Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

Electric/hybrid, Motoring, SUV, Volkswagen

Tayron a premium plug-in hybrid bridge to EVs

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Volkswagen Tayron R-Line eHybrid

By Bill McCarthy

Volkswagen’s slick Tayron, an evolution of the veteran Tiguan, is the kind of vehicle that serves as a bridge for drivers not yet ready to commit to a full EV.

This spacious plug-in hybrid boasts a standout interior. While I use the term sparingly, ‘ergonomic’ is apt here. The cabin design is genuinely impressive, featuring a curved dashboard and seats engineered for exceptional comfort.
In automotive design, ergonomics is the science of tailoring a vehicle’s interior to the human form, minimising driver strain and fatigue while maximising comfort, safety, and overall efficiency. It works here.

It is already proving popular and by the end of 2025 had sold just short of 4,000 models in the UK in nine months.

Design and styling

Measuring almost 4.8 metres long, the Tayron features up to seven seats, but it is available as a five-seater only in this plug-in version.
The smart looks are further enhanced with this range-topping R-Line finish, which adds sharp, body-coloured bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels, and signature LED lighting front and rear, including illuminated Volkswagen badges. Also included is a tilting, sliding panoramic roof.

The cabin has a premium feel, and this model does, after all, carry a £57k price tag, above the standard £50,210, with all the optional bells and whistles.
It features specialised R-Line microfibre upholstery with blue piping, which feels high-end and hard-wearing. Head and legroom are excellent, and the whole cabin feels spacious, air and well engineered.
The standard 12.9-inch infotainment display controls major functions like infotainment, phone and app connectivity, and navigation.
It is further enhanced on this test model with the £1,160 Infotainment Package Plus, adding a larger 15-inch screen and a head-up display. 

Interior and technology

The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro is standard and delivers real time information to the driver.
An extensive list of driver aids and electronic features includes an automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror, electronic air conditioning, and electrically heated, adjustable, and foldable door mirrors with puddle lighting. Additional lighting features include dynamic cornering lights and coming/leaving home functions.

Performance

Power is via a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor and a 19.7 kWh battery. The system deliver272 PS and 400 Nm of torque through a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission.
This setup offers practical flexibility. On battery power alone, it can cover a claimed 60-70 miles (70 miles WLTP), sufficient for most daily commutes. When needed, both systems work together for responsive acceleration. However, there was some evidence of wheelspin, even when not flooring the accelerator. 

The official WLTP fuel economy is 165.0 mpg – a nominal figure dependent on regular charging – but it indicates the potential for low running costs if the battery is kept charged

On the road

The Tayron’s advanced suspension setup and chassis dynamics deliver a pleasing driving experience. The petrol/electric combination offers plenty of power with swift acceleration to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds. While not the quickest, (it’s still quick), its handling more than compensates.
It potters along happily on electric power in the city, but open it up on faster roads and the optional Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC Pro) and Vehicle Dynamics Manager keep the vehicle stable and balanced even on the tightest bends, with minimal body roll for a large SUV.
On the motorway, it’s a relaxed cruiser, with wind, road, and engine noise suppressed – which is the least you would expect from a car with a price tag of just over £57k.

Practicality

As a five-seater in a potentially seven-seat body, storage areas are huge. The boot offers a substantial 525 litres with the seats up. These can be reclined or folded completely flat, opening up to 1,610 litres.
It supports AC charging at up to 11 kW (a full charge in 2h 30m) and DC rapid charging at 40 kW (5-80% in 26 minutes).

Safety and driver assistance

Comprehensive safety features include full airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction braking assist, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and available 360-degree parking camera.

Verdict

The Tayron R-Line eHybrid combines efficient electric driving for daily use with a petrol engine for longer trips, all within a high-quality, tech-rich package. A decent driving experience, despite the wheelspin, it is practical and economical.

Factfile:

  • Volkswagen Tayron R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 PS
  • Price (as tested): £57,025
  • Powertrain: 1.5-litre turbo petrol + electric motor, 272 PS, 400 Nm, 6-spd DSG auto, FWD
  • 0-62 mph: 7.3 seconds
  • Top Speed: 134 mph
  • Electric Range (WLTP): 70 miles
  • el Economy (WLTP): 165.0 mpg
  • CO2 Emissions: 39 g/km
  • BiK Rating: 7%
  • Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles
BYD, Electric/hybrid, Motoring

Is this BYD an SUV market game changer?

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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

With the turn of the year comes a fresh challenge from Chinese giant BYD, which has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest EV manufacturer and says it is raising the stakes yet again. Originally a tech company BYD (Build Your Dreams) was founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer and has expanded its ‘blade’ battery technology into automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and rail transit. 

Its latest vehicle, the SEALION 5 DM-i has been launched with a price tag of under £30,000 on the road, and has thrown down the gauntlet in the mid-size SUV market.

Design and styling

At just under five metres long, both versions – Comfort and Design – feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system as standard, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined maximum output of 215bhp.

Like its siblings, this model has a striking profile with the signature so-called “Dragon Face” design, featuring full-LED headlights and slim daytime-running lights. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar and sharply angled tail-lights, combined with an integrated spoiler, enhance the sporty look. The car is equipped with striking 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels.

Interior and technology

The interior has an upmarket feel with vegan leather upholstery, and powered and heated front seats. Head and legroom are good, and the cabin is spacious enough to easily accommodate a family of five in comfort. Central is the stylish centre console that houses the gearshift and other controls, and offers generous storage space underneath.

This is supplemented by a 12.8-inch rotating multi-touch touchscreen and complemented by a clear 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument cluster offering the driver real-time information.

The rotating touchscreen controls infotainment, navigation and connectivity via built-in 4G and BYD cloud services. Intelligent voice control, activated by saying “Hi, BYD,” offers extra safety while driving. An added bonus is its Vehicle-to-Load function, which lets you use the car as a giant power bank for everything from camping to powering a coffee maker.

Practicality


A large boot provides a substantial 463-litre capacity, easily accommodating luggage. The 40:60-split folding rear seats can expand this space to a generous 1,410 litres, featuring a flat load floor for easy loading of bulky items.

Spec levels and value


The entry-level Comfort model starts at £29,995, undercutting most rivals while featuring plenty of standard kit. This includes smartphone integration, a rear-view camera, automatic LED lights, and power-folding heated mirrors. It feels like a top-spec car.

However, the £32,995 Design trim adds puddle lights, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and wireless charging. It hits the sweet spot for those who love their bells and whistles.

This SUV offers the growing necessity of electric power and the readiness of a petrol car, all in one powertrain. It not only undercuts rival petrol SUVs on price but also comes better equipped and should lower running costs.

Powertrain and performance


Power is drawn from a choice of two battery packs. The Comfort model has a 12.96 kWh unit for up to 38 miles of electric-only driving. The Design trim features a larger 18.3 kWh battery, extending the electric range to over 53 miles and contributing to a WLTP-rated fuel economy of 134.5 mpg and combined CO2 emissions of 48g/km. It is heavier, and as a result, acceleration to 60 mph is over eight seconds.

BYD says that with a full charge and tank, both versions offer a total range of up to 631 miles.

The driving experience is smooth, with the power unit delivering plenty of pace. It becomes notably more raucous when flooring the accelerator, but never uncomfortably so. It handles well, as an extended drive from the M54 in Shropshire into the rolling hills and twisting roads of mid-Wales demonstrated.

Its stability and agility handled both sweeping and tight curves with aplomb, always feeling well-planted. The steering also offered plenty of feedback, allowing you to push it while understanding the limits.

Safety


Comprehensive measures include adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping and departure functions, blind spot and collision warnings, speed limit control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. For occupant safety, it comes with seven airbags

Verdict


The SEALION 5 delivers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability. Its firm yet comfortable ride makes it easy to live with, and it is ideal for families who want one sensible, practical vehicle – without committing fully to an EV.