BYD Seal U DM-i (2025) Review

Introduction

If you need an introduction to BYD, it's one of many Chinese automotive manufacturers taking the UK market by storm.

Many have arrived on these shores over the last couple of years.

There’s Ora, Omoda, Jaecoo and Leapmotor – and that’s only a handful of them.

BYD is in the same boat.

The brand name first appeared in 1995 when it launched as a battery manufacturer, and although the car-making division came about later, it’s anything but new.

In fact, BYD Auto, as it’s known in its native city of Shenzhen in Guangdong, was formed over 22 years ago when it took over Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile. This company had been doing business since the late 1980s.

You probably wouldn't want to drive any of the cars it produced in its earlier years, which were poorly built and unworthy of comparison with even the lowliest European manufacturers at the time.

But China is now rejecting this typecast – and the floodgates have truly opened.

BYD has only been trading cars in the UK since 2023 but already boasts a fleet of six electric vehicles: the Atto 2, Atto 3, Sealion 7, Dolphin, Dolphin Surf, and Seal.

But it’s now launched its first hybrid, called the Seal U DM-i, though rather confusingly, it bears little resemblance to the electric Seal.

The name is a rather strange choice, then, given they're entirely different cars, but what we're far more bothered about is how good it is.

We have taken one for a test drive to find out.

At A Glance

As we said earlier, the Seal U DM-i vastly differs from the all-electric Seal.

The latter looks closer to a Porsche Taycan than the larger SUV we’re testing.

The Seal U DM-i has a mean front end with a sloping bonnet – in fact, further comparisons with Porsche, mostly the Macan, aren’t all that out of place in terms of looks.

The front end features four long horizontal lines to partially create the grille, followed by two more on each side to help define the shape of the air intakes.

These intakes are carved out from the bodywork, enveloping the outer extremities at the sides and below.

Above all that, the headlights sit on top of the sloping bonnet, pointing inward to create an aggressive shape, with off-shooting thin day running lights like a quiff beneath them.

Around the sides, a noticeable sloping roofline can be seen, while a sharp crease emanates from the bodywork lines at the front, running through the doors and around the back of the car.

Cladding on the wheel arches hints at more rugged off-roading credentials, as you'd expect from any SUV. It extends down to the bottom of the doors, which are also styled with thicker, shapelier cladding.

The rear looks stylish, too, thanks to a horizontal light bar that spans the full width of the tailgate and merges into the centre of the thicker taillights at each side.

The taillights then wrap around the side of the car, while beneath the light bar, there’s a deep cutout above the number plate.

BYD taking styling cues from Porsche is doing it no harm at all. While none of the UK-bound Chinese manufacturers produce hideous monstrosities, BYD arguably leads the way in the beauty stakes.

Key Features

The BYD Seal U DM-i is available in three trim levels, though unusually, there is no difference between them whatsoever, for reasons we’ll explain shortly.

As a result, all models get 19-inch alloy wheels, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, digital radio, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, an Infinity sound system and a head-up display.

Automatic LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beam, metallic paint, rain-sensing wipers and rear privacy glass are also part of the deal. You also get a vegan leather steering wheel, and ventilated and heated electrically powered front seats along with a memory function for the driver.

Furthermore, all models include a panoramic sunroof and an electric tailgate as standard, as well as ambient lighting and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

That is a very impressive equipment list, and it shows how hard BYD is trying to tempt people away from leasing more established brands.

There are Boost, Comfort, and Design trim levels, with the only distinction being their power source.

All come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a CVT gearbox connected to an electric motor.

The Boost and Comfort models output a total of 217PS with front-wheel drive, though the latter gets a larger battery, which we’ll cover shortly.

Although the range-topping Design only gets the same smaller battery as the Boost model, its petrol engine is turbocharged, meaning it's suitable for 323PS.

The Design model also adds an extra electric motor to propel the rear wheels, giving it all-wheel drive.

Range & Batteries

Two battery sizes are offered on the Seal U DM-i.

The entry-level Boost and top-of-the-range Design models have the same 18.3kWh battery, providing an all-electric range of 50 miles and 43 miles, respectively.

Mid-range Comfort gets a larger 26.6kWh battery, which is good for a claimed range of 78 miles.

Expect less than the quoted range figures in the real world, though.

Nevertheless, these are great range figures for relatively small batteries. They are achieved by some clever tech that uses the engine to recharge the battery when it’s running low.

Performance & Drive

We are focusing on the Boost model, which can go from 0 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds - that's not too shabby for an SUV.

The Comfort model has the same powertrain and identical figures, though you'll shave a full 3.0 seconds off that time if you choose the range-topping all-wheel drive Design model.

In all models, though, the engine is reasonably smooth and only screeches when you work it hard.

Admittedly, when you do, the engine note is anything but pleasing.

Still, straight-line speed isn't a particular issue, even in the slower models, and you'll have no problem getting up to 70mph and overtaking on dual-carriageways and motorways.

Your performance level, though, depends on which driving mode you're in - and there are five of them.

EV mode runs the car exclusively on electric power, while Hybrid EV mode switches between electric and petrol power, prioritising the former where possible.

Eco mode limits power output, while Normal mode offers a more balanced experience between economy and performance, and Sport mode prioritises performance over battery saving.

You can, though, set the car so it’ll always retain a certain battery level, which is useful if you want to have some all-electric range in reserve later.

In terms of handling, the BYD isn't at all sporty. It delivers lots of body roll around corners and generally struggles to carry its weight through faster bends.

As a result, driving is not entertaining unless your idea of entertainment is going too quickly while desperately clinging on for dear life around a sharp corner.

Keep it sensible, and you'll have no problems. However, agility isn't in the Seal U DM-i's vocabulary.

It isn’t helped by the steering, which offers limited feedback through the wheel, is very light, and doesn’t weight up in the bends, though at least this makes it easier to drive around town centres.

The suspension is very absorbing, so this car is firmly positioned at the comfort end of the spectrum rather than the agile end.

It can also feel a bit wobbly and unsettled at times – it’s so soft that it can almost feel a tad bouncy if you’re not careful, but at least bobbing about feels nicer than crashing through potholes.

If you’re after something cushioning, this is an ideal candidate, but it’s certainly not for keener drivers.

Charging

All versions of the Seal U DM-i can charge at a maximum rate of 18kW.

That means a 30-80% top-up takes 35 minutes for the Boost and Design models' smaller battery and 55 minutes for the Comfort model's larger one.

11kW home charging is supported. It takes two hours in the Boost and Design models and just over three hours in the Comfort model.

Beware, though, that BYD quotes times at maximum charging speed based on a 30-80% charge-up, whereas most manufacturers record figures for 10-80%, so the BYD isn’t as quick to charge as its times suggest.

It is also worth noting that many homes can only support up to 7kW charging and cannot take advantage of the faster 11kW speed. Want to know more about EV charging? Read more in our charging guide.

Running Costs & Emissions

The Seal U DM-i is an economical choice thanks to its all-electric capability.

The Boost model returns 403.9mpg, emitting 26g/km of CO2, while the mid-range Comfort model achieves 706.8mpg and produces 15g/km of CO2.

Opting for the top-of-the-range Design model drops the fuel economy figure to 282.7mpg, increasing the emissions to 37g/km of CO2.

If you're after a company car, the Comfort model is a no-brainer. Thanks to its lower emissions and greater all-electric range, it's in a lower band for Benefit In Kind tax.

BYD's reliability is unknown, and this is its first hybrid, so even BYD’s record elsewhere may not accurately reflect this new car.

Interior & Technology

The BYD Seal U DM-i cabin looks lovely, and it's clear that a lot of effort has gone into its design.

It is full of plush, soft-to-the-touch surfaces that feel premium when you run your fingers over them, and it generally feels well-built.

The flat-bottomed steering wheel also impresses, with silver spokes and a thick wheel rim with thumb indentations, which makes it pleasant to hold on to.

The cabin is bathed in ambient lighting, which is blue in our case (though you can change it to 255 other colours), and the centre console and even the interior door handles feel robust.

The infotainment screen, though, grabs your attention. Firstly, it's enormous - 15.6 inches, to be precise - and its thin borders instantly make it look modern, with the graphics only reinforcing that viewpoint.

In fact, it looks much like the interface of any normal tablet - sleek, modern, and full of useful information - and undoubtedly borrows from Tesla's book.

Even better, it can be rotated 90 degrees, so while our screen is landscape by default, you can have it portrait if you wish.

The screen is responsive to your inputs, too, though some of the icons are a little small. Also, the system is packed with features, so it can be difficult to find your way around at first.

While most drivers will no doubt get used to it in time, we’re relieved that you can add your own shortcut buttons to find your most-used menus more easily.

Unfortunately, the climate control settings are among the features buried into the screen, with no physical controls on offer. We had mixed results using the voice control to adjust the temperature.

It works if you speak as clearly as possible, even if talking in an unusual voice may generate strange looks from your passengers.

The digital instrument display behind the wheel is equally sharp, clear, and information-filled, and it's customisable.

Overall, the cabin is very impressive, and even the cheaper materials feel well made rather than being flimsy plastic bits.

It is clear that premium brands are using more expensive materials, though, and ordinary manufacturers are competing well in terms of interior design nowadays. However, we still felt it was an impressive effort by BYD.

Practicality & Boot Space

The Seal U DM-I’s seats feel spacious and cosseting, allowing you to sink into them and easily get comfortable.

Finding a good driving position is simple. Not only are you perched fairly high up, but you can also make changes via the handy electric adjustment in the seat, which is standard on all models.

The side bolsters aren't amazing, but this is hardly a vehicle you'll be trying to thread sideways around corners, so it doesn't matter.

What matters is that the driving position gives you excellent visibility out of the front, and although the swept-back windscreen means the pillars get in your way a little more, it's not too bad at all.

The rear ones are much thicker, though. This is not helped by the angle of the rear side windows, which sacrifices a lot of visibility over your shoulders. The angled rear windscreen and roof spoiler create further limitations.

Still, it’s not the end of the world, as all models come with front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree surround-view camera as standard.

There's plenty of space in the front, with oodles of headroom and legroom, and the cabin is sufficiently wide to avoid banging elbows with a fellow front-seat occupant.

In the rear, too, even taller adults won't struggle to accommodate their feet, though the roofline slope is quite steep, so this may be worth factoring in if this is likely to affect you. The rear seats can be reclined to mitigate the issue.

Getting three adults in the back is doable, too, although if this is a regular occurrence, an even larger SUV might be worth looking into.

The BYD offers 425 litres of boot space, more than in a Mazda MX-30 R-EV but less than many of its foes - the Kia Sportage PHEV provides over 20% more space, while the Honda CR-V e PHEV offers over 30% more capacity.

The BYD’s boot increases to 1,440 litres if you fold the rear seats, although they only fold in a 60:40 split rather than the more convenient 40:20:40 configuration found in the Sportage.

There is a modest loading lip, which shouldn't cause too much of a problem. If it does, you can adjust the height of the boot floor to remove it altogether.

Safety

The BYD Seal U was put through its paces by crash testing experts at Euro NCAP in 2023, earning a five-star rating.

It scored an impressive 90% for adult occupants, 86% for children and 77% for safety assists.

Those assists include automatic emergency braking, lane change and lane keeping assist, lane departure assist and prevention, blind spot detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, forward and rear collision warning, plus adaptive cruise control.

You also get driver fatigue management, intelligent cruise control, intelligent speed limit control, traffic sign recognition, hill hold control, vehicle dynamics control, and a rollover control system.

A cool 360-degree camera and parking sensors at the front and rear are also included, all as standard.

Options

The Seal U DM-i does not have an options list, although you can at least choose the body colour.

The four choices are Delan Black, Time Grey, Snow White, and Sky Blue.

That’s about it.

Rival Cars

There’s no shortage of rivals to the Seal U DM-i.

The leading contenders are the Nissan Qashqai e-Power, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda MX-30 R-EV, and MG HS PHEV.

Volkswagen offers the Tiguan eHybrid, while the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 also offer plug-in capability.

There is also the Jeep Renegade 4xe and the self-charging hybrid, the Renault Austral E-Tech.

Verdict & Next Steps

The BYD Seal U DM-i is an excellent choice if a big equipment list and great value for money are high up your priority list.

Even the cheapest model, the Boost, comes with a superbly generous standard of kit - lots of safety systems built in - and it undercuts plenty of competitors. However, the keen pricing of Mazda's sophisticated MX-30 R-EV might surprise you.

It has good looks on the outside and a very nice interior, too. The electric range is very impressive, given the small size of the batteries. It is spacious and practical, too, although the sloping roofline limits rear headroom.

The powertrains aren’t lacking either, especially in the top-of-the-range Design model. However, given the handling is poor and it doesn’t feel particularly settled, we'd question the point of having the more potent version.

As such, we’d stick with the entry-level Boost model we drove. However, those after a company car or regularly travelling long distances are better off upgrading to the Comfort model for its extra all-electric range.

Overall, the driving experience is left wanting. Still, a nice cabin, clever tech, generous equipment levels, practicality, economy and electric range means the Seal U DM-i still delivers by the oceanful.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the BYD Seal U SUV.

**Correct as of 02/06/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 36 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,916.00 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.