New BYD Atto 2 DM-i: small SUV gains plug-in hybrid power
The BYD Atto 2 will soon be available as a plug-in hybrid with up to 56 miles of all-electric range...
On sale Early 2026 Price from £28,000 (est)
The new BYD Atto 2 DM-i will be a rather unique offering when it arrives in 2026. That’s because it’ll be the smallest car on sale to offer plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, in an attempt to diversify its power options as small electric SUVs begin to flood the market.
The DM-i power option will use what BYD calls a ‘Super Hybrid’ system with DM technology. That probably won’t make much sense right now, and unfortunately we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out exactly what will power the Atto 2 PHEV since technical information is currently thin on the ground.
However, like its all-electric counterpart, the Atto 2 PHEV will offer two battery sizes with varying power outputs. BYD claims it will be able to travel up to 56 miles on pure electric power, with a total combined (electric and petrol) range of more than 1000km, or 621 miles.
For reference, the Jeep Renegade 4xe PHEV, which is probably the Atto 2 PHEV’s closest rival, can officially manage 22 miles of petrol-free driving – though that model is due to be phased out soon to be reborn as an EV for 2027.
It’s expected that the Atto 2 PHEV will broadly align with its EV counterpart in terms of power output. That car pumps out 174bhp or 201bhp depending on the version you opt for.
The BYD Seal U family SUV also uses a DM-i system in its PHEV form, which we found to be quite impressive when it underwent our testing. It switched between petrol and electric power smoothly, and only let in a little engine and wind noise at high speeds.
Visually, the Atto 2 PHEV looks broadly similar to its electric car counterpart, though it’s differentiated by a slightly larger grille, decorative features in the lower bumper and different badging at the rear. It also does away with the side vents in the front wings.
The BYD Atto 2 PHEV is due to be fully unveiled next month, with first examples expected in showrooms at the start of 2026. Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed, but we’d expect it to be slightly cheaper than its EV counterpart, which starts at £30,850.
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