Compact SUV crafted with eco-friendly leather seats

I AM constantly intrigued by the technical innovations that these days make your car more like a mobile phone rather than something that merely transports you from A to B.

Take the new electric BYD ATTO 2, which features something called vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology. This enables owners to, and I quote, “power external devices such as a coffee machine or lawnmower”.

According to BYD, the Chinese EV carmaker, the driver employs “Hi BYD” intelligent voice control to command the V2L technology.

What Car? explains that if you own a ATTO 2 with V2L, this “essentially lets you use the charging port as a three-pin plug to power things like a laptop charger or a kettle”.

BYD (Build Your Dream) became the fastest growing car brand in the in UK selling 8,700 cars in 2024.

And that trend could continue. Recently BYD announced prices for the ATTO 2 SUV. It is available in two trim levels — Boost and Comfort — and prices start from £30,850 on-the-road for Boost, while Comfort starts at £34,950 on-the-road.

The ATTO 2 comes well equipped as standard, with items such as 12.8in rotatable touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, high-tech audio system with eight speakers.

Boost models feature a 51.1kWh battery which delivers up to 214 miles of range, rising to 302 miles for city driving.

It is fitted with an 82kW DC on-board charger which means it can charge from 30 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

Comfort models benefit from a larger 64.8kWh battery, which delivers up to 261 miles of range.

A 155kW on-board DC charger is fitted as standard, allowing the ATTO 2 to charge in 21 minutes from 30 to 80 per cent.

The car also features BYD’s Blade Battery which is designed to deliver durability and performance.

For the first time on a compact BYD, ATTO 2 showcases cell-to-body (CTB) technology. CTB integrates the battery into the vehicle chassis, with the top cover of the pack acting as the floor for the passenger compartment.

The CTB layout, which is unique to BYD and a first in the compact SUV segment, “delivers improved packaging and exceptional levels of body rigidity”. LED headlights are paired with distinctive daytime-running lights to optimise visibility and safety.

The interior is “crafted with eco-friendly sleek vegan leather seats”. The rotatable screen integrates navigation, apps and infotainment features.

The multifunctional seats have electronic adjustment to the motorist’s seating preference plus a heating function.

This compact SUV has a boot capacity of 400 litres, which can be expanded to 1,340 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Smart in-cabin storage ensures that there’s space for essentials, from suitcases to shopping bags.

The panoramic sunroof helps the cabin’s spacious and airy feel. With ambient lighting and wireless charging, the ATTO 2 offers a mix of flexibility and versatility.

An advanced driving-assistance system is standard in the ATTO 2. There is an advanced energy-saving heat-pump system as standard.

Operating in a broad range of temperatures, the system is designed to utilise residual heat from the car’s surroundings, the powertrain, passenger compartment and even the batteries. With the convenience of NFC keyless entry, using a card or a phone, the BYD ATTO 2 the owner can prepare for a journey in advance, in hot or cold conditions, by activating the air conditioning via remote control.

First deliveries of the ATTO 2 are due from September onwards (the Comfort model arrives later in 2025).

According to What Car? the ATTO 2 is “practical for a small electric SUV, plus its infotainment system is certainly among the stronger options in the class. However, other rivals are more comfortable and better to drive, and can travel further on a full charge.”

Auto Express said: “BYD may have only arrived in the UK two years ago but the ATTO 2 is the Chinese carmaker’s seventh model to go on sale here and another six will join its line-up.”

BYD was founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker and now has “a diverse business scope covering automobiles, rail transit, new energy, and electronics”.

BYD Auto was founded in 2003, as an automotive subsidiary of BYD, to focus on developing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The company has remained top of new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 11 years in a row.