BYD Atto 2 Review

Recently, Malaysia's B-segment electric vehicle market has become increasingly competitive, with many brands launching new models at a price point of around RM100,000. For budget-conscious consumers who still desire smart features and comfortable space, choosing a balanced model is not an easy task. The BYD Atto 2 Premium, introduced as a new model in July 2025, bundles a 177PS powertrain, 410km range, and L2-level driver assistance into a RM100,000 package, which indeed raises curiosity about its actual performance. During this test drive, we focus on its practicality, driving quality, and whether its features can truly meet the daily needs of family users.

The exterior design of the Atto 2 Premium adopts a simple and rounded style, with smooth lines and minimal complex decorations. The front end features a closed grille, complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides, connected in the middle by a chrome trim strip, giving it good recognizability. The side profile of the car has a continuous waistline stretching from the front to the rear, paired with 17-inch multi-spoke wheels, presenting a rather stable look. The rear design is relatively minimalistic, with a through-type LED taillight set that provides clear illumination when lit, and a black trim on the rear bumper that adds a touch of sportiness. In terms of lighting systems, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights come as standard, adequate for everyday use.

Stepping inside, the first impression is of the materials and layout of the interior. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials and adorned with silver trim, providing an overall texture that ranks above average for vehicles in this price category. The 8.8-inch LCD digital instrument panel is clear and displays information such as speed, range, and driving assistance features at a glance. The 12.8-inch rotatable central touchscreen is a standout feature of the interior, supporting touch operations and boasting a responsive system that is compatible with smartphone connectivity as well as commonly used navigation and music functions. As for the seats, the driver’s seat supports 6-way electric adjustment, while the passenger seat has 4-way electric adjustment; both are padded thickly with moderate wraparound support. The rear seating space performs well, with a wheelbase of 2620mm that allows a passenger of 175cm height to sit with about two fists of legroom and one fist of headspace left, avoiding any sense of claustrophobia. The rear seats are equipped with air conditioning vents and two USB ports, making it convenient for rear passengers. As for storage, the front row features two cup holders, a wireless charging pad, and a center armrest box. The trunk offers a capacity of 380L, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split, expanding the storage space further—enough to hold a baby stroller or suitcase, making it suitable for daily needs.

In terms of powertrain, the Atto 2 Premium is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering a maximum power of 130kW (177PS) and a peak torque of 290Nm, paired with a single-speed transmission in a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. Officially, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. During daily driving, the vehicle starts and accelerates nimbly, especially on city roads where pressing the accelerator provides a noticeable pushback. The car offers three driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is rather smooth, making it suitable for daily commutes; in Sport mode, the power response becomes more immediate, giving more confidence during overtaking. The suspension setup includes MacPherson independent suspension in the front and a torsion beam non-independent suspension in the rear, with an overall tuning oriented towards comfort. When driving over speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension absorbs most of the minor vibrations, preventing significant jolts to the vehicle. During cornering, the body’s roll is well-controlled, and the steering wheel is quite precise, making daily driving more effortless.

In terms of range and charging, the official all-electric range is 410km. We tested it under conditions with an even split between city roads and highways, and the actual range can reach around 360km, achieving about 90% of the stated range, which is quite good. The fast-charging time is 0.46 hours (around 28 minutes), allowing the battery to go from 30% to 80%, which makes it quite convenient for daily emergency charging. In terms of energy consumption, the electricity consumption in city road driving is around 13kWh/100km, and on highways, it’s about 15kWh/100km. Overall, the energy consumption performance is average. Regarding driving assistance configurations, the L2-level assisted driving system includes ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active braking, and front collision warning, among others. When using ACC cruise on highways, the vehicle can maintain a stable following distance, effectively reducing driving fatigue. The combination of a 360-degree panoramic camera and front and rear radars makes parking easier, allowing even beginners to handle it with ease.

In terms of driving comfort, the vehicle’s noise control is well-executed. When driving on city roads, tire noise and wind noise are relatively minimal. At high speeds, wind noise becomes slightly more noticeable but does not affect normal communication among passengers inside the car. The seats are quite comfortable, and long-distance driving does not cause back or waist discomfort. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels, and even at the highest level, the recovery force is relatively linear, without significant drag, making daily driving smooth and comfortable.

Overall, the core advantage of the BYD Atto 2 Premium lies in its balanced performance: a price of 100,000 MYR gets you 177PS of power, a 410km range, L2-level assisted driving, and a comfortable interior space. Its cost performance stands out among vehicles in the same price range. Compared with similar electric vehicles, such as the MG ZS EV or Honda e:NP1, the Atto 2 Premium offers certain advantages in terms of configuration and space. This car is suitable for family users who prioritize cost-effectiveness and practicality. It can meet the needs of daily commuting and weekend getaways, especially for consumers who need a balance between space and smart configurations. If you’re looking for an affordable electric vehicle with rich features and sufficient interior space, the Atto 2 Premium is worth considering.