Vauxhall Frontera vs BYD Atto 2: will the British or Chinese SUV reign supreme?

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

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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