BYD Seal U SUV – Plugin Hybrid or Electric, starting at 34300 £

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The BYD Seal U SUV impresses with a Plugin Hybrid or Electric engine, 324 HP 500 km and an attractive starting price of 34300 £. Here are all the details at a glance.

from about £34,300
Seal U @ BYD Auto / BYD Global Media

BYD Seal U

  • Engine Type : Plugin Hybrid, Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 218 - 324 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 0.4 - 1.2 L
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 19.9 - 20.5 kWh
  • Electric Range : 70 - 500 km
@ BYD Auto / BYD Global Media

< h2 >Design & Presence < p >The BYD Seal U looks like a grown-up coupe-SUV: long bonnet, sloping roofline and a clean face that prefers sweep over shout, and at 4,775–4,785 mm long and 1,890 mm wide it commands attention without being ostentatious. Subtle aero touches and flush surfaces help the Seal U feel modern on the road and contribute to claimed efficiency figures. The design successfully balances sporty ambitions with family-friendly presence, so it reads as both premium and practical from a distance. Buyers who want EV styling without polarising angles will find its road presence appealing. < h2 >Interior & Usability < p >Inside the Seal U the theme is contemporary minimalism with a focus on large displays and clean lines, seating five in a cabin that mixes soft-touch panels and gloss surfaces; materials are competitive for the segment but some controls lean heavily on touchscreens. The driver gets a clear digital cluster and a central screen that handles infotainment, climate and many vehicle settings, which looks modern but can demand time to learn. Comfort is good for daily commuting thanks to supportive seats and a calm cabin; long-distance trips benefit from sensible ergonomics though firm springing on sport trims may reduce plushness. Small practical touches — decent door pockets and usable cupholders — keep the interior from feeling like a pure concept car. < h2 >Space & Everyday Practicality < p >Practicality is credible: boot volumes range around < strong >425–552 litres depending on version, expanding to a maximum of roughly < strong >1,440–1,465 litres with the rear seats folded, which makes weekend luggage and supermarket runs straightforward. The Seal U seats five and delivers average rear legroom for an SUV of its length, with a payload close to < strong >410 kg that handles family cargo and a couple of passengers without drama. The slightly lower roofline compared with tall SUVs reduces rear headroom for very tall passengers but keeps a sleeker silhouette and helps stability. For day-to-day life the trunk aperture and folding seats make loading bicycles or larger boxes reasonably simple. < h2 >Driving & Handling < p >The Seal U is offered in both pure electric and plug‑in hybrid forms with outputs quoted between < strong >218 and 324 hp, and 0–100 km/h times that range from about < strong >9–9.6 seconds for the standard models to a brisk < strong >5.9 seconds in the quickest PHEV all‑wheel‑drive variant, so acceleration choices suit relaxed drivers and those who want sporty responses. Weight is substantial (curb weights around < strong >1,995–2,147 kg), which gives the car a planted feel but blunts agility compared with lighter rivals; suspension tuning favours comfort on regular trims and tighter control on sportier setups. Steering is composed rather than razor-sharp, making the Seal U confidence‑inspiring on highways and easy to place in town. Overall it leans toward secure, comfortable cruising with a credible sporty edge in the hotter versions. < h2 >Efficiency, Consumption & Real‑World Range < p >Electric consumption figures sit near < strong >19.9–20.5 kWh/100 km for the BEV versions, which translates into claimed ranges in the region of < strong >420–500 km — sufficient for most daily use and medium-distance trips without constant recharging. The PHEV variants post very low fuel figures in hybrid mode (as little as < strong >0.4–1.2 L/100 km) because short electric ranges are used for city driving; those PHEV electric ranges vary widely from around < strong >70–125 km depending on configuration, so buyers should match the PHEV choice to typical trip lengths. In practice, expect efficient motorway cruising for the long-range BEV and excellent short-trip fuel economy from a PHEV if regularly charged; heavier curb weights do mean energy consumption rises under hard acceleration. Charging and fuel choices make the Seal U flexible — either a long-range EV for minimal running costs or a PHEV for fuel-conservative mixed usage. < h2 >Assistance, Infotainment & Everyday Tech < p >The Seal U packs modern assistance systems including adaptive cruise, lane-keeping aids and automated emergency braking calibrated for mainstream driving, with efficiency and safety ratings that put some trims into A/B CO2/efficiency bands. Infotainment follows the current trend: large central display, smartphone integration and likely over-the-air updates, offering convenient connectivity and familiar app layouts, though touch-heavy controls can be distracting while driving. Acoustic insulation is generally good and the HVAC is effective, keeping cabin comfort steady in varying temperatures. For buyers who prioritise driver aids and a connected experience the Seal U delivers a competitive feature set for the price band. < h2 >Who is it for? < p >The BYD Seal U suits buyers seeking a stylish, tech-rich SUV that can be tailored as a long-range electric commuter or a plug‑in hybrid for mixed-use families, with power outputs from about < strong >218 to 324 hp to match driving preferences. Urban families and professionals who value cabin comfort, modern infotainment and low running costs (especially on the BEV or regularly charged PHEV) will find the Seal U compelling, while enthusiasts will favour the faster AWD PHEV for sharper performance. Competitors are premium-ish EV and PHEV crossovers that prioritise range and tech over outright sportiness, so the Seal U is a strong contender for buyers after value, space and up-to-date equipment without extreme pricing.

Costs and Consumption

Price
34300 - 39800 £
Consumption L/100km
0.4 - 1.2 L
Consumption kWh/100km
19.9 - 20.5 kWh
Electric Range
70 - 500 km
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 26 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
60 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1940 - 2147 kg
Trunk capacity
425 - 552 L
Length
4775 - 4785 mm
Width
1890 mm
Height
1668 - 1670 mm
Max trunk capacity
1440 - 1465 L
Payload
410 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
218 - 324 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.9 - 9.6 s
Max Speed
170 - 180 km/h
Torque
300 - 550 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
160 - 238 kW
Engine capacity
1497 - 1498 cm3

General

Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, A
Brand
BYD
What drive types are available for the BYD Seal U?

The BYD Seal U is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.