Hybrid for Less: BYD ATTO 2 DM-i Hits UK with 621-Mile Range from £26,995

BYD is bringing its plug-in hybrid technology to the supermini SUV class with the ATTO 2 DM-i, a car that starts from £26,995 and promises a combined electric and petrol range of up to 621 miles. Order books open on 2 June, with first deliveries expected in August.

The ATTO 2 DM-i joins the fully electric ATTO 2 in BYD’s UK line-up, giving buyers the choice of a plug-in hybrid at the same compact dimensions. It also extends a growing family of DM-i models in the UK: the SEAL U was BYD’s first DM-i car here, followed by the SEALION 5 at £29,995. The ATTO 2 DM-i pushes that price floor down to £26,995, making plug-in hybrid ownership more accessible than it has been in this segment.

How the DM-i System Works

DM-i stands for Dual Mode-intelligent, and it represents BYD’s distinctive take on the plug-in hybrid formula. Rather than running the petrol engine and electric motor in parallel, the system prioritises electric power for the vast majority of driving. The 1.5-litre Xiaoyun four-cylinder petrol engine, which achieves a class-leading thermal efficiency of 43%, functions primarily as a generator to recharge the battery or supplement power under heavy load. It only drives the wheels directly under the most demanding conditions.

In everyday driving, the car behaves more like an electric vehicle, with the petrol engine stepping in quietly when needed. The result is weighted fuel consumption figures that make for remarkable reading: 201.7mpg for the Active and 470.8mpg for the Boost. Those are WLTP combined figures that assume regular charging, but even without consistent access to a plug, the total range of 577 miles (Active) and 621 miles (Boost) mean range anxiety is effectively off the table.

Active or Boost: Which Trim to Choose

The ATTO 2 DM-i is available in two configurations. The Active, at £26,995, comes with a 7.8kWh BYD Blade Battery. That provides up to 31 miles of pure electric running in city conditions and 24 miles on the WLTP combined cycle, while the petrol engine extends total range to 577 miles. Power output is 165PS with 300Nm of torque, giving a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 111mph.

The Boost, at £29,995, steps up to an 18kWh battery, more than doubling the electric capacity. WLTP city range in electric mode rises to 93 miles, the combined EV figure climbs to 55 miles, and total range increases to 621 miles. Power rises to 212PS, with 0-62mph cut to 7.5 seconds. Charging on the Boost is faster as well: a 6.6kW AC connection versus the Active’s 3.3kW, with a full charge taking approximately three hours.

Standard equipment on the Active is well-specified for the price. It includes 16-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, a digital instrument cluster, fabric upholstery, four USB ports, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The Boost adds 17-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, rear privacy glass, front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, electrically folding mirrors, vegan leather on the seats and steering wheel, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and Vehicle-to-Load charging, which lets the car’s battery power external devices.

Google Automotive Services on Every Model

One of the more significant inclusions on the ATTO 2 DM-i is Google Automotive Services, fitted as standard on both trims. The 12.8-inch central touchscreen runs Google Maps as the native navigation system, Google Assistant for voice control, and the Google Play Store for app downloads. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both supported alongside these built-in services.

The Active gets two USB-C ports up front (rated at 60W and 18W) plus two USB ports for rear passengers. The Boost adds a 50W wireless charging pad, keeping devices topped up with minimal effort on longer journeys.

How It Compares to the Competition

At 4,330mm long and 1,830mm wide, the ATTO 2 DM-i sits in the compact SUV class alongside cars such as the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Volkswagen T-Roc. Plug-in hybrid variants of those rivals typically command a significant premium over their petrol counterparts, and few achieve the kind of electric range that the Boost’s 55-mile combined or 93-mile city figure delivers. A 425-litre boot, expanding to 1,335 litres with the rear seats folded, matches or betters most rivals in the class.

BYD’s DM-i approach is also conceptually different from many rival PHEVs. Most conventional plug-in hybrids struggle to sustain electric running at motorway speeds or under heavier acceleration, falling back to petrol quickly. The ATTO 2 DM-i’s architecture keeps the electric motor doing the majority of work for longer, which is reflected in those weighted fuel economy figures.

For buyers who want to cut fuel costs but cannot commit to a pure electric vehicle, whether due to range concerns, charging access or budget, the ATTO 2 DM-i makes a strong case at both price points. The Boost in particular, with its 18kWh battery and 93 miles of city electric range, covers most commuting distances on electric power alone while removing any anxiety about longer trips.

Order books open on 2 June 2026, with first deliveries scheduled for August. Both trims are front-wheel drive.