Video Summary
Here is the summary of the YouTube video:The car being reviewed is the BYD SEAL U DM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV. The base model costs £33,300, with the top spec going for £40,015. There are three available versions, only changing the battery size and power, keeping it simple. The base model uses a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 96 hp, backed up by 200 hp from the electric motors.
The mid-spec model has the same engine and 96 hp, but a bigger 28 kWh battery, giving 78 miles of electric driving range, compared to 50 miles in the base model with its 18 kWh battery. The top spec has a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with two motors, over 320 hp, but only 40 miles of electric range with the smaller battery.
There are dual wireless phone chargers, digital dashboard, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a large entertainment screen inside. All versions have the same kit. 10-speaker sound system. The entertainment system has quick response and functioning wireless CarPlay but has an infotainment that looks a bit like older ones and the user cannot use carplay when it’s rotated vertically.
If wearing polarized sunglasses, the screen cannot be seen in portrait orientation. You also can’t see the head-up display while wearing polarized sunglasses. Aircon controls are buried in submenus. There is a steering wheel with unusual buttons, including ones to activate the 360 camera and to rotate the screen. There are storage spaces.
The rear seats are very spacious, with a good amount of legroom, and they can recline. However, there isn’t much foot room, and the high floor leads to an unnatural bend in the legs. The windows can feel high, causing the space to feel smaller. There is an included safety knife for cutting the seatbelt and breaking a window. The boot space is 425 litres, which is less than a Skoda Kodiaq or VW Tiguan.
The hybrid system is well sorted, with a barely audible petrol engine. Road and wind noise are refined, and the 0-62mph time is 5.9 seconds. The drive is too relaxed and has a fair amount of body lean when cornering; therefore, the reviewer recommends a sport mode is used to give the steering wheel weight and improve the feel of the car.
For value for money, this car is a winner, but it has quite a few flaws. The driving experience is a bit too wallowy and boaty, and the boot is a bit small. On that basis, it’s a 7/10 car, and the fully electric cars are better.
