BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring

The Seal 6 DM-i Touring is the estate version of BYD's plug-in hybrid saloon, and the extra length goes into carrying things. Boot space is up to 675 litres, growing to almost 1,535 litres with the seats folded. BYD says the boot takes strollers, full-size suitcases and camping gear.

Load-carrying features

Sturdy roof rails accommodate mountain bikes, surfboards or rooftop cargo boxes, and a dedicated rear wiper keeps the view clear in bad weather. The rear cargo area has a 12V outlet, luggage hooks, interior lighting and quick-release seat fold handles for organising loads and charging devices. The electric tailgate has one-touch control, an adjustable opening height and sensors for hands-free opening.

Hybrid range

Super Hybrid with DM technology gives a 0 to 62 mph time of 8.5 seconds. BYD quotes up to 839 miles of combined range with fuel consumption of 58.9 mpg (4.8 L/100 km), and electric-only driving for up to 100 km (about 62 miles). Fast DC charging is mentioned alongside a plug-in option for flexibility, so owners can refill the battery quickly on the road or plug in on their own terms.

Cabin and styling

The front keeps the saloon's wave-style grille, Double-L headlights and 18 inch alloy wheels. Inside are a sculpted wraparound dashboard, a 15.6 inch floating touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof. Seats have one-piece headrests, power adjustment, memory, ventilation and heating, and the rear cabin is described as spacious. Heated steering is available on higher trims.

Safety

The driving-assistance suite lists parking sensors, parking cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, driver fatigue management and front and rear cross traffic alert. A safety rating is not yet recorded for the car.

Key facts

• Powertrain: plug-in hybrid estate, BYD Super DM
• Electric-only driving: up to 100 km (about 62 miles)
• Combined range: up to 839 miles, 58.9 mpg
• Boot: up to 675 litres, almost 1,535 litres with the seats folded
• 0 to 62 mph: 8.5 seconds