In this BYD Seal 6 review, Caroline tests BYD’s new plug-in hybrid saloon for Ireland to see if its long electric range and low running costs make it a genuine alternative to traditional hybrids, EVs and even diesel.

BYD Seal 6 Review Overview

The BYD Seal 6 is the Chinese car brand’s new sleek saloon, also available as a practical estate called the Seal 6 Touring. It’s a plug-in hybrid using BYD’s ‘Super Hybrid’ technology, as seen in models such as the Seal U and the Sealion 5. It’s aimed at Irish car buyers, private and business, who want the style and space of a compact saloon car, great fuel economy and the back-up of a 1.5-litre petrol engine for longer motorway drives. Prices start from €37,490. It’s spacious and efficient, though comfort and refinement could be better.

The BYD Seal 6 is a stylish and efficient hybrid saloon
The BYD Seal 6 is a stylish and efficient hybrid saloon

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Seal 6’s strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

  • Excellent EV range
  • Spacious cabin
  • Very efficient hybrid system

Cons

  • Firm ride
  • Some road noise
  • Saloon boot opening less practical

Key facts

Model tested: BYD Seal 6 Saloon Comfort & optional paint

Price: €42,090

Engine: 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol

Power: 212hp

Battery: 19kWh

EV range: 105km

Fuel economy: 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres

Motor tax: €140

The BYD Seal 6 is available from an eye-catching €37,490
The BYD Seal 6 is available from an eye-catching €37,490 in Ireland

Which BYD Seal 6 trim should you buy?

The BYD Seal 6 is a good-looking saloon with the brand’s now characteristic sleek styling featuring thin, LED headlamps and elegant full-width lighting at the rear. Irish buyers may have fallen out of love with the saloon in recent years with the rise in SUVs, but the Seal 6 can definitely turn heads. There are just four colours to choose from, with the standard colour being white.

There are two trim lines for Ireland: Boost and Comfort. They differ aesthetically in terms of the wheel size. Boost versions get 17-inch alloy wheels, while Comfort rides on 18-inch and adds rear privacy glass.

They also differ in power and battery size. Boost models use a 10kWh battery with an EV range up to 55 kilometres. Comfort models use a larger 19kWh battery with up to a considerable 105 kilometres of EV range. This will suit buyers who can charge regularly, whether at home or work, and want to make use of driving electric.

Entry-level Boost trim includes features such as reversing camera, power adjustment for the front seats, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor and other safety features. However, I think Comfort versions are more desirable, adding a panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charging, heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats – perfect for chilly mornings!

The interior of the BYD Seal 6 is well-equipped with plenty of technology onboard
The interior of the BYD Seal 6 is well-equipped with plenty of technology onboard

What’s it like to drive in Ireland? 

The Seal 6 is front wheel drive and uses BYD’s Super Hybrid with DM (Dual Mode) technology. It’s designed to deliver the refinement and response of an electric car, but with the flexibility of BYD’s self-developed, petrol-electric hybrid system using a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Boost versions offer 184hp, while Design versions have 212hp for a 0-100km/h time in a sprightly 8.5 seconds.

BYD has also included drive modes (eco, normal, sport and snow), easy to adjust from a dial on the centre console.

On the road, the Seal 6 delivers close to that EV-like driving experience with little engine noise and a smooth, responsive drive. Handling is solid, with enough grip and steering feel to confidently take on Irish roads, though a Honda Civic is more fun to drive.

Where it falls down, is in overall comfort and refinement. The suspension has a tendency to feel harsh over bumps in the road surface, particularly noticeable on country roads, meaning a Skoda Superb is a better cruiser overall. There is also a fair amount of road noise that takes away from the otherwise refined driving experience.

The Seal 6 Saloon handles fine but comfort and refinement on Irish roads could be better
The Seal 6 Saloon handles fine but comfort and refinement on Irish roads could be better

What is the real fuel economy and EV range of the BYD Seal 6?

This is where the Seal 6 really shines! It has a large fuel tank and combined with a full battery, there’s well over a 1000 kilometre range possible. Fuel consumption is consistently low without trying too hard, or even having to be diligent about charging the battery. Over a week of driving, I saw fuel consumption as low as 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Who needs diesel?

Charging the plug-in hybrid

BYD quotes a 15-100% charge time in 3 hours for the Boost (3.3kW AC) and 2.7 hours for the Comfort (6.6kW AC). The Comfort can also accept DC charging up to 26kW for a 30-80% charge in as little as 23 minutes.

BYD Seal 6 Interior & Practicality 

Inside the Seal 6 feels well-appointed with a bit of style. That’s thanks to the use of different materials, colour schemes and comfy full synthetic leather seats. Two colour schemes are available: blue and black, and black and grey.

Even the base Seal 6 gets the brand’s signature 12.8-inch infotainment display, though this is upgraded to 15.6-inch in the Comfort model tested here. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are a few shortcuts that help access features quickly as well as voice control. BYD has also included a number of physical buttons on the centre console that boost the user-friendliness of the design. Comfort models also get a useful 360-degree camera.

Rear seat passengers can enjoy plenty of legroom to stretch out. There are other comfort features like vents and an armrest.

When it comes to the boot, the Seal 6 Saloon has 491 litres of space, which is actually a bit bigger than the BYD Seal. It’s good in volume but being a saloon, the space is awkward to access fully because of the narrow opening. Buyers may find the Seal 6 Touring more practical for its estate-style boot and wide opening, though the volume is not much more (500 litres). The rear seats can also split fold 60:40 for carrying longer items.

All versions of the Seal 6 have a useful vehicle-to-load feature that allows you to power devices using a special adaptor for the charge port.

The BYD Seal 6 has 491 litres of space but the saloon-style boot makes it harder to access
The BYD Seal 6 has 491 litres of space but the saloon-style boot makes it harder to access

How many Isofix points does it have?

Three. They are positioned on the two outer seats and the front passenger seat.

BYD Seal 6 Pricing for Ireland

  • BYD Seal 6 Saloon Boost: €37,490/ €38,610 with optional paint
  • BYD Seal 6 Saloon Comfort: €40,990/ €42,090 with optional paint

Verdict: BYD Seal 6 Saloon

The BYD Seal 6 is a compelling addition to the BYD range with its stylish saloon design, spacious cabin and excellent fuel economy that makes it a genuine alternative to a diesel for long distance driving. The ride can feel overly firm on rough Irish roads, while road noise detracts from the otherwise refined hybrid experience. Vehicles like the Skoda Superb or Honda Civic perform better in this regard, making them more relaxing cars overall. The saloon-style boot opening is also less practical than a fastback, estate or SUV. Yet there’s a lot to like about the Seal 6, particularly for buyers who want a fuel-efficient hybrid with smooth EV-like driving experience without going full electric. And a good-looking alternative to an SUV.

BYD Seal 6 Video Review


___________

Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year