The BYD Seal U DM-i extends PHEV tech into BYD's range. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Seal U DM-i is BYD's first attempt at a Hybrid, a PHEV that aims to broaden the brand's sales base beyond EVs. It's possibly not the most exciting or engaging segment choice you could make, but value and practicality are both strong points that make this a family car worthy of consideration if you're looking at electrification but aren't quite ready for an electric vehicle.

Background

Just when we got used to the idea of Chinese maker BYD being an all-electric brand, along comes this car, the Seal U DM-i - a Plug-in Hybrid. You'd have thought the opposite approach - PHEV first, then EVs (as rival Polestar did) would make more sense. But BYD has its own way of doing things - as the unusual design of its first three EV models has shown. One of these was also badged 'Seal', a mid-sized EV saloon with premium aspirations that we really liked. We're not sure why the Plug-in Hybrid model we look at here also has a 'Seal' moniker because it shares virtually nothing with its EV showroom stablemate in terms of looks, price, powertrain or market positioning - the U DM-i is a five-door mid-sized SUV. The Seal U can also be had as an EV in other markets, but here to start with, we only get the DM-i PHEV version, the 'DM' letters standing for 'Dual Mode', BYD-speak for designation of the fact that an engine assists the electric drivetrain. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

It's a little-known fact that BYD was the first manufacturer to mass-produce a PHEV - a model called the F3DM back in 2008 that hardly anyone bought. But the Chinese learn quickly and BYD can justifiably claim cutting-edge Plug-in Hybrid technology with this Seal U DM-i. The mid-range front-driven 'Comfort'-spec version can claim an EV range of up to 78 miles from its 26.6kWh battery before a frugal normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine cuts in as you cruise past the queues at your local charging station. Still want that EV? This is one of three very different versions of the DM-i powertrain. There's an entry-level model badged 'Boost' (confusingly because its four cylinder engine is also normally aspirated). This variant uses the same 215bhp Atkinson cycle unit as the 'Comfort' model, aided by a single e-motor on the front axle and tuned for economy at low speeds. 'Boost'-spec though, mates this unit with a smaller 18.3kWh battery pack, with a still-reasonable EV range of 50 miles. The other Seal U DM-i model is the top 'Design'-spec version, tuned very much for performance. Here, the 1.5-litre engine gets a turbocharger and switches to the Miller cycle aimed at high speed frugality. Plus an extra e-motor is added to the rear axle to create AWD. Power jumps to 319bhp, improving the 8.9s 0-62mph sprint time you get with the front-driven models to just 5.9s. The 'Design' version supplements the usual 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' drive modes with extra 'Mud' and 'Sand' settings too. The battery on offer is the smaller 18.3kWh one and is supposed to deliver up to 43 miles of EV range. Expect the drive experience to be very EV-like - the complicated powertrain ensures that there's always a minimum battery charge of at least 25%. But don't expect the engaging driving dynamics we enjoyed with the Seal EV saloon. Seal U has a soft ride and light steering, but compensates with effective brakes and outstanding refinement.

Design and Build

After the avant-garde design that characterised the Seal EV saloon, the Seal U is surprisingly conservative to look at, though the Chinese maker insists that it's fashioned using the same 'Ocean aesthetics' design language. Which is supposedly highlighted by a prominent belt line that runs from the headlamps to the tail lights. Horizontal lines stretch across the nose, while the rear gets one of those currently fashionable full-width light strips. BYD has toned down the design aesthetics inside too. There's still that brand signature - an enormous rotating central screen, this one 15.6-inches in size. And you get the small bejewelled drive shifter from the Seal EV. But otherwise, things are a bit more class conventional - by BYD standards anyway. There's a large instrument screen that's slightly over-busy with information and a useful quick-access feature on the central monitor more easily turns off some of the more intrusive safety aids. A head-up display is standard, along with the usual parking aids, which you'll need because rearward vision is restricted by the small rear window. The long wheelbase means there's plenty of rear leg room, with space for up to three adults. The 450-litre boot isn't the biggest in the class and isn't supplemented with any extra under-floor space to store the charging cables, but it'll probably be sufficient for most owners.

Market and Model

The Seal U is priced quite a slug below the Seal EV saloon. There are no trim levels: just the three powertrain options, base 'Boost' (with the 18.3kWh battery), mid-level longer-ranging 'Comfort' (with the 26.6kWh battery) and top AWD 18.3kWh 'Design'. Think in terms of pricing starting from around £34,000 and ranging up to around £39,000 for the 'Design' variant. That significantly undercuts obvious rivals like PHEV versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Toyota RAV4. All derivatives come absolutely stuffed with equipment. Things like a head-up display, an enormous rotatable 15.6-inch infotainment screen, a Harmon Infinity premium audio system, heated and cooled seats and two wireless charging mats. There's also faux leather upholstery and vehicle-to-load functionality so that you can plug external devices into the vehicle's drive battery. In terms of safety and advanced driver assistance, the Seal U offers Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Lane Keep Assistance, Lane Change Assist and Emergency Lane Keep. There's also Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Cruise Control, a Blind Spot Detection System, ESP, Traction Control, Hill Decent Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, Intelligent Speed Limit Information and Intelligent Speed Limit Control.

Cost of Ownership

The 18.3kWh and 26.6kWh batteries used here can be either AC charged at up to 11kW or DC charged at up to 18kW. Charging from a DC public charger from 30 to 80% takes around 35 minutes using an 11kW charger. It's likely to take a bit longer than that with the 7.4kW wallbox your home is more likely to have. We gave you the drive range figures in our 'Driving' section: 50 miles for the 18.3kWh base 'Boost' model, 78 miles for the 26.6kWh 'Comfort' version and 44 miles for the AWD 'Design' derivative. The 'Boost' variant has a quoted combined consumption figure of 314mpg, but you're not likely to achieve that outside of a laboratory. A more realistic stat is that base variant's total range figure of up to 621 miles. The AWD top 'Design' flagship version will officially do 235mpg on the combined cycle and has a theoretical total range of 541 miles. There's a better warranty than you get from most rivals - up to six years or 93,750 miles, with an extra two years for the drive unit and the battery. That battery is covered for up to 125,000 miles and is guaranteed to retain at least 70% of its capacity throughout the warranty duration.

Summary

There's lots you might conceivably like here. The smooth powertrain should feel very much like the EV this Seal U will be on most commuting journeys. There's also lots of rear seat space, decent cabin quality and loads of equipment. Plus the EV claimed mileage of the longer-ranging 'Comfort' model is difficult to better in this class of mid-sized PHEV. We can't help being a little disappointed though, that the avant-garde design and sharp handling of the Seal EV saloon wasn't replicated here. Still, quite a few likely customers won't care very much about that and if you don't and want a family EV alternative, this Seal U DM-i certainly merits a place on your shortlist for mid-sized PHEVs.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

One touch electric front/rear windows with pinch protection

Front windscreen, UV protection, thermal insulation and sound proofing

Rear window and rear windscreen with tinted glass

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Hill descent control

Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)

Hill hold control

Electric parking brake

Automatic emergency braking system

Traction control system (TCS)

Hydraulic brake boost

Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)

Comfort stop

Brake override system (BOS)

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Front and rear parking sensors

Forward collision warning

Rear collision warning

360 camera

Lane departure prevention

Traffic sign recognition (TSR)

Lane change assist

Blind spot detection

Drive mode select (Eco, normal, sport, snow)

Rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake

Indirect driver fatigue management

Child presence detection

Front cross traffic alert and front cross traffic brake

Predictive collision warning

Automatic vehicle hold

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)

Lane Departure Assistant (LDA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)

Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC)

Controller Deceleration Parking (CDP)

Rollover Control System (RMI)

Driver Convenience

Electric tailgate release

Keyless system entry and start

BYD voice control assistant "Hi, BYD"

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function

Driver Information

Head up Display

e-Call (emergency call)

12.3" TFT full LCD instrument panel

Smartphone wireless charging, 2 x 15W

Driving Mirrors

Electric folding and heated door mirrors

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Entertainment

FM/DAB+ radio

Front USB ports, 1 x 18W Type C, 1 x 60W Type C

Rear USB ports, 2 x 18W Type C

Infinity sound system with 10 speakers

15.6" Electrically rotatable touchscreen

Exterior Body Features

Aluminium roof rails

Rear side wing doors

Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch sensor and electrically adjustable sunshade

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

High beam assist

Rear fog lights

Auto headlamps (on/off)

LED 3rd brake light

LED taillights

Follow me home (The headlights turned on in advance and delayed off function)

Dynamic welcome light

Exterior mirror footlights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Rear air vents

Heat pump

PM2.5 air filter

PM2.5 air purification system

Interior Features

Heated steering wheel

Front centre armrest with 2 cupholders

Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

12V power outlet

Vegan leather upholstery

Vegan leather multifunction steering wheel

Boot parcel shelf

Nylon floor mats

Interior Lights

Front LED reading lights

Rear side LED reading lights

Front seat footlights

LED front door lights

Rhythm-reactive multi-colour ambient lighting

Safety

Driver airbag

Front passenger airbag

Warning triangle

Front side airbags

Force limiting pretensioned front seat belts

Door open warning

Rear seat belt pretensioners

Side curtain airbags

Front passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Front centre airbag

Mechanical child safety lock

Reflective vest

Rear middle seat force limiting seat belt

Seats

Heated front seats

Driver seat memory function

Ventilated front seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Adjustable rear headrests

Single front passenger seat

Front passenger seat with 4-way electric adjustment

8 way electrically adjustable drivers seat

Integrated headrest in front seats

Split folding rear seats - 40/60

ISOFIX and i-Size for front passenger and outer rear seats

Security

Automatic door locking

Anti theft alarm system

2 x Smart key

Towing

Emergency tow hook

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

11kW on board charger

Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)

Vtol power strip - Type F

Wheels - Alloy

19" Bi-colour alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Tyre nut covers remover

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 192

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 15-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 55

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 18

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 30-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 200000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 26.6

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City: 171

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 124

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17.8

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.5

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City: 106

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 77

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 26.6

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 18

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 9

Engine and Drive Train

CC: 1498

Cylinders: 4

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low: 78.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium: 52.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High: 55.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 50.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low: 3.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium: 5.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High: 5.1

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 5.6

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 0.4

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 706.8

General

Coin Series: Comfort

Coin Description: DM-i

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 6

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 93750

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 32E

Service Interval Mileage: 20000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 90

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 83

NCAP Safety Assist %: 77

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 218

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.9

Top Speed: 105

Engine Power - BHP: 218

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 160

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 221

Engine Torque - NM: 300

Engine Torque - RPM: 4000

Engine Torque - MKG: 30.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/50 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 235/50 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4775

Width: 1890

Wheelbase: 2765

Width (including mirrors): 2085

Height: 1670

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1995

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2405

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 60

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 410

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 425

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1440

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 5.5

Exterior Body Features

Additional metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Sky blue

Metallic - Snow white

Metallic - Delan black

Metallic - Time grey

Trim - Leather

Vegan leather - Black