2027 BYD Atto 2 DM-i review: Quick drive

Careful, you'll get whiplash trying to keep up with the Chinese car industry.

The claim that a new Chinese SUV is either announced for Australia or makes its local market debut every day really isn't far from the truth, and that's before you get into the unthinkably cheap pricing with which each brand constantly undercuts the next.

If we had to pick one brand at the front of it all, we'd probably go with BYD. Not only has it fed the Australian market a steady stream of new electrified models, but it continues to undercut itself on price.

It recently slashed pricing for the Atto 1 electric hatch to make it Australia's cheapest new electric vehicle (EV), only a few months after it launched Australia's cheapest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in the form of the Sealion 5 mid-size SUV.

At least, that was until the BYD Atto 2 DM-i showed up.

With a starting price of $24,990 before on-road costs, the Atto 2 DM-i Essential is now Australia's cheapest PHEV by a comfortable margin. It's also the first and so far only mainstream plug-in hybrid small SUV on sale here, something the Chinese brand is quite proud of.

The higher-spec Premium trim completes the DM-i lineup, and both PHEV variants come in addition to the all-electric Atto 2 EV, which was launched late last year. It also arrives alongside the larger and heavily updated Atto 3 Evo electric SUV, which we'll cover in a separate review.

To sample Australia's cheapest PHEV, CarExpert was among media outlets invited to its official local launch in Sydney. Unfortunately, the brand only had the top-spec Atto 2 DM-i Premium on hand to drive, with the price-leading Essential not yet available.

Even so, is the Atto 2 DM-i the model that will revolutionise the small SUV segment?

How much does the BYD Atto 2 cost?

With a starting price of $24,990 before on-road costs, the Atto 2 DM-i is easily Australia's cheapest plug-in hybrid vehicle.

There are no other PHEVs in the small SUV segment, so we'll compare it against a pair of plugless hybrids instead. One is the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid, which currently starts at $29,990 drive-away thanks to a limited-time deal.

The other is the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid, which is also available for $29,990 drive-away as part of a promotional deal.

For context, the next-cheapest PHEV on sale is BYD's own Sealion 5, which starts at $33,990 before on-roads.

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the BYD Atto 2 like on the inside?

The Atto 2 DM-i's cabin is nearly identical to that of the Atto 2 EV that's already on sale. That's no bad thing, because it's still noticeably more upmarket than its small SUV competitors.

That impression boils down to interior material choice and ergonomics. The materials, for a start, all look and feel premium, to the point that you'd be forgiven for thinking this SUV is much more expensive than it is.

We said the same in our most recent review of the Atto 2 EV, and it bears greater weight in the DM-i given its sub-$30,000 price tag. The entry-level Essential is unlikely to receive quite the same praise, but we don't expect it to be prohibitively stripped back, either.

In any case, the Premium proves a pleasant place to spend time. The seats are comfortable, and because they lose the integrated head restraints of the EV, there's plenty of adjustment range – though there's no seat-base angle movement, which is typical of Chinese SUVs.

Further, the armrests are padded, and most key touchpoints are also finished in smooth synthetic leather that's soft to the touch.

Visually, the Atto 2 certainly doesn't offer the most interesting cabin. But it's clean, spacious, and inoffensive, which is all it needs to be in this segment. We're also pleased to find there's no piano-black plastic anywhere.

However, BYD's tech-heavy approach leaves a bit to be desired. The only physical controls are those on the centre console and steering wheel, and even there they are in low supply.

This leaves most functions locked within the central touchscreen. While the user interface and software are fairly slick, the display's physical integration as an iPad lazily bolted to the dashboard is inelegant. But it's far from the only new model with that problem.

When it comes to interacting with the touchscreen, however, we found that simple functions often required an annoying number of inputs. There are menus upon menus, with the climate controls being particularly cumbersome in their always-on ribbon at the bottom of the screen.

At least BYD's three-finger swiping gesture functionality for fan speed and temperature remain, as does wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Once you've understood those few interactions/apps, there's little reason to mess with the rest of the screen.

And if there's anything those functions can't handle, a handy voice assistant is also included. Things will always be more complicated with this approach than any old-school interior, but it does help that you aren't waiting on a laggy system or a display with tiny icons as you learn the car.

That said, the instrument display is somewhat more cumbersome. Characterised by cheap-looking graphics, this screen is navigated exclusively via the steering wheel buttons, but it isn't clear which buttons do what.

There's obviously plenty of information here, but we wish it was easier to find. At least in its default layout, shown every time you start the car, crucial readouts like speed, battery charge, and even power levels will always be at the forefront.

Elsewhere, you'll find decent storage. There's a reasonably sized central storage box, two cupholders in the centre console, and a sizable tray below. In that tray are two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C), but only the DM-i Premium gets a wireless phone charger above.

The second row is spacious enough, with headroom and legroom both being generous despite this SUV's modest physical size. A reasonably comfortable bench seat should also keep occupants satisfied.

Amenities back here aren't exactly plentiful, but there's still more of them than in several rivals. Of note are a single rear-facing air vent and two additional USB ports, along with multi-tiered map pockets and bottle holders in the doors.

The Premium's panoramic glass roof makes its cabin feel quite airy, even with the black headliner. Like the EV, though, the rear doors don't open wide enough, which isn't ideal when combined with the narrow opening aperture.

There is, however, a completely flat floor, a benefit of this front-wheel drive platform.

Moving to the back reveals a reasonably sized boot. Curiously, the PHEV's 425-litre quoted capacity is larger than the EV's 380L, at least on paper, but that doesn't give you more floor space.

Instead, it's the plastic 'shoulders' above the strut towers on either side that have been cupped out, giving you more lateral space than in the EV. That's still somewhat odd though, given the extra space is only practical from about half a metre above the floor.

Regardless, the boot is decent, and competitive alongside its key segment rivals. Chery quotes 470L of boot space in the Tiggo 4 Hybrid, while GWM quotes a measly 255L for the Jolion Hybrid.

Unfortunately, the Atto 2 DM-i is consistent with the EV in coming only with a tyre repair kit, rather than any type of spare wheel. But that's also no different to the Jolion Hybrid and Tiggo 4 Hybrid Urban (though the Ultimate gets a space-saver).

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

Two powertrains are available for the Atto 2 DM-i, differentiated by battery capacity and combined power output. The Premium's PHEV system incorporates a single electric motor, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, and an 18.03kWh lithium iron phosphate 'Blade' battery pack.

Claimed electric-only driving range varies greatly between the Essential and Premium. That means the smaller battery capacity is the most significant sacrifice if you're buying the base grade.

Unfortunately, we didn't get enough time in any one Atto 2 DM-i during BYD's launch event to record a representative real-world fuel consumption figure.

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the BYD Atto 2 drive?

Unsurprisingly, the driving experience is best summed up as inoffensive.

BYD knows small SUVs don't need to be particularly interesting or exciting; they merely need to get from A to B while causing as few headaches as possible.

And despite the PHEV being the most complicated powertrain in Australia's small SUV segment, this Atto 2 DM-i is no more confusing or annoying to drive than its all-electric counterpart. It remains as straightforward as pressing the start/stop button on the centre console and hitting the throttle.

If a prospective buyer is coming from an older vehicle, taking the Atto 2 DM-i for a test drive should quickly quell any unease about the PHEV system's complexities. You can hop in and drive it just as easily as any other vehicle in this segment.

The car behaves as expected when left to its own devices, prioritising electric power and only falling back on the petrol engine under hard throttle or at low battery charge, but BYD has also catered for those inclined to take advantage of the PHEV smarts on their own.

There's an EV/HEV button on the centre console, which alters the PHEV system's behaviour. EV mode is fairly self-explanatory with its electric-centric operation, while HEV (hybrid) mode is when the petrol engine becomes most obvious.

In this mode, the engine will be firing most of the time, providing a small boost of power to help you along. This is only the case during hard acceleration, because the engine is actually used primarily as a generator.

BYD says the car is deliberately calibrated this way, and it means the powertrain will always run out of petrol before electrical charge. That's intended to provide peace of mind if you aren't in a position to plug in and charge, and we did see battery charge increase as we drove along with the engine firing.

The electric motor is still far stronger and has noticeably more punch when jumping on the throttle, but the interaction between the two methods of propulsion is consistently smooth.

In fact, smoothness appears to be a real theme here, as the Atto 2 DM-i was never clunky on our admittedly short drive. This has long been the case for BYD's more expensive PHEVs, so it's reassuring to find similarly strong traits in this budget-oriented vehicle.

However, the car's refinement exposes those budget leanings. While the electric version of the Atto 2 is relatively quiet inside, the addition of a petrol engine in the DM-i erodes that serenity more than we expected.

The four-pot ticker is noisy, and its vibrations can be felt through the floor. We're willing to forgive some of this given the car's price point, but you'll definitely be able to tell when the petrol engine has kicked in. Road noise, in contrast, remains at a comfortable level.

Otherwise, the Atto 2 PHEV is well resolved. Power outputs are acceptable if unremarkable and, as mentioned, its instant electric torque helps it feel fairly spritely off the line. We don't expect the Essential to be much different here, even if its total power output is lower.

There are also two regenerative braking settings to choose from, but the Atto 2 DM-i continues BYD's tradition of omitting a true one-pedal driving mode. Both of the settings you do get are reasonably well calibrated and easy to understand, tying in nicely with the intuitive feel of the throttle and brakes.

Likewise, the Atto 2 PHEV's dynamics are solid without being outstanding. It can hold its own around a turn without too much body roll, but the steering is numb and light, while front-end response is generally vague. Again, this is mostly acceptable for this class of vehicle, and some will appreciate the low-effort character.

The ride, meanwhile, errs on the firmer side, but it's tuned well enough to feel confident rather than skittish. That's a weird contrast with the lifeless steering, though selecting Sport mode does artificially increase steering weight. It still isn't the nicest feel, though.

From a tech perspective, the Atto 2 PHEV is as good as the EV. The only real annoyance is the speed limit warning, but it isn't particularly loud, and every other safety system only seems to pop up when there's genuinely an issue.

All said, the Atto 2 DM-i is just fine. It doesn't do anything wrong and appears to have a fairly well-sorted powertrain, which, for the price, is pretty remarkable.

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

There are now three grades in the Australian Atto 2 lineup.

2027 BYD Atto 2 Essential (PHEV only) equipment highlights:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated side mirrors
• Polyurethane steering wheel
• Cloth seat upholstery
• 6-way manual driver's seat
• 4-way manual front passenger seat
• 8.8-inch digital instrument display
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 4-speaker sound system
• Over-the-air software updates
• Single-zone climate control
• Keyless entry

Atto 2 Dynamic (EV only) adds:

• Heat pump
• Synthetic leather seat upholstery
• 3kW V2L functionality

Atto 2 Premium adds:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Power-folding side mirrors
• 6-way power driver's seat
• 6-way manual front passenger seat – PHEV
• 4-way power front passenger seat – EV
• Heated front seats
• Ventilated front seats – EV
• 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 8-speaker sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• Interior ambient lighting
• Panoramic glass roof
• 3kW V2L functionality – PHEV

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the BYD Atto 2 safe?

The BYD Atto 2 has yet to be assessed by ANCAP nor Euro NCAP and is therefore unrated.

Standard safety equipment highlights:

• 6 airbags, incl:
• • Front
  • Side
  • Side curtain
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-centring
• Lane-departure assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Surround-view camera – PHEV
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Atto 2 Premium adds:

• Front parking sensors
• Surround-view camera – EV

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the BYD Atto 2 cost to run?

BYD Australia backs its range with a six-year, 150,000km warranty, and its EV batteries with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. Servicing for the Atto 2 is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

BYD's individual service costs are detailed below:

In comparison, the Tiggo 4 Hybrid is cheaper to service over five years. Chery caps the first five services at $299 each, totalling $1495.

It's a similar story for the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid, for which five years of capped-price servicing totals $2075.

To see how the BYD Atto 2 stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the BYD Atto 2 DM-i Premium

From our short time behind the wheel of the Atto 2 PHEV, it seems BYD has another winner on its hands.

It doesn't seem too long ago that the BYD Sealion 6 single-handedly kickstarted a proper PHEV uprising in Australia, and that made two things clear. One, Australians were ready to adopt PHEV tech at a larger scale than before, and two, many weren't terribly concerned about the country of origin.

So the Atto 2 DM-i is landing on strong foundations. There's no arguing that its price is exceptional, and with its petrol engine as a backup, the average Aussie will likely find it more approachable than the Atto 2 EV.

That said, we still think the Atto 2 EV is the better vehicle to drive. It's smoother, quieter, and feels slightly more composed on the road, although it has a higher price tag and a relatively short driving range.

Even so, the Atto 2 DM-i does a lot right, at least in Premium guise. Whether the same remains true for the cut-price Essential, we'll have to wait and see.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new BYD Atto 2. Click here to get a great deal.

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MORE: Explore the BYD Atto 2 showroom