In the RM100,000 price bracket, BYD Malaysia actually sells three different types of vehicles. Previously, I’ve already taken a closer look at the Seal 6 sedan and the M6 MPV. So, this leaves us with the Atto 2 SUV, which sits in the same price bracket. This makes the Atto 2 the cheapest electric SUV you can get in Malaysia. But with the market being saturated with so many vehicles in this segment, does the Atto 2 have a place to co-exist within this price range? Let’s find out.
As the Atto 2 was designed as a small SUV, it naturally gets a typical SUV silhouette. But when it comes to size, it’s actually considered small by EV standards. It sits below the Atto 3 in terms of market positioning. This gives SUV lovers who want something that isn’t too big, but still offers the higher seating position, a good alternative. 
The Atto 2 is unmistakably a BYD, as it carries the brand’s family design language. It shares some design similarities with the Atto 3 and the Seal 6. This is particularly obvious when looking at it from the front, especially in the way the headlights are designed. Move to the side, and you’ll find a rather smooth side profile. The body lines fade nicely into the shape of the vehicle, giving it a more elegant look. And for the Atto 2, I’m happy to say that BYD did not give it any retractable door handles, so owners don’t have to deal with another potential failure point. The Atto 2 is equipped with a set of 17-inch rims, wrapped in 215/60 R17 tyres. 
As for the rear, you do get a light bar across the tailgate. And this tailgate basically dominates the rear of the vehicle. Below it, you’ll find a rear bumper that comes mainly in black plastic to give the vehicle a more rugged look. But overall, the Atto 2 is actually quite a conventional-looking SUV. It blends in well with the vehicles around it. If you want an EV that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, the Atto 2 actually does this quite well. It allows you to fly under the radar easily.
Stepping on board, the Atto 2 does not stray away from the typical Chinese car interior. While the fit and finish are good, it just isn’t that inspiring. But because of its price point, more hard plastics are found inside the Atto 2. Even so, these hard plastics actually don’t feel cheap at all. On the dashboard, you’ll find two displays as per usual: an 8.8-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen. 
For the Atto 2’s instrument cluster, it’s actually an integrated panel that fits snugly onto the dashboard. Even so, it doesn’t get away from being rectangular in shape. It carries the latest BYD instrument panel graphics, and it provides you with all the necessary information you need. As for the infotainment system, it’s also the usual affair. There’s a familiar layout with all the necessary features inside it. These features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as, of course, a 360-degree camera. Similar to earlier BYD models, the rotating display is also available here on the Atto 2. The sound system is quite usual, with eight speakers pumping out music.
In terms of the seats, the Atto 2 gets synthetic leather throughout the cabin. The main colour inside the vehicle is black. And as a driver, you do get plenty of adjustments to get yourself into a comfortable driving position. While the seating position is good, the driver’s seat is mainly designed for comfort rather than being body-hugging. If you like plenty of wiggle room in the driver’s seat, the Atto 2 will make you feel comfortable. 
As for the rear, there’s a good amount of legroom and headroom for rear passengers to feel comfortable. But thigh support isn’t the best. Considering the price and size of the vehicle, however, it’s acceptable. Rear passengers only get a single AC vent in the rear, so they’ll have to share. But the saving grace is that the rear cabin isn’t that big either. There are both USB-A and USB-C charging ports for rear passengers to use when needed. Behind the rear seats, you do get a decently sized boot, measuring 400 litres. For the size of the Atto 2, it’s acceptable. It’s good for daily use, and you also have the option to fold the rear seats flat if you need to. And it’s completely flat, so sliding items forwards is easy.
As for its powertrain, the Atto 2 utilises a single electric motor located at the front of the vehicle. This makes the vehicle front-wheel drive. The electric motor is powered by a 51.13kWh battery, which has a claimed range of 410km based on the NEDC rating. The single electric motor can produce 177 PS and 290 Nm of torque. This allows the Atto 2 to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h.
As with most EVs, they barely feel bogged down when getting off the line. The instant torque makes the vehicle feel sprightly, even though it has just a single electric motor. But being a single-motor setup, the acceleration is more linear than what you get from a dual-motor setup. It’s a great setup when driving around the city. But just like most front-wheel-drive EVs, the front end will feel light when you plant your foot on the throttle. This is very common among EVs with this setup. On a full charge, the Atto 2 is good for about 320km of real-world range. This is on the shorter side for my liking. But for people driving around town, it works. I personally would prefer a longer range, but a longer range means a bigger battery. So, this range is just not my cup of tea. 
As expected, the ride of the Atto 2 leans more towards the comfort side. It soaks up all the road imperfections, and you can barely feel them in the cabin. But when you prioritise comfort, it means you’ll feel more body roll through the corners. The ride is far from being sporty, but it wasn’t meant to be sporty from the get-go anyway. As for the handling, to be fair, there’s nothing much to shout about. It provides good enough accuracy to go where you point it, but it’s not going to set you on fire when you show it some corners. It’s an okay SUV to drive, but I don’t find it exciting in the slightest. At least, it’ll bring you to your destination safely. 
And also, in BYD fashion, the regenerative brakes feel vague when you step on the pedal. By the time you feel the vehicle slowing down, the physical brakes would have already cut in to slow it down. I’m still not a fan of the way BYD tunes its brakes, but I believe others would find it more natural. As for ADAS, the BYD is fully loaded with all the modern-day ADAS features to keep you safe on the road. The Atto 2 comes standard with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Intelligent Speed Limit Information (ISLI), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Auto Emergency Brake (AEB), and Lane Departure Assist (LDA).
With a price tag of RM100,000, the Atto 2 is definitely a good entry point for those who want an electric SUV. To be fair, it’s nothing really special, but it gets the job done. But for me, it didn’t really click, so I don’t think the vehicle works for me. For those who like the idea of an electric SUV, however, they could give the Atto 2 a chance if they want something small and easy to live with. It’s not a bad vehicle. It’s just not for me.
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