BYD Seal U Review 2024

It's the SUV version of the Chinese carmaker's most conventional car yet - the Seal[1] - and the only non-EV it currently sells. Don't panic though, it's still a PHEV. The Seal U - U representing Utility - looks a little like the handsome three-box saloon has been smooshed up like Play-Doh and remoulded it into a smooth two-box crossover.

Advertisement - Page continues below It's a five-seat family car that takes on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai[2], Hyundai Tucson[3], Kia Sportage[4] and Ford Kuga[5] - plus about a bazillion others - without breaking much new ground in the styling department. When many SUVs look bewilderingly aggressive, this subtler, calmer approach to car design might soothe your soul.

Though the barely visible bootlid badging arguably pushes it a little too far into anonymity.

What engines are there?

There are two configurations: a 1.5-litre non-turbo 4cyl engine paired up with a single, 194bhp electric motor for the 215bhp front-wheel drive Seal U Boost and Comfort models. Then the Seal U Design mates a perkier 1.5-litre turbo with an e-motor at each axle (201bhp at the front, 161 at the rear) for a 319bhp total output and 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds... a whole three seconds quicker than the other setup. The engine can provide either range extension for the battery or propulsion directly to the wheels, says BYD.

It'll act as an EV for 90 per cent of the time, using the petrol motor to charge the battery. But if it's severely low, it can run as a pure petrol car during motorway miles.

What about the electric stuff?

There are two batteries available, both using BYD's in-house developed lithium-iron-phosphate tech. The entry-level Boost and top-spec Design cars use an 18.3kWh battery while the mid-range Comfort model pairs the entry powertrain with a larger 26.6kWh battery for more electric miles.

Advertisement - Page continues below Both will charge on home AC power at up to 11kW and DC fast chargers at a miserly 18kW. Getting a 30-80 per cent charge on a CCS plug will take 35 minutes with the smaller battery and 55 minutes with the larger one.

The Boost claims 50 miles of electric-only range and 313.8mpg fuel consumption on the WLTP cycle with the powertrain at its optimum, and 51mpg with the battery emptied. The heavier, more powerful Design quotes 43 miles and 235.4mpg, or 41mpg with the battery in its standard hybrid mode. The Comfort trim sits between the two, the larger battery giving 78 electric miles and a total range of almost 700 miles.

With the cells empty, it promises 50mpg. Phew.

How's the drive?

The Seal U has an old fashioned quality about it that's quite endearing: it's big and comfortable and you won't want to drive it anywhere in much of a hurry because of the body lean and general whiff of understeer. Keep it sedate and the BYD is a fine family steed.

The other throwback quality is the slight air of cheapness in places: the sunroof was a bit rattly on the car we drove, and the touchscreen and digital graphics look like an off-brand tablet your mum might have got you for Christmas. But then for a family PHEV of this size that runs from GBP33k-GBP40k, it seems a bit churlish to nitpick.

Our choice from the range

What's the verdict?

"It performs well at almost any task you can fairly throw at it, just without any clear distinction or verve"

Whereas our previous experience with BYD products has thrown up immediate and obvious caveats and demerits, the Seal U feels much more honed. It drives with more aplomb, deploys less pestering safety systems and will be priced comfortably below its key rivals, too. It's deeply pragmatic on paper while feeling reasonably premium inside.

And if you don't like the wackadoodle styling of many of its bestselling rivals, BYD's more subtle design language ought to work a treat.

Ultimately, its U suffix doesn't stand for USP: this car goes toe-to-toe with its reams of hybrid SUV rivals and performs well at almost any task you can fairly throw at it, just without any clear distinction or verve.

If you can live with that, you'll likely easily live with one of these.

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References

1. ^ Seal (www.topgear.com)
2. ^ Nissan Qashqai (www.topgear.com)
3. ^ Hyundai Tucson (www.topgear.com)
4. ^ Kia Sportage (www.topgear.com)
5. ^ Ford Kuga (www.topgear.com)
6. ^ BYD1.5 DM-i Comfort 5dr AutoGBP35,150See prices and specs (www.topgear.com)