The upcoming refresh of BYD’s Atto 2 has been spotted in China. Spy shots show the EV crossover with a new rear-mounted charge port. It’s also expected to be offered with a rear motor RWD drivetrain, as well as an optional LiDAR unit for assisted driving. The Atto 2 is known as the Yuan UP in its home market.
What’s new with the Atto 2
The latest sightings of the new Atto 2 show it with turquoise-coloured theming, accented bumpers, door handles, side mirrors, and side skirts. It’s unclear if this will be an optional cosmetic pack or simply BYD-applied camouflage.
Other cosmetic changes remain minimal, with the new car losing its colored lower lip on the front bumper. Its interior is largely unchanged, too, with the biggest differentiator from global Atto 2s being the “Yuan” logo on the steering wheel.
The charge port has also been moved from the front fender to the rear. It now resembles a conventional fuel door. This location is a common complaint among Chinese owners, who are used to backing into parking spaces and charging stations.
New suspension & RWD drivetrain
Underneath the Atto 2, though, is where the major changes occur. Its chassis has been overhauled, with the motor moved to the back for an RWD drivetrain. Chinese Atto 2s will now receive 100- and 120-kW rear motors (134 and 161 hp), a slight downgrade from the existing 130-kW (174-hp) top-trim front motor.
Global Atto 2s are currently offered with 130- and 150-kW (174- and 201-hp) front motors. It’s expected that BYD will include a slight power boost for the refreshed export models, a practice commonly seen on the automaker’s other exports.
The switch to RWD didn’t infuence the in-cabin space as the car’s wheelbase remained the same at 2,620 mm. All trims are now expected to feature front McPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension, a move that should improve the Atto 2’s comfort and road-holding. This also aligns it with its main rival, the Geely EX2.
LiDAR & BYD’s DiPilot
Another new ace up the Atto 2’s sleeve is its new optional LiDAR unit. BYD is already offering its LiDAR-assisted DiPilot 300 system on the Chinese market Dolphin and Dolphin Surf (a.k.a. Seagull), albeit as a 12,000 yuan (1,800 USD) upgrade.
Other rivals in its class, like the EX2, Changan’s Nevo Q05, and MG’s MG4 Urban, only offer vision and radar-based assisted-driving systems.
No flash charging?
A glaring omission here is BYD’s often-flaunted flash charging technology. Instead, the new Atto 2 will arrive in China with 42- and 52-kWh LFP packs, offering CLTC EV ranges of 410 and 505 km. These packs are expected to use BYD’s first-gen Blade Battery cells, powering a conventional 400V platform.
These limitations suggest that a jump in Atto 2’s charging speed is unlikely. According to BYD UK, global Atto 2s can charge at up to 155 kW with the top-trim 65 kWh pack, while Chinese Atto 2s are limited to 65 kW.
More on the Atto 2
While official dimensions are not released yet, MIIT’s NEV tax relief list shows that the refreshed Atto 2 measures 4,335 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a 2,620 mm wheelbase.
For comparison, the dimensions of the current Atto 2 are 4310/1830/1675 mm. Wheelbase is unchanged at 2,620 mm.
It features front McPherson struts and a rear multi-link suspension. Depending on trim and powertrain, curb weight ranges from 1,525 to 1,615 kg.
Source: China EV DataTracker
According to China EV DataTracker, BYD delivered 17,043 Atto 2 units domestically in May 2026, a strong performance with monthly figures occasionally exceeding 20,000 units. It’s currently priced between 74,800 and 119,800 yuan (11,000 and 17,600 USD).
In China, though, the Atto 2 is overshadowed by Geely’s EX2. Its rival delivered more than double in the same month: 38,751 units. However, thanks to an upgraded chassis, powertrain, and LiDAR, the Atto 2 might now stand a chance against China’s best-selling car.
Source: Di Fen Zhi Jia, Yiche
Update (June 29): The refreshed BYD Atto 2’s dimensions are 4335/1830/1675 mm, with a 2,620 mm wheelbase.
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