BYDSeal 6

The Seal 6 DM-i is BYD’s plug-in hybrid saloon, a sleek four-door that targets company-car drivers who would otherwise pick a BMW 330e or Skoda Superb iV. It is offered in two trims, Boost from £34,020 and Comfort from £37,020, and is also available as the Seal 6 DM-i Touring estate.

## Battery, range and charging

Boost has a 10 kWh Blade battery and around 34 miles of electric range, while Comfort’s 19 kWh pack gives about 65 miles on the WLTP cycle – BYD quotes up to 87 miles in town. Comfort can rapid-charge at up to 26 kW and charges at 6.6 kW on AC; Boost is limited to 3.3 kW AC. With a 65-litre tank, BYD claims a combined range of more than 900 miles and official economy of up to 64.2 mpg.

## Performance and driving

Both versions are front-wheel drive with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. Boost produces 184 hp and reaches 62 mph in 8.9 seconds; Comfort has 212 hp and takes 8.5 seconds. It is relaxed and quiet at town speeds, but UK testers found the ride poorly controlled on bumpy roads and the engine noisy when worked hard.

## Interior and space

The saloon’s 491-litre boot is larger than a BMW 3 Series plug-in’s, and the rear seats fold for longer items. Rear legroom is generous, and Comfort brings heated and ventilated electric front seats with memory, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof.

## Technology and safety

Boost has a 12.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 17-inch wheels; Comfort steps up to a 15.6-inch rotating screen, 18-inch wheels and a 360° camera. Adaptive cruise control and lane assistance are standard, and the Seal 6 has a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

## Who is it for?

Business drivers chasing low benefit-in-kind tax and a long electric range for the money. Rivals include the BMW 330e, Skoda Superb iV and Volkswagen Passat eHybrid, all of which drive better but cost considerably more.