BYD Atto 2 2025 Review

As the competition in Malaysia's category-B electric vehicle market becomes increasingly fierce, consumer demand for entry-level pure electric models with high configurations and long range continues to rise. The 2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium, as a new contender in this segment, has drawn significant attention upon its launch with its 177PS power output, 410km official range, and rich intelligent configurations. In this test drive, we focus on validating its actual range performance, everyday driving comfort, and whether its features truly meet the needs of family users.

From the exterior, the design of the Atto 2 Premium leans toward a youthful and dynamic style, with smooth overall lines. The front adopts a closed grille design, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, providing high recognition; the waistline of the body extends from the front to the rear, complemented by 17-inch multi-spoke wheels, giving it a relatively steady appearance; the through-type LED tail lights at the rear are standout design highlights, and the visual effect is striking when illuminated. The diffuser-like design beneath the rear bumper also enhances the sporty vibe. The lighting system comes standard across all models with LED, and the addition of automatic headlights and daytime running lights improves the convenience of daily use.

Inside the cabin, the interior adopts a minimalist style overall. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, combined with a few silver trim pieces, offering a sense of quality that matches its price range. The 8.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster is clear in display, showing key information like range and vehicle speed in real-time; the 12.8-inch rotatable central screen is a core feature, with decent operational smoothness and support for functions like navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, making daily use quite convenient. In terms of seating, the front seats are wrapped in leather, with 6-way electric adjustment for the driver's seat and 4-way electric adjustment for the front passenger seat, both providing good support and comfort; the rear seats support 60/40 split-folding, which can expand the trunk space when folded down. The standard trunk capacity of 380L can meet the luggage needs for daily shopping or short trips. In terms of space performance, the 2620mm wheelbase is mid-level among its class, allowing a 175cm-tall passenger to sit in the rear with about two clenched fists of legroom, and headroom is also quite sufficient, avoiding a sense of being cramped. The rear row is equipped with air vents and USB ports, showing thoughtful consideration for details.

In terms of power, the Atto 2 Premium is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 130kW (177PS) and a maximum torque of 290N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.9 seconds. In actual driving, the power response is quick during start-up, with noticeable push-back sensation when lightly pressing the accelerator, making it easy to overtake on urban roads; while mid-to-high speed acceleration is not as aggressive as at lower speeds, it is entirely sufficient for daily commuting and highway cruising. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power output is relatively gentle, suitable for daily commuting to save electricity. Sport mode makes the power response more sensitive, suitable for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration.

As for handling, the steering wheel offers moderate weight with minimal play, and the directional accuracy is relatively precise. The combination of MacPherson independent suspension in the front and torsion beam non-independent suspension in the rear filters out small road bumps quite well on city roads, and vibrations when passing speed bumps are not overly stiff. However, body roll can be quite noticeable during high-speed cornering, as overall handling prioritizes comfort. The chassis' minimum ground clearance of 150mm makes it capable of dealing with typical rough roads or curb parking situations.

Range and charging are the points that concern electric vehicle users the most. During this test drive, we mainly drove on urban roads and some highway sections, with the air conditioning set to 24°C throughout. The official range of 410km actually achieved about 80% of that during the drive. In urban conditions, the power consumption per 100km is about 13kWh, while on highways, it increases to around 15kWh. Overall, the performance is average. In terms of charging, fast charging from 30% to 80% takes only 0.46 hours (about 28 minutes), which is convenient for daily recharges; slow charging requires 6-7 hours, making it suitable for home charging at night.

The driving safety configuration is quite comprehensive, with six standard airbags, lane departure warning, active braking, ACC adaptive cruise control, and 360-degree panoramic camera, making these features a competitive advantage among vehicles in the same class. Regarding noise control, motor noise is almost inaudible at low speeds, while wind and tire noise become noticeable at high speeds, but still within acceptable levels and won’t affect normal conversation inside the car. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels. The highest recovery level is quite noticeable, with a mild dragging effect when releasing the accelerator; once accustomed to it, braking frequency can be reduced.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium lie in its rich configuration and stable range performance. Compared to competitors in the same class, its safety features (e.g., 6 airbags, active braking) and smart features (rotatable central control screen, ACC cruise control) are more comprehensive. The price of around 100,000 MYR also gives it a high level of cost-effectiveness. However, the rear suspension comfort could be improved on complex road conditions, and the highway range performance lags slightly behind some competitors.

This car is more suitable for family users focusing on cost-effectiveness and features, or young individuals who have just entered the workforce. It is capable of handling daily commutes, urban driving, and short family trips. However, for users who frequently go on long journeys, the convenience of charging might be a concern. For most urban users, though, the 410km range and relatively fast charging speed should already meet their needs.

In summary, the 2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium is a well-balanced B-class electric car with abundant features and stable range, making it a competitive choice for consumers who value practicality and cost-effectiveness.