BYD Seal U review

Pros: roomy interior, refined and quiet to drive, should be affordable

Cons: handling isn’t as crisp as some rivals’, petrol engine is a little underpowered

BYD Seal U Design

In a relatively short space of time, BYD has introduced three models to the Irish market and later this year it will follow these up with the Seal U, a mid-sized SUV that will compete against household names, including the Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai. It’s a fiercely competitive segment where electric and hybrid cars generate significant interest - the Seal U should offer both.

Being part of BYD’s Ocean Series, it resembles the Seal saloon. The Seal U comes with the choice of electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and the latter is what we’re driving here. There is a similar headlight design to the Seal, and a light bar extends across the rear. A sharp crease runs along the car’s shoulder line, and in general it is an inoffensive design to maximise its appeal. This version carries the DM-i name to signify its combustion engine, whereas electric versions will just be called the Seal U. An open grille in the front bumper is the easiest way to spot the PHEV version, as the pure electric Seal U does without the need for as much airflow.

BYD Seal U Interior

The interior of the Seal U has a simple and clean design. As with other BYD models, dominating the centre console is a 15-inch touchscreen that can rotate between landscape and portrait orientation. Support for Android and Apple devices enables smartphone mirroring when in landscape mode. BYD’s native infotainment system is reasonably intuitive, and there is also a digital voice assistant on hand.

Below the screen is a small area with drive-related features and a crystal-effect drive selector. As BYD is targeting the Seal U at families, numerous storage areas are dotted throughout the cabin, so it’s easy to find homes for various miscellaneous items. Material quality and overall finish are fairly good.

There’s a decent amount of space, too, so those in the rear won’t have cause for complaint. Two adults will comfortably fit in the back outer seats, with plentiful legroom and headroom. There is a flat floor across the rear, so even the middle seat occupant doesn’t lose out on legroom. Regarding boot space, the BYD fits in with the average for the segment, accommodating a useful 570 litres of cargo; if you need more, the rear seats can also be split and tumbled forward.

BYD Seal U Performance & Drive

The plug-in hybrid model uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 109hp combined with a 197hp electric motor that is fed by an 18.3kWh battery. This can provide enough energy for up to 100 kilometres of electric-only driving according to BYD. In China, a larger battery is also available, extending the electric driving range to 150 kilometres; however, BYD has not yet confirmed which versions will come to Ireland.

The Seal U isn’t especially powerful or fast, but it is wonderfully comfortable to drive, dealing with bumps and poor road surfaces with ease, and that’s what you want from a family SUV. Our car was equipped with 19-inch wheels, providing a good balance between looks and sufficient tyre sidewall to help soak up bumps.

Take tighter corners at speed and you will experience noticeable amounts of body lean, though the Seal U holds its line and feels accurate to drive. A sophisticated multilink rear suspension setup aids handling. BYD also has several driver assistance systems available to take some of the strain on longer journeys, while around town and when parking there are excellent cameras to help with manoeuvring.

When demanding more from the Seal U, its petrol engine does sound coarse at times, and it’s clear that this is a car that’s geared more towards efficiency than outright performance, and in that regard, it should be stiff competition for other hybrid offerings in the market. The impressive battery range should mean that most people can easily complete daily commutes without relying on the combustion engine activating. When the battery charge does deplete, the Seal U reverts to acting like a conventional hybrid car, so it will still deactivate the engine when slowing or stationary, and it can pull away from a standstill using only the electric motor.

It’s worth noting that the electric version will likely have slightly different handling characteristics due to its different powertrain setup and a larger, and therefore heavier, battery within its floor.

BYD Seal U Pricing

There are still a few months before the Seal U arrives on these shores, so pricing and specifications have not been confirmed. It is expected that BYD will offer the Seal U in electric and plug-in hybrid variants, giving customers more choice and undoubtedly broadening this SUV’s appeal. Thus far, BYD has been quite competitive with its pricing and specifications, so it would be safe to assume that it will provide a robust and competitive offering for Seal U buyers when it goes on sale. Expect elevated levels of standard equipment and a simple grade structure.

Carzone Verdict

The SEAL U will be a very welcome addition to the BYD range as this size of SUV remains hugely popular with buyers at present. Not only is it spacious inside, but it looks stylish without being polarising, and the interior quality seems good. If BYD does offer a plug-in hybrid version, it will broaden the car’s appeal even further, though the electric version will undoubtedly be in high demand, too.