IT’S only been 12 months since BYD started selling their electric cars here in the UK – and now they’re branching out into the plug-in hybrid market.

I’m going to go all Michael Caine here because not a lot of people know this (it was news to me) but BYD was the first manufacturer to mass produce a PHEV back in 2008. It wasn’t exactly a success, but the game has moved on.

So, as well as the electric Atto 3, Dolphin supermini and Seal saloon, we now have coming round the corner the PHEV Seal U DM-i family SUV.

Expect more to follow from the brand in the coming years as the Chinese aim for a big chunk of sales over here.

The Seal U is very much aimed at family SUV owners who aren’t quite ready to make the full switch to full electric just yet. You get the best of both worlds here – a modest 50 mile electric range in the Boost version and the backup of a tank of petrol.

The front-wheel-drive Boost has a 1.5-litre normally aspirated hybrid petrol engine, BYD’s ground breaking 18.3kWh Blade battery and an electric motor at the front. All versions are plug-in hybrid, with single and dual-motor options, ranging from 215bhp to 319bhp, all using a smart single-speed transmission.

In Boost spec here, the Seal U can travel 671 miles on a full tank of petrol and a 100 per cent charge. BYD claim it’s the most economical car in its class.

It majors on BYD’s advanced Super DM (Dual Mode) Technology, that prioritises electric power for around 90 per cent of driving conditions,
Inside, it’s mostly soft-touch surfaces, with the seats, dashboard, door panels and centre console upholstered in vegan faux leather. It’s dominated by BYD’s unique 15.6in rotating infotainment touchscreen.

Up front, there’s plenty of space for driver and passenger and it’s similarly good in the rear.

Another of BYD’s claims is that it’s the quietest in the class, and in truth it does have a decent level of refinement.

The transition between electric and petrol power is to all intents and purposes seamless and so quiet that you wouldn’t even notice when the petrol engine had kicked if it wasn’t for the extra bit of performance.

Power is delivered smoothly and quietly. The steering is light and perhaps it’s a car better suited to a more relaxed driving style than rushing to make up for lost time on a trip. It’s quite a heavy vehicle so if you start throwing it around you’ll notice it.

Standard equipment is very impressive. For your £33,205, the Boost comes with electric seats, a 15.6in infotainment touchscreen (which you can rotate from portrait to landscape), a 360 degree camera, a huge panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, wireless phone charging and vehicle-to-load capability (which means the battery can be used to power external devices).Its practicality for family use is evident with ample luggage space, class-leading infotainment and smart connectivity, as well as a lengthy list of intelligent driver assistance and safety features.

Overall a good-value for money package, with a long range, decent space and an unrivalled standard equipment. The ultimate Chinese takeaway?

BYD Seal U DM-i Boost

Price: £33,205
Engine: 1.5 litre, four cylinder, petrol, 18.3kWh Blade battery
Power: 215bhp
Torque: 221lb/ft
Transmission: automatic
Top speed: 106mph
0-60mph: 8.9 seconds
Economy: 671 miles
CO2 emissions: 20.5g/km

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