Motors with Joe Rayfus: New BYD SUV gets my Seal of approval

The Seal U’s styling caught my eye from the moment I saw it at the launch. It has a distinctively modern silhouette, with a sloping roofline and attractive LED headlight and taillight designs. The 19-inch aerodynamically shaped wheels give it presence without making the ride harsh—a welcome combination for Irish roads.

Stepping inside, the cabin feels more premium than the entry-level price might suggest. BYD’s “Ocean” design theme is carried throughout, from the centre console to the gear lever. While some might find it a bit gimmicky, I appreciated how it made the interior feel distinctive compared to the usual sea of grey plastic you find in many family SUVs.

My first surprise came when I climbed into the back seat. I’m six feet tall with the build of a long-retired linebacker, and there was room to spare for both legs and head, even with the sunroof overhead. BYD has managed to design a flat floor that opens up extra legroom for rear passengers, and that makes it especially practical if you have a child in a booster seat in the middle. Three in the rear bench? Not a problem. For everyday errands or weekend getaways, the boot comfortably handled the weekly shop, a set of golf clubs, and I still had space for a few bags. Officially, you get 425 litres with the seats up, expanding to 1,440 litres if you fold them flat.

The Seal U’s real party piece, though, is its Super DM (Dual Mode) Technology, which BYD calls DM-i for its intelligent management of battery and engine power. The SUV houses an 18.3 kWh Blade Battery—well-known for its safety and efficiency—and a 1.5-litre Xiaoyun petrol engine. In town, I mostly cruised on electric power, enjoying a near-silent experience with enough instant torque to dart in and out of traffic.

On longer trips, once the battery dipped, the engine kicked in seamlessly. The transition was so smooth that the only giveaway was the slight hum from under the bonnet. Even then, I rarely noticed it thanks to effective cabin insulation. Over the course of around 800 kilometres, which included some motorway driving and plenty of country roads, my average fuel consumption hovered around BYD’s claim of 6.4 litres per 100 km. Factor in that you can travel up to 80 km purely on electricity, and this becomes a genuinely useful plug-in hybrid for the day-to-day commute.

When it came to charging, I found the 30% to 80% DC fast-charge capability in roughly 35 minutes handy if I stopped at a service station or a shopping centre. Most nights, I just plugged into a home charger. Going from near empty to a full battery overnight was never an issue. With the engine and battery working together, the Seal U can theoretically travel up to 1,080 km on a single fill and charge—a real confidence booster if you’re planning trips across Ireland.

Despite its size, the Seal U feels reassuringly planted and balanced. The steering is direct but light, which makes parking in tight spaces less stressful. On the motorway, I found the ride commendably smooth, a testament to BYD’s chassis tuning. Acceleration is strong, too—BYD claims 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds with the all-wheel-drive version, and while I didn’t clock it precisely, merging onto a busy M4 felt effortless.

Equipment-wise, you’re not left wanting. Even the entry-level Boost model (from €42,150) gets a rotatable touchscreen with built-in apps and navigation, keyless entry, and a panoramic sunroof. The infotainment system is easy to use and can be controlled via voice commands or the touchscreen. Wireless connectivity and 4G mean streaming your favourite tunes or using up-to-date navigation is a breeze.

I was particularly impressed by the car’s clever vehicle-to-load feature. While I didn’t power a TV or lawnmower in my driveway, I could see it being incredibly useful for campers looking to run a mini-fridge or an electric grill off the car’s battery.

No family SUV would be complete without a robust suite of safety systems, and the Seal U obliges. Standard features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Coupled with a top-notch five-star Euro NCAP rating, it’s an SUV that offers genuine peace of mind.

After a week of living with the BYD Seal U, it’s clear that the company’s transition from purely electric vehicles into the hybrid world has been a success. The combination of an efficient powertrain, outstanding interior space, and a strong level of standard equipment makes this SUV a serious contender. Factor in its competitive pricing and a raft of clever features, and the Seal U stands out as one of the best family SUVs on sale today. If you’re looking for a practical, eco-minded hybrid that won’t break the bank, the BYD Seal U Super Hybrid deserves a spot on your shortlist.