Brand New BYD Seal 6 1.5 DM-i Boost 4dr e-CVT

BYD widens its PHEV model portfolio with this Seal 6 DM-i. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

With the Seal 6 DM-i, BYD offers its growing PHEV customer base a wider choice of body shapes, with both saloon and Touring estate options. In terms of value for a mid-sized Plug-in Hybrid of this sort, this model re-sets the segment standard. And if you're shopping in this segment and don't necessarily want an SUV, it's definitely worth a long, hard look.

Background

BYD, the biggest EV brand in the world, has discovered something quite interesting: people really like its combustion models. There weren't any of those in Europe until the brand launched its Seal U DM-i SUV Plug-in Hybrid in 2023. But that car has gone on to out-sell all the company's full-electric models in the UK, recording 10,000 sales in its first 10 months on sale. The no-brainer next step was to make that same PHEV drivetrain available in other body shapes - which is what has created the Seal 6 DM-i model we look at here. If, like us, you've had a look at BYD's Seal EV saloon, quite liked it but wished that it could be had as something other than an EV, then the Seal 6 DMi is your car because that's what served up here. But with the added bonus that as well as a saloon body style, there's also an estate. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

If you're fed up with PHEVs that blow all your battery energy in one hit at the start of your drive, then you'll like the Seal 6 because it's not configured like that. Instead, the powertrain rations out its energy slowly, so it'll feel like the battery is taking you further than it actually is. Exactly how much further will depend on which of the two versions of this PHEV powertrain you choose. In both cases, it's BYD's usual 'Super Hybrid' system, as used by the Seal U DM-i SUV; which blends a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors. Two flavours of this powertrain are available, both slightly differently tuned from what you'll find in the Seal U DM-i SUV. The rather misleadingly-named entry-level 'Boost' version has up to 181bhp, whether it's operating as a full-EV or a Hybrid; and its PHEV system uses a 10kWh battery offering an EV range of 31 miles. Which is all a bit 'five years ago' by PHEV range standards, so you'll properly want one of the longer-range 'Comfort'-spec models. With those, the much bigger 19kWh battery's extra 100kg of weight is compensated for by an increase in powertrain output to 209bhp. Range is 65 miles for the saloon and 62 miles for the estate. 0-62mph takes 8.5s. As with the SUV version of this car, expect quiet cruising, but unremarkable drive dynamics and a pretty firm ride. Perhaps more significant than all of these though are the rather intrusive ADAS features. With regard to the those, we'd counsel you to try before you buy.

Design and Build

If you're looking at the saloon version of the Seal 6, there are virtually no exterior visual differences over the existing four-door Seal EV, except for the badge work and the addition of a tail pipe. The Seal 6 Tourer though, introduces an estate body shape for the very first time to this Chinese brand. Both variants look smart without being showy, courtesy of ex-Audi stylist Wolfgang Egger's 'Ocean Aesthetics' design language. Size-wise, the 4,800mm length of the four-door is plumb in the middle of upper mid-sized saloon territory. Inside, all might look much as the BYD norm, but for brand followers there's a surprise; a central screen that doesn't rotate. This one's permanently in landscape format and will usually be 12.8-inches in size - with a bigger 15.6-inch display fitted to the top-spec version. Possibly more useful to customers than a twirly screen will be the brand's new wireless smartphone charger, which has 50W of power and a cooling vent. Build quality is fine, equipment levels are generous and there's the usual rather small cluttered BYD instrument display. Rear seat space is excellent, with loads of leg room. And because this Seal 6 retains its EV cousin's completely flat floor, a third centre-seated adult will easily fit if need be. PHEVs in this class usually have compromised boot space; the feeble 375-litre figure of a BMW 330e comes to mind. The Seal 6 does much better, offering 491-litres in saloon form or 500-litres as an estate, the latter able to extend space to 1,535-litres with the rear bench folded.

Market and Model

Expect pricing to start from around £33,000 for the saloon - or from around £35,000 for the Touring estate. That's extremely good value by mid-sized PHEV standards, especially in view of what you get in terms of standard equipment from the three trim levels - 'Boost', 'Comfort Lite' and 'Comfort'. Even base 'Boost' spec comes with metallic paint, LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. Touring versions get a powered tailgate, roof rails and a luggage compartment 12V socket. All Seal 6 models get a vehicle-to-load system allowing you to use power from the drive battery to energise external devices like laptops and coffee machines. You don't get this feature in many rivals. Most UK customers are expected to choose the bigger-battery mid-level 'Comfort Lite' model, which gets larger 18-inch 'flying axe-style' alloy wheels, along with a heated steering wheel, puddle lights, rear privacy glass and 50kW cooled smartphone charging. You'll need top 'Comfort' spec to get the largest 15.6-inch central screen size. As usual with the brand, a whole host of ADAS safety systems are standard but many of them are quite intrusive, particularly the driver attention warning set-up. To give you the complete ADAS list, the Seal 6 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

With the larger 19kWh battery, BYD reckons a Seal 6 could offer a driving range between stops of up to 838 miles, once the combustion element is factored in. That's aided by the engine's impressive thermal efficiency figure of 43%. Battery charging times depend on the model you've chosen. Base 'Boost' trim can only accept up to 3.3kWh with AC charging, which means that three hours are needed to fully recharge the battery. The 'Comfort Lite' and top 'Comfort' models double that AC speed and add support for 26kW DC charging, which when activated reduces recharge times down to 23 minutes. The official combined cycle fuel figure is 166mpg for the 19kWh model; in the real world, expect 45-55mpg. CO2 emissions are quoted at 60g/km for 'Boost' spec and 34g/km for 'Comfort Lite' and 'Comfort', the latter consequently BiK tax-rated at just 9%. 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 eight years or 125,000 miles and is guaranteed to retain at least 70% of its capacity throughout the warranty duration.

Summary

Assuming you're sold on the PHEV concept and you don't necessarily want an SUV, there's lots here you might like - but also just a few things that might cause you to pause for thought. Amongst the likes will be the affordable price, the smart looks and the generous equipment levels. You can do better in this class for EV range and cabin space - but not much better. You might not be quite so impressed the drive dynamics, the ride and the somewhat intrusive nature of the many ADAS systems. But the sales success of the similarly-engineered Seal U DM-i SUV suggests that these are not deal-breakers for many customers. Many of whom find it hard to look beyond the enticing sticker prices BYD is offering in our market. Here's yet another model that will grow the company's UK market share.