Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

Electric/hybrid, Jaecoo, Motoring

SUV a rising star of UK market

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JAECOO 7 Luxury PHEV

By Bill McCarthy

The rapid breakthrough of Chinese brands in the UK is gathering pace, with OMODA and JAECOO emerging as major players. In 2025, the joint brands sold 48,087 new vehicles, capturing a significant 2.38% of the total UK market.

This surge was driven largely by the JAECOO 7, with 26,048 registrations, making it the fourth most popular retail car in the UK. A huge 70% of these registrations were for the plug-in hybrid variant tested here.

It’s easy to see the appeal. The JAECOO 7 has a rugged road presence, with the look of both a Range Rover and the ‘waterfall’ grille reminiscent of a Jeep. It looks like a premium brand but sells for significantly less. Prices start at just over £30,000.

There are two trims – Deluxe and the Luxury version driven here – and two powertrains: a 1.6-litre petrol with four-wheel drive available, or this front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre engine.

Design and Styling
The muscular profile is complemented by more subtle aerodynamic curves, and features split LED headlights with a checkerboard pattern. Standard equipment includes a partially opening panoramic sunroof, integrated roof rails and smart 19-inch alloy wheels. The rear also features a full-width LED light bar and roof spoiler.

Interior and Technology
Like others, the car has no starter button or switch and becomes active via sensors when the driver sits down. I’m not really a fan, because you don’t feel in full control.

However, the cabin is light and airy with plenty of head and legroom for all occupants, while the front two leather seats are both heated and powered, and supportive. Dominant is the 14.8-inch central screen on this model. The screens grow ever more complex and can be distracting. So much so that from this year, safety body Euro NCAP requires new vehicles to have physical buttons for key functions to achieve a maximum five-star safety rating.

That aside, the screen controls major functions like smartphone connectivity, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, infotainment, navigation and safety functions. It is complemented by a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster, as well as a head-up display on this model. Other key controls are logically placed (if you don’t mind the gear selector where the wiper stalk would normally be), and robust.

The list of standard kit is comprehensive even on the base model with privacy glass, electrically heated folding mirrors, synthetic leather, dual-zone climate control, and multi-colour ambient lighting. This model adds the head-up display, a premium Sony 8-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an air purification system, a refrigerated centre cubby, and tinted rear windows.

Performance
The powertrain is a combined 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor delivering 204bhp and claimed WLTP economy of up to 403mpg. This is only realistic by keeping the battery permanently topped up; a figure of around 50mpg seems nearer the mark, with emissions at 23g/km. Importantly, it offers up to 56 miles of pure electric range for daily commuting, while avoiding many congestion charges.

On the Road
Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60mph in 8.6 seconds, although when the accelerator is floored, there is the occasional wheelspin from the front driven wheels. This became problematic on a loose gravel surface, where I required a little assistance to get free.

Firm suspension delivers a decent enough ride but tends to feel unsettled over rougher surfaces, even on some motorway stretches – where otherwise it’s a comfortable cruiser. However, it still handles well, despite the inevitable SUV lean on some bends. The steering feels well weighted and direct with enough feedback to keep the driver honest.

Practicality
Storage and space are typical for the segment, though this plug-in hybrid model has a 500-litre boot expanding to 1,265 litres with the seats folded and accessed via a powered tailgate.

Safety and Driver Assistance
A comprehensive list includes eight airbags and this model also features autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane keep assist, driver monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert. Ownership peace of mind is boosted by a 7-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and an 8-year battery warranty.

Verdict
The JAECOO 7 keeps things simple: one price, no add-ons, and plenty of standard equipment. Its plush interior and generous features make it a strong value-for-money rival to European brands. Established competitors still have the edge of decades of proven reliability, and the newcomer’s long-term durability is unknown – but it’s an impressive start.

Factfile

Model: Jaecoo 7 Luxury PHEV

Price: £35,165

Mechanical:  204 PS,1.5-litre turbo petrol and electric motor, driving the front wheels. via a auto transmission

Max speed: 112 mph

0 to 62mph: 8.5 sec

Combined mpg: 403 (WLTP claimed); 45-50 (estimated)

Insurance group: 32

CO2 emissions: 23 g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles

BYD, Electric/hybrid, Motoring

Sealion a PHEV for the price of a petrol SUV

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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

Having overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest EV maker, Chinese giant BYD 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.

Sleek profile

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.