When we first drove the BYD Atto 2, we already noted that the base version of the compact crossover had the potential to sell for around NIS 140,000 and become the cheapest plug-in car in Israel. It turns out we were not far off: Shlomo Motors, the Chinese brand’s importer, has now launched the Atto 2 Active at NIS 138,000, only NIS 2,000 more than the Chery Tiggo 4 hybrid.
So what do you give up to save NIS 12,000? Compared to the Boost trim sold until now, the Active comes with a smaller battery - 7.8 kWh instead of 18 kWh - and a reduced combined output of 166 hp instead of 213 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 9.1 seconds instead of 7.5 seconds, while the top speed remains unchanged at 180 km/h.
There are also differences in energy performance: The electric range drops from 90 km to 40 km, and the official combined fuel consumption changes from 55.5 km/l to 32.2 km/l. With an uncharged battery, consumption is expected to be similar at 19.9 km/l. The vehicle comes with a 3.3 kW AC charger instead of 6.6 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 15% to 100% in about three hours. The vehicle still does not offer a fast-charging option.
There are also changes in equipment: 16-inch wheels instead of 17-inch, no wireless phone charging, fabric upholstery instead of synthetic leather, no roof rails or tinted windows, and the 360-degree camera system has been replaced with standard parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The driver’s seat adjustment is manual instead of electric.
However, the dimensions remain the same: 4.33 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width, 1.675 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.62 meters. The trunk capacity is 425 liters.
The equipment includes a 12.8-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Google Maps, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, rear air vents, four USB-C ports, a smart key, and metallic paint included in the price. There are no differences in safety systems.
The Atto 2 Active will compete with budget hybrid crossovers such as the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which starts at NIS 136,000 and has become one of the ten best-selling models in Israel over the past year. The Atto 2 is slightly larger and has a significantly bigger trunk (310 liters in the Chery), slightly slower in 0–100 km/h acceleration (8.8 seconds for the Chery), but with a higher top speed (150 km/h for the Chery). The equipment level is similar, with the Chery also offering rear air vents and more physical controls. The Chery’s official fuel consumption is slightly worse than the BYD’s at 18.8 km/l.
The main advantage of the Atto 2 Active is economic: A lower purchase price that will reduce leasing costs, and a much higher benefit-in-kind tax advantage compared to hybrids - NIS 1,150 versus NIS 560- making it likely to be popular as a fleet vehicle.