Skywell BE11 - Even being average would be better than this.

[@shieldaigbencher]

So, the one to have is the special edition, the BE11 End model.

[@davesound7188]

😂😂😂😂 good one

[@Brian-om2hh]

Well as this reviewer found out, the handling is a bit half cocked....

[@ianrob4760]

this has no chance and suspect this will disappear quick from the market and not be heard of again.

[@Brian-om2hh]

In which case they may change the brand name from Skywell to Oh Well.......

[@vbc2059]

Oh Temu, you did it again!😂

[@AutoEV]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nathanwolf5547]

To be perfectly blunt and possibly unkind to me the car screens Honda! Honda aren’t exactly making waves designwise in the SUV market. This looks like a cynical attempt at a new Honda.

[@andrewgage6942]

I could never afford the cars you review, I'm not even qualified in screen to be able to drive new vehicles, I have been told that by other KZbinrs, so why do I watch these videos? Your reviews are very comprehensive, you mention things I've never heard of that go well above my head, but younger people understand what you're talking about, if I was looking for a car, obviously I'd be looking older used, I would hope I could find someone who does this quality of review

[@AutoEV]

What a lovely comment. Thank you ever so much. I’m so pleased that you enjoy the reviews, irrespective of whether you are looking for a car or not. Thanks for the support.

[@narvuntien]

In theory Electric cars have more in common with fridges and washing machines than a traditional ICEV so its not a supprise to see white goods manufacturers in the space. But I feel like Skywelll took that too literally and just made a fridge. I think if those kinds of manufactures want to succeed in this space they are going to have to bring better electrics to the table and for the most part they haven't. The successful one is Geely who were smart and just hired Volvo or Mercedes designers to make thier cars and now they are starting to improve the electrics and made a deal with CATL for battery development.

[@alangravy27]

Don't sit on the fence! Depreciation is going to be massive on these!

[@Brian-om2hh]

I can't see it being popular, given the competition. The Kia EV's for example, are streets better than this

[@ianrob4760]

Fancying being the PR people giving journalists a car like this for so much cash knowing how cheap inside it is and uncompetitive.

[@Neil2022]

Love how it’s on trade plates.

[@peterblythe5219]

Saw this driving in Turkey in October was curious to hear about what it is like

[@Antiguan_Dart]

Love your comment on Regen - “..73% is too aggressive…71% is not enough” 😂.

[@alanrutland4424]

At least you didn’t sit on the fence with your assessment 😊. Not sure Skywell will be using your review …… but then not sure they will sell any. Makes yip wonder about serving going forward as in where ?

[@davidpearn5925]

Im amazed that they out this out for assessment.

[@dr.andersonsghost4315]

This brand is from a Chinese heavy equipment maker that had no automotive experience. Its EVs have been long been eliminated by the competition the Chinese market, so I would not consider it because it will not be around for long.

[@robsmith1a]

My 12 year old Merc doesn't have much at all in the way of driver aids other than speed limit warning and attention assist. I would expect a new car to have much more. A lot of the safety kit does seem to be cancelled out by massive distracting screens and blinding oncoming headlights though - I'm not convinced the auto dipping works well in a lot of cars.

[@bobsingeton2719]

Nothing better than a Scottish accent for saying "I'm not sure about that... I'm really not!" 😄😄😄 Thanks for another great review. Never heard you so scathing about a car. I wonder if they'll still be around this time next year?

[@AutoEV]

If you think I was scathing you should read Mat Robinson from The Times’s review…….ouch.

[@Lyndalewinder]

No mention of the ionic 5 in the competition?

[@rabbit9696]

It's a previous generation Tiguan from the side! Disappointing review as you had quite a pop at the rear parcel blind / shelf but it looks the same as your beloved volvos have (my xc60 does anyway) and you didn't say wow it has a rear wiper which so many of the others don't. For the first time I find myself questioning the integrity of the review, sad day. Otherwise love your work - just hang on to your sacred integrity please 🙂

[@AutoEV]

Thank you for your comment. I think I am fairly open-minded when it comes to new brands, and many have impressed me before (if you include MG as a “new” brand for instance, we’ve always found their products to be very good). But there we have a car that felt very much like a validation prototype to sit in and drive, yet was actually a finished product that they presented to a room full of experienced journalists and asked us to review. The company sees this car as a competitor for the Škoda Enyaq, Nissan Ariya and Ford Mustang Mach E, and after being allowed to peruse a static car it was clear that the quality just wasn’t there. And then I drove it. I have to deliver my honest views on every car that we review on AutoEV, irrespective of whether we upset a manufacturer or importer because we stand by what we set AutoEV out to be, a channel for car buyers to get the best and most comprehensive views and verdicts on electric cars, and this new Skywell misses its mark by a long way. When I tested the new Omoda I thought it a little generic, and not able to offer anything over and above what was already out there, but in many way, I saw the appeal for some people. It drove reasonably well, and will be a decent car for some. But this BE11 is by far way off even that standard. I criticised its parcel shelf because it was built cheaply from flimsy material (not something that you can accuse Volvo of, and I know as I’ve owned 2 XC60s). I was positive about it in offering a decent amount of standard equipment, even though it lacked an inbuilt sat nav and had no ADAS systems like its main competitors do. But I can’t overlook bad quality and poor in road dynamics that, in my opinion, bordered on being dangerous in their lack of response and control by the driver. I have to deliver that verdict because of the integrity of AutoEV. Sorry for the long-winded reply, but I feel that I need to explain why I have reviewed this car as I have. In many ways, I feel like my summary was not as critical as it should have been given what I experienced out on the road. If you want a more scathing verdict on the car, read Mat Robinson’s review in Driving for The Times. He was with me on the same day. Trust me, it got off lightly with me in comparison!

[@gronz]

@@AutoEV I agree with Rabbit, I think you got paid to do this kind of review.

[@RichardHilditch]

It looks like we are getting the old version of the car in the UK (currently on sale in Gernany). Spain are getting a more up to date version (ADAS for instance). Cheaper of course. Maybe it drives better?

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

As I was watching the end of your video an advert for the Honda E-NY1 came up. Granted it's slightly smaller, but it's £40k for a very well respected brand with good reliability reputation and dealer backup. I have no idea what the executives at Skywell were thinking when they decided on their pricing structure.

[@AutoEV]

The Honda e is a real favourite of ours. Sadly it’s no longer produced, which is a real shame as it was (and still is) a great little car!

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

@AutoEV oh I love the Honda E, but the range was/is a bit restrictive.

[@AutoEV]

Yes, that was a bit of a downside with it. Loved it anyway.

[@davidpearn5925]

I thought the ADAS tech was needed for 5 Star safety rating ?.

[@AutoEV]

Only applies to cars type approved after July 2024. Any car that was approved prior to this doesn’t require it by law. Skywell were given type approval before July. And these cars can’t be retrospectively fitted with it. They will come with it at some point in 2025, but for now they don’t have it.

[@bowman4275]

Chancers?

[@LuisAc]

i got mine used for 26k with 15000km, The owner was getting divorsed and i got a good price... but yeah break and gas are kind of touchi, tech is mediocre but oh well, battery, range and space are big so not too bad

[@chrispenn715]

The lack of ADAS is a massive plus to me. Cars I've had with it are a pain. I don't mind the styling, but it is way overpriced for the compromises it offers. Better buys already available...... Even a VW ID4 is a better bet, especially with the available discounts

[@markbennett6658]

A hint of ‘it looks crap I’m going to find out what not to like about it’ in this review. I actually entered a free competition on Autotrader to win one of these. Some people would think no AEDAS and wireless CarPlay with a big boot…where do I sign? Joking apart, the slow DC charging and £40K for the big battery version will kill it. At around £30k some people would forgive some of its shortcomings. I could see heavily depreciated big battery ones being used as taxis in a couple of years but not for airport runs!

[@AutoEV]

I could get past the looks if it was built well, had better and easier to use technology and didn’t feel like it was an unfinished validation prototype that I had driven. However it wasn’t, this is a production car that goes on sale to the buying public. And I’m sorry, it’s not good enough. Not for £40k. I summarised by saying if it it had been closer to £30k I’d have been more understanding, but in retrospect, I genuinely felt like I couldn’t recommend it at any price. It is by far the worst car I’ve had to review, and I’m sorry if some people don’t like hearing it, but we don’t sit on the fence at AutoEV. We speak as we find. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

@@AutoEV "we don’t sit on the fence at AutoEV. We speak as we find." And we're glad you do :) That's why some of us watch.

[@brakgosi6271]

I feel you're being more than a bit unfair on the car. Firstly, styling is subjective, so far you to dedicate more than a third of your review complaining about how the car looks is unhelpful. The company can't come to a new market with a polarizing design and in this segment value and practicality t 21:17 rump looks, which is why even legacy carmakers don't take risks. If you watch your review you'll find that it's a long grievance list rather than an objective review of the car. Even where you something positive, you minimise it following with "but...

[@AutoEV]

Have a drive in one and tell me I’m being unfair. By far the worst car I’ve reviewed. No grip, poor calibration of throttle, ill-judged spring and damper ratings. And I’m not the only journalist to say so having driven it.

[@davidpearn5925]

@@brakgosi6271 the BYD range alone make this a fail before the it starts.

[@ISuperTed]

Nah, Bryans spot-on. It’s a bland box with a big battery with poor range and old EV tech.

[@gronz]

@@AutoEV that is what I mean...

[@brakgosi6271]

@@AutoEV This is what car journalists were saying about Hyundai and Kia not so long ago. Skoda makes some of the blandest cars and sells a lot of them while Citroen, which has daring and "exciting" designs can barely sell a few. "Plain Jane" Toyota is the best selling carmaker in the world because buyers are excited by safety, value for money, reliability and practicality rather than looks.

[@trev0074]

Why would anyone want to purchase it 🤷‍♂️

[@carlarrowsmith]

They can sell anything if it's cheap on PCP!

[@Brian-om2hh]

@@carlarrowsmith And it will be....

[@jameschapman4824]

To me it looks like 95% of all the SUV's being produced today. You could have put a BMW or Kia badge on the front and nobody would have noticed. But that is probably me because I'm not a fan of SUV's.

[@e-trippingwithadamgebbett8024]

This one looks like could be gone if they don’t add safety features and lower the price. It is built by a Bus Manufacturer. Maybe the issue.

[@Brian-om2hh]

Like some other Chinese cars, this one hasn't been developed as well as European cars.... one wonders what the long term reliability or build quality will be like.... It appears the manufacturers of these Chinese jobs seem to feel that copying the appearance of the competition means theirs is bound to be as good....

[@denisscott5554]

Looks like a MK1 Kodiak from the side.

[@GarryM66]

Dear god 🤦‍♂️ I so pleased I’m of an age where it doesn’t make any difference to me and fine if all you want is something to get you from A-B but if this is the future then I’m so glad I have a past to look back on. Sorry but this is completely sole less.

[@andrewgage6942]

Cars today are boring, they look the same, you can jump out of one into another and they drive the same, I'm older myself, I'm not qualified in screen technology to be able to drive one of these, I prefer proper switch gear and proper dials, I currently drive a 2011 Smart diesel, for me, memorable cars in my driving time, Austin Maxi, series Land Rovers, early Range Rover/Land Rover Discovery, original Fiat 500, Mini, Citroen 2CV etc, all had amazingly different driving experiences, new cars, the drivers will never get to experience pulling out a choke to start their cars on a cold day, hand cranking an engine, driving today is just boring

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

£37,000 for an unknown brand car. Nah, not a chance. If it were £17,000 it 'might' be worth taking a punt on, but you're paying big money at £37k and there are many already established brands out there for that money. Or if you only had £17k, you've got amazing used options. It'll flop.

[@AutoEV]

That’s also a consideration. What could you buy used for the same money? Jaguar I-Pace, BMW iX3/iX, Audi etron, Tesla, etc.

[@Brian-om2hh]

For £37k, I'd be straight down to my nearest Kia dealer....

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

@@Brian-om2hh It's above my budget, so I hadn't looked until just now. So much is available and nobody would pay £37k for this Skywell. Asking that much is delusional.

[@AutoEV]

I agree.

[@LearningAstrophotography-jj9en]

You've missed the point. Young people look at price first

[@Brinslade]

Skyworth, the name on the 360 degree camera screen, is a cheap TV brand.

[@StarLuna973]

I’ll give this a miss! Not a single thing about it would entice me to buy one 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@marketingwizdom]

Back to the drawing board, it seems!

[@KookyBone]

Another chinese car that is at best average for often a bad price... I not have seen a single chinese car in europe yet, that could compete with European brands in the same price class... While they are great in China, where they are costing often less than half of the price, here in Europe they are often just worse cars for the same money.... And often they have worse quality, too. If they where 20% maybe they would find a lit of byers but on these prices they are all dead on arrival. Why should anyone buy a unknown chinese brand without any kind of service network for these insane prices... They just don't get the market. Even Hyundai and Kia had to start with really cheap prices and needed 10 or more years to get some trust. They should be at least 20-30% cheaper everything else will fail.

[@glengosling5636]

Too long

[@AutoEV]

Not as long as a Mercedes EQS, so it’s not too long a car…….

[@gronz]

Not saying this car is so great, but this review is nonsense.

[@AutoEV]

In what way?

[@gronz]

@@AutoEV it feels, like the other UK journalists so far, like you are instructed to sum up as much negative elements as possible. Complaining about the logo, the battery brand, the unknown tyres (who cares). Agree with weak screen, missing navigation. In 2021 this car drove very well. Not sure how it has changed...

[@AutoEV]

Well I’m sorry that you disagree with me. My observations about the logo notwithstanding, the tyres are a major issue in my honest (and in fairness, fairly well educated) opinion. They lack grip, which is a major safety concern for me. And has been noted by many of my contemporaries, as you point out. So surely all of us can’t be wrong about that? For the money the company are charging for this car, many others do it far better, that’s my opinion. Obviously you feel differently when you drove it. But please don’t class my review as “nonsense” because you have a different viewpoint. No-one has “instructed” us to be negative about the car, but you have to ask yourself if that number of time-served automotive journalists are all reaching the same verdict, would that not suggest that maybe the car DOESN’T drive as well as you think?

[@gronz]

@@AutoEV all the negative reviews are from UK journalists, in other countries I haven t seen such articles, only in the UK....makes you wonder. You can play the wise innocent honest guy, but your review is very amateuristic. A 40 minute review nobody does for free.

[@AutoEV]

Of course I don’t do it for free, but who do you think pays me? Skywell’s competitors? And they pay all UK journalists to say that the car isn’t as good as others think it is? Bit of a conspiracy theory that! No, I’m sorry, but you are very wrong on all counts if you think I get paid by anyone to rubbish a product. I speak as I find, and it comes from over 30 years in the business. This car just isn’t competitive in the UK market it is trying to establish itself in. I drive every new electric car that hits the UK market and I can tell a good one from a bad one - this is very much the latter. And if you think I’m an amateur, let me know what you thought of the car when you drove it. I’m interested to hear your professional opinion.

[@macjim]

When I saw it, I instantly saw a Skoda 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Better with a Megane

[@AutoEV]

In many ways walking would be better…….

[@Brian-om2hh]

I think you'd find a modern Skoda is a quantum leap ahead of this car..... In fact Auto Express recently rated the current Octavia 1.5 Tsi to have the edge in quality etc over the VW Golf with the same engine.

[@daniel-ino]

what about spare parts in like .. 3 years? Chinese don't care about long term. A huge waste of material

[@Brian-om2hh]

Yer pays yer money etc.......

[@glideman]

Going shopping love do you want anything? Yes get me a five door SUV? Okay