A COMPACT SUV is the next model from BYD as the Chinese EV giant enters the most competitive part of the car market with the Atto 2.

Measuring 4.31 metres long, 1.83 metres wide and standing 1.675 metres high and with a 2.62 metre wheelbase it is similar in size to the new Renault 4 E-Tech and the Ford Puma GEN-E.

Boot space ranges from 400 to 450 litres depending on trim level and lowering the rear seats extends that to 1,340 litres or 1,370 litres on higher specification Comfort models which BYD says is more than most family hatchbacks in this class.

The Atto 2 features BYD's Blade Battery with a capacity of 51.1kWh in Boost models and 64.8 kWh in Comfort, and for the first time in a compact BYD model, it uses Cell-to-Body construction which integrates the battery completely into the vehicle chassis, with the top cover of the pack acting as the floor for the passenger compartment.

The ATTO 2 Boost has a front-mounted motor producing 176ps or 204ps in Comfort versions which gives both a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds and a maximum of 99mph with a driving range of up to 267 miles.

Boost cars have a range of 214 miles with a city figure of 302 miles while Comfort models with a larger 64.8 kWh battery can manage 375 miles around town.

From a fast charger the car can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in 25 minutes while a full charge from a home charger takes 7hr 12 mins.

The Atto 2 is a good looking car with its styling set off by cut out detailing in the sill cladding which produces a classy appearance in profile.

Prices start from £30,850 for Boost versions, while Comfort models start at £34,950 which is competitive with six year warranty protection and eight years for the battery up to more than 150,000 miles.

On the road the Atto 2 has few faults and drives competently with driving modes for Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow.

We have no reason to doubt BYD's range claims with the car showing 123 miles remaining at 55 per cent capacity after more than 100 miles of motorway work.

Trim levels are high with all versions of the Atto 2 having a panoramic sunroof as well as a heat pump.

All versions also feature an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, with a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen with BYD's in-car software bringing support for apps such as Spotify, YouTube, Zoom and Amazon Music. It's also capable of receiving Over The Air upgrades.

The in-car systems include wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - and passengers have ample opportunity to keep their devices charged, with 60W USB Type C and a 7.5W Type A ports up front, and two further USB sockets in the rear.

The Atto 2 also gets a 15W wireless charging pad in the centre console as well as a vehicle-to-load function allowing for external devices to be powered.

The centre console contains a pair of cup-holders and an integrated arm rest, which opens up to reveal one of several storage areas.

The area also incorporates hard keys for some key functions, such as the windscreen demister, along with a volume knob for the sound system.

There's also a full suite of driver assist systems such as a driver monitoring system, adaptive and intelligent cruise control, intelligent speed limit information and control, lane keep assistant, lane change assist, blind spot detection, door opening warning, traffic sign recognition and forward and rear collision warning as well as rear cross traffic alert with rear cross traffic braking.

The Atto 3 was the car that started the BYD story in the UK back in 2022 and although the compact model bears the same root name it is very different.

In less than three years it now commands a growing two per cent market share putting it in the same league as the likes of Land Rover, Nissan, MINI and Volvo and with seven new models launched in that time it can only be a continuing trajectory for the booming Chinese company.