I have been driving the BYD Seal 6 DM-i, and it quietly demonstrates how far plug-in hybrid technology has come. Available as a saloon or the Touring estate, it brings BYD’s Super Hybrid DM-i system to a family car format. The Touring version I drove shares everything except rear space with the saloon, and the overall shape is handsome and well proportioned. Inside, quality and finish are excellent, with neat lighting touches and solid materials that feel genuinely premium at a mainstream price.
BYD’s DM-i setup gives an EV-like driving experience most of the time, with a 1.5-litre petrol engine stepping in seamlessly when required. The result is a smooth, efficient plug-in hybrid claiming up to 900 miles of range between refuelling stops. I collected the car from BYD’s HQ in Uxbridge, West London, then drove it to Buckinghamshire on roads I know well, including the M40 and M25. I parked in a local shopping centre, tried the back seats, and checked the tech and audio system.
The Super Hybrid DM system uses BYD’s Blade Battery and a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a front-mounted electric motor. There are two versions: Boost with a 10kWh battery and Comfort with a 19kWh battery. Comfort models offer up to 65 miles of pure-electric driving in the saloon and 62 in the Touring, so most daily commutes can be covered without petrol. On a full tank and charge, the Seal 6 DM-i can go up to 935 miles – from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back to Glasgow. Claimed fuel economy is up to 188 mpg, and the system intelligently chooses between pure EV, series, or parallel hybrid modes.
Charging is quick: Comfort versions support 26 kW DC fast charging, taking 23 minutes from 30 to 80 per cent, or around three hours on a 6.6 kW AC wall box. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability at 3.3 kW allows running gadgets or camping equipment from the car. On the move, the powertrain is exceptionally smooth, with barely noticeable transitions between electric and petrol power. Acceleration is brisk – 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds for the Comfort model – with strong linear surge from the electric motor’s instant torque.
Ride quality is firm around town but not harsh, giving a planted, sporty feel. At higher speeds, steering weights up nicely, and multi-link rear suspension keeps it neat through corners. Noise levels are generally low, though the Touring’s tyres generated some hum on coarse motorway surfaces. For around £35,000, it feels remarkably refined. Inside, the fixed display anchors a beautifully proportioned dashboard with cloth inserts that give a warm, upmarket feel. The ocean-wave design theme flows from doors to fascia, though panel fit between door and dash could be improved.
