• Hybrid only for the UK
• Both options are efficient
• Design model is brisk

Hybrid engines

At launch there are two plug-in hybrid engine options named Boost and Design.

Both the launch specs feature an 18.3kWh battery pack and can be either AC charged at up to 11kW or DC charged up to 18kW. The Boost trim includes a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol and a single electric motor, developing 218hp and capable of sprinting to 62mph in 8.9 seconds. BYD claims Boost models are capable of between 44.1-313.8mpg depending on use, and good for around 50 miles of zero-emission driving.

Go for the Design model and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine is used, with a second electric motor providing electric all-wheel drive. Power jumps to 324hp and the 0-62mph sprint drops to 5.9 seconds. BYD says fuel economy can be around 38.1-235.4mpg depending on use, and roughly 43 miles of electric range is possible, making even the more powerful model very competitive with a large range of plug-in hybrid SUVs on sale today.

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What’s interesting here, though, is that the BYD almost feels like an electric car to drive – acting closer to the likes of the Renault Austral E-Tech Hybrid or Nissan Qashqai e-Power while it’s on the road. The complicated powertrain used here always strives to always maintain a minimum 25 per cent charge (rather than letting the battery run to zero like most PHEVs), and you can adjust how much charge you want to keep via the infotainment screen.

We’ve only tested the upper Design version thus far and performance is more than good enough, with a smooth and very linear power delivery as you’d expect, and a reasonable step-up in throttle response as you switch between Eco, Normal and Sport (if nothing else). When the engine does wake up, it’s remarkably quiet even under hard acceleration, which is impressive. Wind noise is minor, too, with only a little bluster coming from the door mirrors.

Electric version

We don’t get the Seal U electric model in the UK. It is available to buy on the continent, but only in the Netherlands at present. BYD says the electric Seal U uses an 87kWh battery pack that can deliver up to 311 miles on a charge.

What’s it like to drive?

• Overly soft suspension
• Vague, uninspiring steering
• Great brake pedal feel

This is where it’s much more of a mixed bag. While the Seal U DM-i excels in terms of being quiet and calm on the road, it’s not that good to drive.

The steering is a little vague, with not much feel as you turn. There’s an ever-present need to readjust your inputs going into corners – something that’s not very confidence inspiring.

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The Seal U is also incredibly softly sprung, with the biggest big snag being that it introduces a lot of pitching and wallowing over large undulations in the road, where the car will tilt and lean considerably at pretty much any speed. It’s not great for passengers that are prone to car sickness on twisty or bumpy roads. Smaller ruts in the road cause the car to jiggle and jolt, too. It’s not a car that feels particularly tied down, even if it does feel a little calmer at a motorway cruise.

One of the few positives is the impressive feeling from the brake pedal – something that’s so rare on a plug-in hybrid model due to balancing the combination between regenerative and physical braking. The pedal bites early and feels progressive rather than soggy or unpredictable in feel like so many other PHEVs on the market.