NEW BYD Seal U review – does China make the best hybrid car? | What Car?

The Seal U (Sea Lion 06 in Australia) is actually the facelifted BYD Song Plus in China. The Song Plus pre-facelift BEV and PHEV combined is the best-selling BYD in China and it belongs to the Dynasty (Song Dynasty) series of the product range, but this facelift brings some major exterior changes to the car and it now belongs to the Ocean series in China, although it is still called BYD Song there. That's probably why it's called the "Seal" on the overseas market. Btw BYD PHEV system's name stands for DM-i: fuel efficiency, DM-p: performance, DM-o: off-road.

No one can imagine that one day China produces great cars and people realize that they were paying tons of money for much more worse cars

Seal U (or Song plus) is actually a budget hybrid SUV in China. You can get the best fuel efficiency and very decent space. It's a good choice for replacing Rav, Xtrail and Breeze but even cheaper. Personally, I won't choose this one because I can afford better stereo system, screen, suspension, and seats (for instance, Denza N7, also made by BYD). But for most of the people, this is good enough for daily commute, travel or even camping, alone or with your family. So it is still the best seller SUV in China.

The fuel efficiency of BYD hybrid system is very impressive. Looking forward to WhatCar's fuel efficiency test.

BYD is really coming strong here in Europe with it's brand and presence. Had chance to drive Seal and it's just impressive 😊.

BYD had made a Success in china,which the most competitive market,so maybe the know how to make good car

Good review, thanks. Very much looking forward to test driving this when it arrives.

Saw one of these on display in Riyadh recently, it's called the Song Plus here. Interior and features seem pretty good for the price, as does the powertrain. It's also a hybrid here.

This could be another major step for BYD in the uk and it’s a hybrid! I’d consider this as my next car even though we’re I live can’t have wall chargers but nothing stopping me going to a shop or somewhere to charge up now and again!

out of topic, may i know what microphone do you use? The quality is so good

Quality review truly helpful to potential buyers 😊👍👍

Very nice explanation 🎉

A nice review touching on things we'd want to know if we went to the dealer.

Its Chinese name is Song Plug-in hybrid, been tested in the markets for years already, DMi is an amazing hybrid system that gives you power and also fuel efficiency, but it is not the newest technology from BYD, should have leopard 5 in Australia

It's not bad looking to me. It'll all be down to confirmed UK price and specs. PHEVs are good if they fit your use and can charge them regularly. I don't like to see PHEVS that are never charged and just bought to save company car tax. I think BYD are missing a trick in not bringing the full EV too, that'll give more choice. Even better if they could give more choice by launching a smaller battery hybrid to cover for everyone.

This car is the first-selling SUV in China in recent years, so there is no doubt about its reliability.

Thanks for a thorough, well-delivered rundown on the vehicle, which is looking to be very popular in Australia. The presentation is rather impressive, seeming very well made, and switchgear is light, yet positive. However, there are a few baffling omissions from an otherwise considerable feature list from the (right-hand drive) Australian model, like a memory for the driver's seat position, and I'm told also the heated steering wheel. I'd be interested to hear if other RHD markets are similarly ""penalised.

What about servicing and spare parts are main BYD dealers sufficient enough to be close to main cities in the UK?

Subscribed. Like this BYD review.

The styling is nice.