DM-i goes almost twice as far on battery power as one of those used to - up to 55 miles. 'DM-i' stands for 'Dual Mode intelligent', a so-called 'Super Hybrid' system designed to maximise efficiency on longer journeys and able to cycle between its various drive modes automatically as and when needed. It's based around a specifically developed Xiaoyun 1.5-litre petrol engine with a ground-breaking thermal efficiency of 43.04%. The EV range figure we quoted applies to the Atto 2 DM-i with the largest-available 18.0kWh battery, badged 'Boost', which offers a total output of 212PS. BYD is also offering a smaller-7.8kWh battery 'Active' version for more suburban-based customers that offers 165PS and manages up to 24 miles on battery power. 0-62mph takes 9.1s in the Active and 7.5s in the Boost and both offer 300Nm of torque and reach a maximum of 112mph. There's a modest 750kg braked towing weight. This car's 'Super Hybrid with DM technology' set-up can operate in two distinct ways: EV, where the wheels are driven solely by the electric motor, and HEV, where the same principle applies most of the time but the engine's available if you need it. Normally, the engine doesn't drive the wheels but supplies charge to the battery and electric motor via an inverter, so the car keeps the driving response of a pure EV. In moments when additional power is required, HEV mode can switch from Series to Parallel, combining the potential of the petrol engine and the electric motor. As with the Atto 2 EV, likely customers won't prioritise driving involvement, so BYD hasn't, but you should find ride and handling tuned to suit this car's intended urban environment. Around town, you'll appreciate the light steering and the tight 5.2m turning circle. As usual with modern cars these days, there are various intrusive drive assist modes - which include commands to 'keep your eyes on the road' even when you're merely looking at the centre screen. There are some unusual touches too - like the way you can alter the indicator sound. Despite the tall stance, expect body roll to be well-controlled thanks to the way the Blade battery is incorporated into the structure of the car.

Design and Build

This PHEV model is differentiated from an ordinary Atto 2 EV by a revised front end, with a bigger grille supposed to improve cooling for the combustion engine. It's also 20mm longer, but other than that, the visual differences are slight. There's also different badging of course. And you can have a unique 'Midnight Blue' paint option. Otherwise, the DM-i looks like any other Atto 2. Trendiness here is limited to detail stuff; like the intertwined 'Chinese knot' tail lights, the 'floating' roof design and the flush door handles. Size-wise, it's just about second car family-sized - think Hyundai Kona or Kia EV3. The Atto 2 is 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall and sits on quite large 17-inch wheels. The daytime running light strips, pronounced side sills and a silvered rear skid plate provide finishing touches. The interior is well finished but disappointingly conservative and dark. But is redeemed by neat details - the crystal gear selector, G-Wagen-style grab handles and a large panoramic glass roof. And by a class-leading 12.8-inch central touchscreen that as usual with a BYD can rotate to display portrait or landscape; and sets the class standard for media connectivity. For instance, you can stream YouTube videos through it, attend Zoom meetings and even use it to sing karaoke, via an added microphone accessory. Another clever touch is a way that you can just cabin temperature by placing three fingers anywhere on the screen surface and dragging icons about. We'd still rather have physical buttons though. Behind the steering wheel is an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel which, as usual with Chinese models, is rather over-burdened with small digits. The door bins are a little small, but you're well provided for with powerful USB ports. As you'd hope given the boxy shape and the 2,620mm wheelbase length, the back seat is quite roomy, though the bench doesn't slide. Still, there's enough leg space for six foot adults, though you'd struggle to fit in three of them. The back rest is a little upright and the seat bases could use a touch more under-thigh support, but otherwise it's fine for the kind of car this is. Out back, there's a 425-litre boot, with an adjustable-height floor, extendable to 1,335-litres with the bench folded.

Market and Model

BYD has priced this Plug-in Hybrid DM-i model at around the same level as the equivalent full-electric versions, which means a pricing span in the £27,000-£30,000 bracket. Expect 'Active' and 'Boost' trim levels. As you would expect from this brand, there's lots of equipment fitted as standard. Including 17-inch alloy wheels, and an 8.8-inch digital instrument screen, adaptive cruise control and a rotating 12.8-inch central infotainment monitor with wireless 'Apple Carplay' and 'Android Auto', 4G Internet access and the company's 'BYD DiLink' suite of media systems. You can also tick off a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, a 360-degree parking system, all-round parking sensors and high beam assist. Drive assist and safety features are many, including autonomous emergency braking, a driver monitoring system, blind spot detection, Lane keep assist, Rear Cross traffic alert, Traffic sign recognition - and even Hill descent control. Plus a full suite of airbags, including a front centre airbag. We said there was a lot.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you this car's EV range figure in our 'Driving' section - 55 miles. If you keep the battery topped up, that should mean that for regular suburban trips, you should be able to treat this car pretty much like a full-EV. Yet have the convenience of an integrated combustion engine for longer trips that won't be blighted by 'range anxiety'. The best of both worlds? You might well think so. The WLTP-rated weighted combined cycle fuel economy figure is 130.7mpg, with CO2 emissions of 41g/km. Total driving range (with a fully charged battery and the 45-litre fuel tank topped up) for the smaller-battery Active model is 578 miles. For the bigger battery Boost version, BYD has got this figure up to the magic 1,000km level (621 miles). AC charging can take place at up to 3.3kW with the smaller-battery Active version, which will mean that a 15-100% single-phase home wallbox will replenish the battery in 2.7 hours. With the bigger-battery Boost variant, AC charging is possible at up to 6.6kW, so that 7.4kW wallbox will need 3 hours. Like the Atto 2 EV, the DM-i version has V2L technology, so small devices can be plugged into the car's drive battery. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a service centre. In the UK, BYD has established partnerships with key dealerships, and at the time of this review had 65 stores across the nation, including a flagship showroom in Westfields Shopping Mall, West London, with plans to double this figure in the near future. Atto 2 residual values should be reasonable for a new-to-market brand. As usual with BYD, there's a warranty that lasts for six years or 150,000km (that's 93,206 miles).

Summary

Does the small car segment require a PHEV alternative? We've long said so and one of the positives about the Chinese invasion into our market is that this need has been re-addressed - and rather thoroughly here by BYD. Right here, right now, the DM-i is the Atto 2 variant we'd choose. And BYD is in the pleasant position of being able to market this car with almost no direct rivals. That can't continue, but while it does, this model is in our view, one that customers for small cars shouldn't ignore.