0
0
Barely a day appears to go by with out us buckling in for the launch of yet one more Chinese automotive designed to upset the automotive apple cart, and right here’s one other such premiere – on this case, it’s the BYD Seal 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Despite its baffling marine-mammal-and-alphanumeric nameplate, this isn’t a much bigger, grander automotive than the present Seal mid-size electrical sedan. Instead, it’s just about BYD’s tackle a big household automobile with PHEV energy and the selection of two physique kinds, that are the Saloon and the Touring property.
Ostensibly, it is a D-segment machine, competing with fashions such because the Volkswagen Passat eHybrid obtainable abroad. But such is BYD’s market positioning and aggressive pricing technique, the corporate reckons it may tempt individuals out of even a BMW 3 Series Touring PHEV – which isn’t offered in Australia.
Bold claims, so we headed over to the European launch of the automotive within the UK to find the reality.
How a lot does the BYD Seal 6 price?
Australian pricing and specs for the Seal 6 DM-i haven’t been confirmed, because the mannequin hasn’t been locked in for our market but, nevertheless it’s wager that in true BYD model, this automobile will provide lots of automotive and lots of package, all for not lots of moolah.
Any extrapolation we do right here could be pure guesswork, however over in Europe the place we’ve got some comparable costs to play with, even the very top-spec Touring Premium is about 9.4 per cent cheaper than essentially the most cheap Skoda Superb iV Estate, whereas it’s a large 17.3 per cent much less expensive than the entry level of Volkswagen Passat Estate PHEV possession (NB: the 2 VW Group automobiles are solely supplied as wagons in the event that they’re plug-in hybrids).
Of course, referencing these two automobiles right here is probably a sore level, as a result of we solely get the Superb in high-ranking Sportline spec and with a 4×4 TSI drivetrain in Australia, so it’s a $74,000 automotive earlier than you’ve even began. And we don’t even get the Passat in its present, estate-only format in any respect.
Therefore, a greater yardstick may be BYD’s personal Sealion 6 mid-size SUV. It’s additionally offered in DM-i PHEV format and is priced from $42,990 to $52,990 earlier than on-roads right here. So, if the Seal 6 does, as anticipated, arrive right here for much less cash than the Sealion 6, it may very well be super worth for cash contemplating the scale and sophistication of automotive you’re getting.
Let us aid you discover your new automotive
Buy your new automotive with out the stress. It’s quick, easy and fully free.
Great service from Travis and workforce, second time I’ve used this enterprise wouldn’t hesitate to suggest them to anybody
Craig C.
Purchased a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD
CarExpert helped Craig save hundreds on his Ford Ranger, now allow us to prevent in your subsequent new automotive.
Find a deal
What is the BYD Seal 6 like on the within?
It’s okay, though we wouldn’t say it’s sensible. Material high quality is about satisfactory in most locations, but there are just a few key touchpoints which may go away you cringing – the column-stalk gear shifter, as an example, feels flimsy and low cost.
Generally, although, the Seal 6’s cabin isn’t too offensive to have a look at or function. Technology is offered by a dual-screen interface – all automobiles get an 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument panel, however the dimension of the central touchscreen varies in response to trim; base automobiles make do with a 12.8-inch unit, whereas the flagship model upgrades to a 15.6-inch merchandise.
Only the latter of those does BYD’s occasion trick of rotating from panorama to portrait orientation and again once more. The 12.8-inch display is a set show, though we’ve at all times questioned the benefit of that spinning-bowtie infotainment panel anyway, as a result of you may’t run both Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in portrait mode.
Anyway, all the things’s laid out fairly properly and there’s sufficient visible curiosity occurring to make sure the fascia of the Seal 6 doesn’t look boring. Also, the artificial leather-based seat trim is price a thumbs-up too.
As for house, each the Saloon and the Touring have loads of rear legroom, however the bench’s squab appears high-mounted, so headroom is just common and there’s not likely a lot house underneath the entrance seats into which second-row occupants can put their toes.
There is, although, a flat flooring proper by way of the again of the cabin.
Boot house can also be acceptable, with the Saloon providing up 491 litres with all seats in use, and a wholesome 1370L with the rear bench folded down – though bear in mind it is a correct saloon physique, with a shallow opening; the BYD will not be a ‘surprise’ liftback in disguise.
Strangely, the Touring isn’t truly significantly better on this regard. An preliminary 675L seats-up capability appears to be like superb, till you realise that’s with the wagon loaded as much as the roof lining.
The extra accepted measurement to the tops of the rear seats is a modest 500L. And that solely climbs to 1535L with the again row folded away. A whopping nice Skoda-rivalling property, this factor will not be.
| Dimensions | BYD Seal 6 DM-i Saloon |
|---|---|
| Length | 4840mm |
| Width | 1875mm |
| Height | 1495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2790mm |
| Cargo capability | 491L – 2nd row up 1370L – 2nd row down |
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The two powertrains introduced for the BYD Seal 6 DM-i up to now are each PHEVs, as a result of that’s what the ‘DM’ stands for within the title: Dual Mode.
| Specifications | BYD Seal 6 DM-i Saloon |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl petrol/electrical |
| Engine outputs | 72kW + 122Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | 145kW + 300Nm |
| System outputs | 135kW + 300Nm – Essential 156kW + 300Nm – Premium |
| Battery | 10.08kWh LFP – Essential 19kWh LFP – Premium |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drive sort | FWD |
| Weight | 1665kg – Essential 1765kg – Premium |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.9 seconds – Essential 8.5 seconds – Premium |
| Fuel economic system (claimed) | 4.4L/100km – Essential 4.8L/100km – Premium |
| Fuel economic system (as examined) | 6.1L/100km – Premium |
| Electric driving vary (PHEV) | 55km – Essential 105km – Premium |
| Fuel tank capability | 65L |
| CO2 emissions | 52g/km – Essential 34g/km – Premium |
| Emissions customary | Euro 6e-bis |
| Max AC charging charge | 3.3kW – Essential 6.6kW – Premium |
| Max DC charging charge | 26kW – Premium |
Both are centred on a quite reedy 72kW/122Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine with out a turbocharger, with energy going completely to the entrance wheels by way of an digital repeatedly variable transmission (e-CVT).
The lesser variant, which we drove as a Euro-spec Boost, however which is able to doubtless be referred to as an Essential right here, loses just a few key spec battles with the range-topping Comfort (aka, Premium).
Its peak system output is right down to the tune of 21kW, to an general most of 135kW, which leads to a claimed 0-100km/h time that’s 0.4 seconds slower than the Premium’s at 8.9 seconds all-in.
Therefore, we suspect most will go for the 156kW Premium, though keep in mind that automotive is carrying 100kg extra ballast than the Essential, resulting from numerous upgrades to its electrical system (see under).
For what it’s price, the Touring is 40-45kg heavier model-for-model than its equal Saloon, however there’s no assure we’ll even get the property right here within the first place.
The key distinction between the Essential and Premium Seal 6 DM-i automobiles comes with the electrical portion of the drivetrain. A smaller battery measuring about 10.1kWh within the Essential leads to 55km of electrical driving vary.
But the essential level is that it’s slower to cost. Its peak AC top-up charge is exactly half that of the Premium mannequin, whereas it can not replenish its lithium-ion (LFP) ‘Blade’ battery utilizing a DC connection in any respect.
Whereas the Premium, which positive aspects the bigger 19kWh battery pack that reins within the general automobile weight penalty, can go greater than 100km on electrical energy alone, has 6.6kW AC charging capability, and the flexibility to take electrical energy on board at 26kW by way of a DC fast-charger.
How does the BYD Seal 6 drive?
This is a great distance from being BYD’s most interesting dynamic hour.
It’s all properly and good saying what nice worth the automotive is (or may be, given we don’t have that knowledge for our market as but), but when it delivers a driving and possession expertise that’s notably sub-par throughout the board, is it price saving the cash within the first place?
We started in an Essential Saloon on a chilly British morning, and albeit issues began going south for the BYD Seal 6 from kilometre one.
The journey high quality, as an example, is all kinds of fallacious. The suspension is free and slovenly, which leads to the automotive wobbling about over lumps and bumps throughout low-speed city driving.
Soft suspension is beneficial for journey consolation, nevertheless it wants some high quality damping management to make it work and the BYD’s setup is nothing in need of sloppy.
This then transforms right into a type of imprecise, waterbed ‘floating’ really feel when you’re as much as 80km/h and extra on open roads, detaching the driving force from the floor of the tarmac in a means that’s not completely optimistic.
In flip, that doesn’t encourage a lot confidence within the Seal 6’s dealing with, though that’s not a lot of a fear since you’d to begin with should work by way of uninformative and numb steering if you happen to needed to hustle the automotive alongside rapidly on a quieter street, plus additionally a brake pedal that’s weirdly inconsistent.
It both delivers sharp, grabby responses at low speeds, or the feeling of a load of useless journey on the high of the pedal while you’re transferring on at a quicker tempo.
We did throw the BYD into just a few corners with as a lot gusto as we dared muster. What ensued was scrappy dealing with.
Both understeer after which snap-oversteer offered themselves, so though we’ll lower the automotive a tiny little bit of slack and say the circumstances underneath its Hankook tyres (on 17-inch wheels with the Essential) have been slippery and slimy, by the identical token we’re not assured it might remodel into an assured, polished roadholding show in additional beneficial climate both.
Of course, mid-size PHEV automobiles with lower than 200kW don’t actually should be mimicking scorching hatchbacks within the curves – they should be comfy and quiet as a substitute, to effortlessly munch up the kilometres.
As we’ve already stated, the journey high quality of the Seal 6 is definitely missing within the former regard. It doesn’t ever actually settle right down to something greater than satisfactory, and that’s provided that you’re on a very well-surfaced part of freeway with no undulations in its floor.
But it’s the ever-present street roar which bothers us essentially the most. You hear the tyres whooping away nearly from the minute you roll off in your journey, and that’s one thing which might develop into tiresome throughout repeated use.
All this, and we’ve not even obtained onto the powertrain. As lengthy as you don’t use something greater than half-throttle, the Seal 6 DM-i is kind of bearable. It’s additionally higher when utilizing its electrical motor to propel itself, than while you’ve referred to as the 1.5 into motion.
But if you happen to do this, what you get is lots of noise, extremely sluggish responses from the transmission by way of the build-up of acceleration, and the disconcerting feeling that each one 135kW and 300Nm of the powertrain has gone lacking in motion. It’s principally rowdy and sluggish, which is an unwelcome mixture.
And traction can also be a problem, as a result of regardless of the lowly energy outputs, the Seal 6 Essential was both briefly spinning its entrance wheels or flashing its traction management gentle at us far too usually for our liking.
As an addendum to probably provide a glimmer of hope, a fast comparability drive in a Premium Touring did enhance issues – however not by a lot.
We suspect this was due in the primary to 2 issues: one, the temperatures had risen a bit by the point we drove it, so the roads had dried just a little and grip ranges improved; and two, it was on larger 18-inch wheels with larger contact patches, and a set of Continental tyres at that.
However, it didn’t really feel a lot quicker, nonetheless had the numerous rolling refinement and powertrain points, and finally couldn’t save the BYD from a primarily damaging first impression.
What do you get?
Again, we’re ready to see actual specs for our market, however going by the European automobiles, an Essential ought to include a stable stage of normal tools.
2026 BYD Seal 6 DM-i tools highlights:
- 17-inch alloys
- Twin digital screens (8.8-inch cluster and 12.8-inch infotainment)
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
- Dual-zone local weather management
- Vegan leather-based upholstery
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Electrically adjustable entrance seats
- LED headlight and tail-lights
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Adaptive cruise management
- Keyless entry and go
- Six-speaker sound system
- Comprehensive suite of ADAS
Stepping as much as the Premium provides:
- 18-inch alloys
- Larger battery, DC charging
- Power improve to 156kW
- Privacy rear glass
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Memory operate for entrance seats
- Ambient inside lighting
- Auto-dimming inside mirror
- Eight-speaker sound system
- 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
- 50W wi-fi smartphone charging
- Front parking sensors
- 360-degree digicam
Is the BYD Seal 6 protected?
ANCAP hasn’t assessed the automotive as but, although the Seal 6 DM-i has been given high marks by its Euro NCAP affiliate.
Trusted Reviews, Smarter Choices, Better Prices
Where professional automotive opinions meet professional automotive shopping for – CarExpert offers you trusted recommendation, personalised service and actual financial savings in your subsequent new automotive.
| Category | BYD Seal 6 DM-i* |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 92 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 90 per cent |
| Vulnerable street person safety | 84 per cent |
| Safety help | 85 per cent |
*Euro NCAP scoring
As we stated above, even the base-grade automotive comes with each obtainable ADAS merchandise fitted as customary – there aren’t any security ‘options’ with the BYD, which is spectacular.
How a lot does the BYD Seal 6 price to run?
The good thing about the DM-i system is that the BYD Seal 6 has some mammoth vary claims to its title.
Not the electric-driving numbers, that are 55km for the Essential and 105km for the Premium, however the mixed distance it could journey on its gas and electrical reserves collectively.
A 65L gas tank and BYD’s intelligent management methods that ration out the electrical energy over an entire journey see the Chinese agency declare the Saloon Essential can drive for as much as 1505km at a time, whereas the marginally heavier Premium nonetheless manages 1455km.
All variations of the Touring are pegged to a 1350km vary mixed. We noticed an inexpensive 6.1L/100km from the Premium Touring whereas on take a look at, however keep in mind that included lots of economy-boosting, regular freeway cruising speeds.
BYD’s customary guarantee here’s a aggressive six years or 150,000km, whichever comes sooner, though its roadside help is obtainable on a service-activated foundation. There’s 12 months of complimentary cowl from the supply date.
CarExpert’s Take on the BYD Seal 6
We’ve pushed fairly a BYDs in recent times – and whereas some are extremely good, the Seal 6 DM-i isn’t certainly one of them.
Sure, it’s prone to be super-cheap and generously geared up, and it’s pretty spacious inside, in addition to innocuous to have a look at and blessed with mighty vary claims resulting from its PHEV powertrain.
But the best way it drives feels severely compromised to us – like a breakthrough automotive of 15 or 20 years in the past, not one thing that’s as much as 2025 requirements, as a result of it lacks refinement and luxury, and the responses of its main controls are obscure.
There are significantly better plug-in hybrids to decide on on the market than the Seal 6 DM-i – even when they’re costlier to buy.
Click the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Explore the BYD Seal showroom
Source link
#BYD #Seal #DMi #evaluate #Quick #drive
