BYD Seal U DM-i Review: Packed with value

The BYD Seal U is a plug-in hybrid electric SUV from Chinese brand Build Your Dreams. With an electric range of 40-70 miles, prices starting from under £34,000, and all models coming loaded with equipment, it represents great value, undercutting plug-in hybrid rivals by thousands of pounds. But should you consider buying one?
In this CarGurus UK review, Chris Knapman assesses the BYD Seal U DM-i to see if the reality matches its on-paper promise, weighing up its space, quality, technology, performance, comfort and handling. Would you consider a BYD Seal U over a Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage?
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#cargurusUK #byd

[@JIMMY-nz1ld]

What I like is how this DMi hybrid works. Not like other hybrids. This hybrid allows you to drive like an electric car smooth and quiet with the engine kicking in when you put your foot down. And you can do all your city drivings on electric only.

[@wayneheyes4934]

Cars have compromises It’s like reviewers are being told to sell down and make BYD looks bad so it damages sales It’s a good car!

[@dekierexaeda]

Exactly 💯

[@teofilol2666]

Exactly my thoughts

[@markbennett6658]

He was definitely throwing a bit of shade at it!

[@funty3000]

I have the seal awd since january, im also buying this, ive had nothing but mercs for the last 5 years and the seal is better built then any of them, the seal is the best car ive ever had! Im hoping that this lives up to it, by the way it has an 8 year warranty and free servicing and brakes and tyres for 2 years!

[@Sam_BS_Electric]

Me too. Sold my AMG for a Seal and would never buy Merc again.

[@pedromiguelareias]

Me too, you're right. I just swapped my Rolls Phantom VIII EWB by a Build Your Dreams Seagull EV Honor Edition. Much better quality, social status and comfort.

[@omaryjuma_]

It looks like you’re forced to do a review, poor camera quality and your comments are too biased. BYD is doing marvelous!

[@LL-rm8xt]

Clearly went into this review no wanted to like it and determined to rubbish it .

[@Devjerovf]

"...It really does look like something you might see driving around in GTA..." Top 10 most savage burns

[@ViewBothSides]

"it's a bit of a faff"... let's be honest, the touchscreens are essentially unusable on the move. The only reason they exist is financial trimming by the manufacturer and an odd loophole in the law that permits it.

[@waichungsham1578]

You can navigate the menu on the steering wheel but most reviews never mention it

[@bgjuk-c8u]

@@waichungsham1578or voice control, even easier. But the dashboard temperature control you mention is clever

[@William_Annang]

The video thumbnail looks like you're reviewing a car in 2008.

[@ASI-l2w]

Thanks for the review. Shame about boot space, and lack of paddles. Longer range Comfort model seems the one to go for. How long to recharge via 3pin socket? Kia, etc need to bring out something comparable, range wise. Certainly on my short list next year.

[@thismanagain]

I've sat in a few BYD models, including this one. The material quality is good, maybe even a bit better than some established brands at a similar price. If they can nail the reliability, no one's beating China at EVs and PHEVs.

[@gazzrobb2366]

Does it have remote window opening and closing?

[@UCMpDwp7VEfKXRH3NyAW7kuj]

The video thumbnail looks like took it by a 2010s Nokia cellphone, kind of oldy

[@thismanagain]

Looks like a better made vehicle than many.

[@victorpangkh]

Undue amount of bias in your review.

[@sevensixtysteve8662]

Objectively it appears to be good value as I assume BYD is state funded to ensure the price point attractive. I am not a fan of SUVs or their styling and I particularly don’t like the design language of the BYD inside or out and therefore I would never own one. But, the sheer number of SUVs, trucks and utes on the roads would indicate enough people don’t care how their car drives to give this car a market.

[@LegSpinna]

MG are a bit of a disaster when it comes to reliability. I'll wait for others to do the dirty work and see where we stand with BYD in a few years time.

[@funkyfin3023]

MG is 31st out of 31 brands in this month’s What Car annual reliability survey. The new Chinese brands will be below them next year I suspect. Shame they can’t be relegated at the bottom of the table….

[@bgjuk-c8u]

@@funkyfin3023the first mass produced plug in hybrid ever was launched by BYD in 2008, so I suspect they know a thing or two about making them. Toyota is actually adopting BYD PHEV tech in their upcoming vehicles. They’re an established brand, just new to the UK

[@funkyfin3023]

@@bgjuk-c8u who cares? I didn’t say they were a new brand I know they have been producing utter 💩 cars for years. The fact is MG are bottom of the reliability table and other Chinese garbage will be vying with them to be bottom next year.

[@amon5124]

Front is the worse. Interior is nice and practical.

[@azeemsoona]

19" alloy wheels as standard not 17"

[@demonridera]

Britishers should only buy British cars. They are the best in the world and the reviewers will not have to put a hundred caveats in their analysis of the vehicle

[@paulallen6915]

Name me one British owned car company ?

[@demonridera]

@@paulallen6915 McLaren

[@paulallen6915]

@@demonridera owned by a Bahrain company.

[@carolcooks1208]

Since she was£33000 cheap

[@wayneheyes4934]

Exactly

[@bgjuk-c8u]

Since all of its competitor PHEVs (Kuga, Tucson, Tiguan) are £40k+ and come with less spec

[@koskos1971]

It's better to improve British Cars than buy Chinese. A Greek saying l in situations like these is : "if you don't take care of your own house it will fall on your head! " . British Cars and SUVs are so good and beautiful . Why buy this.....

[@alfamonk]

is there a British SUV at this price?...nope

[@hameemmohideen1478]

All sold out

[@waichungsham1578]

What uk car manufacturers are still successful and profitable?

[@Steve-gc5nt]

More Chinese cack.

[@pb5x5]

Yep won't last long either. It will be on the scrap heap within ten years.

[@zes7215]

it must hurt if you really try to think, pgskn

[@bgjuk-c8u]

@@pb5x56 year warranty overall with a 8 year warranty on battery and electric motors, so doubt that

[@pb5x5]

@@bgjuk-c8u Doesn't add up to ten years use.........

[@pb5x5]

I don't buy Chinese tyres so there is no way I'd buy a whole car.

[@TraceyJacobs-b5r]

dont cotinental tyres then haha

[@pb5x5]

@@TraceyJacobs-b5r If they are main names like continental tyres made in China they will be made to their normal standards unlike Goodride tyres for example will not be.

[@AYouTubeCommenterWhoHasABrain]

My Sailwins from China have been good. What tyre brand do you buy? I bet you have a lot of good gear Made In China without you knowing

[@AYouTubeCommenterWhoHasABrain]

​@@pb5x5My Sailwins from China have been good. What tyre brand do you buy? I bet you have a lot of good gear Made In China without you knowing

[@Krahamus]

Mate, 90% of things are manufactured in china, Iphone, samsung and all other things, you can buy cheap bad quality but also good quality witch coasts a lot

[@alfamonk]

when it's £5k in 8 years might be worth a punt

[@pb5x5]

Or one or two K.