It’s not all rosy, though, because BYD’s safety systems can be intrusive to the point of distraction, while the driving experience is remote and uninvolving. The Atto 2 is best suited to shorter urban trips where range and slow charging speeds won’t be an issue and its comfort won’t be put to the test too rigorously. Yet the standard kit will keep everyone happy.
Runner up: Vauxhall Frontera Electric
The Frontera has plenty of appealing traits, such as its generous cabin space, comfortable ride and large boot, while competitive pricing means it should be on any family-car buyer’s shortlist. However, the electric version offers a few too many compromises.
The electric motor isn’t very responsive, but it doesn’t offer a long range in return, and this is likely to be frustrating if you are unable to charge at home. We’d recommend upgrading to the Extended Range car, but this will feel even more sluggish because there’s no extra power to compensate for its bigger battery. We think the petrol hybrid makes more sense.
Prices and specs
| Vauxhall Frontera Electric | BYD Atto 2 | |
| Price from/our pick | £25,495/£27,895 (exc. £1,500 Govt. Electric Car Grant) | £30,850/£34,950 |
| Powertrain and performance | ||
| Powertrain | 1x electric motor | 1x electric motor |
| Power | 111bhp | 175bhp |
| Torque | 125Nm | 290Nm |
| Transmission | Single-speed/fwd | Single-speed/fwd |
| 0-62mph/top speed | 12.8 seconds/88mph | 7.9 seconds/99mph |
| Battery capacity/usable | 44/44kWh | 51.1/45kWh |
| Official range | 186 miles | 214 miles |
| Test efficiency/range | 2.8mi/kWh/123 miles | 4.0mi/kWh/180 miles |
| Maximum DC charging | 100kW (20-80% in 26 mins) | 82kW (30-80% in 29 mins) |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length/wheelbase | 4,385/2,670mm | 4,310/2,620mm |
| Width/height | 1,795/1655mm | 1,830/1,675mm |
| Rear kneeroom | 630-865mm | 635-895mm |
| Rear headroom/elbow room | 1,030/1,400mm | 935/1,440mm |
| Boot space (front/seats up/down) | N/A/460/1,600 litres | N/A/400/1,340 litres |
| Boot length/width | 805/1,010mm | 715/855mm |
| Boot lip height | 760mm | 745mm |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,514/516kg/N/A | 1,590/410/750kg |
| Turning circle | 10.9 metres | 10.8 metres |
| Costs/ownership | ||
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000 miles) | £9,793/37.1% | £14,854/42.5% |
| Depreciation | £14,202 | £15,996 |
| Insurance group/quote/VED | 16/£882/£195 | 30/£603/£195 |
| Three-year service cost | £0 | TBC |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £158/£316 | £185/£369 |
| Annual fuel cost (10,000 miles) | £943 | £660 |
| Basic warranty/recovery | 3yrs (60,000 miles)/8yrs | 6yrs (93,750 miles)/4yrs |
| Driver Power manufacturer position | 4th | N/A |
| NCAP Adult/child/ped./assist/stars | N/A | N/A |
| Equipment | ||
| Metallic paint/wheel size | £650/17 inches | £750/17 inches |
| Parking sensors/camera | Front & rear/rear | Front & rear/360 degrees |
| Spare wheel/Isofix points | Repair kit/two | Repair kit/two |
| Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate | No/no | Yes/no |
| Leather/heated seats/wheel | No/yes/yes | Artificial/yes/yes |
| Screen size/digital dashboard | 10/10 inches | 12.8/8.8 inches |
| Climate control/panoramic sunroof | Dual-zone/no | Yes/yes |
| USBs/wireless charging | Four/yes | Four/yes |
| Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto | Yes/yes | Yes/yes |
| Blind-spot warning/head-up display | Yes/no | Yes/no |
| Adaptive cruise/heat pump | No/no | Yes/yes |
What we would choose
Vauxhall Frontera
For a more rugged look, the Design styling pack adds a white roof and 16-inch white steel wheels for £400 to the base model. Aside from that, the choice is whether you want to upgrade from the standard black metallic paint.
BYD Atto 2
The only cost option on the Atto 2 is paint, and we think Hiking Green is a neat option that’s a break from humdrum grey, white or black. You can choose beige upholstery at no extra cost if you can guarantee it’ll stay clean.
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