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By Jonathan Crouch

BYD widens its PHEV model portfolio with this Seal 6 DM-i. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 63

With the Seal 6 DM-i, BYD offers its growing PHEV customer base a wider choice of body shapes, with both saloon and Touring estate options. In terms of value for a mid-sized Plug-in Hybrid of this sort, this model re-sets the segment standard. And if you're shopping in this segment and don't necessarily want an SUV, it's definitely worth a long, hard look.

Backgroundword count: 160

BYD, the biggest EV brand in the world, has discovered something quite interesting: people really like its combustion models. There weren't any of those in Europe until the brand launched its Seal U DM-i SUV Plug-in Hybrid in 2023. But that car has gone on to out-sell all the company's full-electric models in the UK, recording 10,000 sales in its first 10 months on sale. The no-brainer next step was to make that same PHEV drivetrain available in other body shapes - which is what has created the Seal 6 DM-i model we look at here. If, like us, you've had a look at BYD's Seal EV saloon, quite liked it but wished that it could be had as something other than an EV, then the Seal 6 DMi is your car because that's what served up here. But with the added bonus that as well as a saloon body style, there's also an estate. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 264

If you're fed up with PHEVs that blow all your battery energy in one hit at the start of your drive, then you'll like the Seal 6 because it's not configured like that. Instead, the powertrain rations out its energy slowly, so it'll feel like the battery is taking you further than it actually is. Exactly how much further will depend on which of the two versions of this PHEV powertrain you choose. In both cases, it's BYD's usual 'Super Hybrid' system, as used by the Seal U DM-i SUV; which blends a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors. Two flavours of this powertrain are available, both slightly differently tuned from what you'll find in the Seal U DM-i SUV. The rather misleadingly-named entry-level 'Boost' version has up to 181bhp, whether it's operating as a full-EV or a Hybrid; and its PHEV system uses a 10kWh battery offering an EV range of 31 miles. Which is all a bit 'five years ago' by PHEV range standards, so you'll properly want one of the longer-range 'Comfort'-spec models. With those, the much bigger 19kWh battery's extra 100kg of weight is compensated for by an increase in powertrain output to 209bhp. Range is 65 miles for the saloon and 62 miles for the estate. 0-62mph takes 8.5s. As with the SUV version of this car, expect quiet cruising, but unremarkable drive dynamics and a pretty firm ride. Perhaps more significant than all of these though are the rather intrusive ADAS features. With regard to the those, we'd counsel you to try before you buy.

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