electric | On the road

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.

MG4 XPower

By Bill McCarthy

The name MG conjures up many images. And in its centenary in 2023, the iconic and desirable sports cars took on the best in the world.

Once a prestigious British marque, it has moved through to its association and then demise with MG Rover, its rebirth under Chinese owners SAIC as a budget brand and now again producing quality cars and a model to take on the world.

The fastest growing brand and hoovering up various awards, its latest EV, the MG4 is an excellent electric car, but the X Power version is just bonkers.

It has performance that puts in the same territory as supercars like Porsche with features like launch control, track mode display and four-wheel drive. MG says is the first of the next generation of high-performance hatchbacks – and let’s not forget that seven-year warranty, providing extra peace of mind.

Just imagine, an electric car, with electrifying performance and all for under £37k.

Already a slick and stylish vehicle with its its sharp angular profile, featuring a twin aero rear spoiler, this sportier version adds 18 inch alloy wheels, orange ‘XPOWER’ brake callipers and polished trim accents.

A new innovation is Dynamic Cornering Control System which features a locking electronic differential for maximum traction and outstanding composure in a wide range of driving condition

It looks, sporty, in an understated way, but delivers enormous grunt, from the huge 435PS and 600 Nm of torque available to rocket the car to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.

The all-wheel drive system enhances traction, stability, and safety with active braking on the inside wheels, while launch control, usually found on the likes of Porsche, is supposed to deliver enhanced performance.

However, the car is quick enough without the counter intuitive feeling of revving the car while holding the brakes a the same time before releasing the brake for launch.

The floating 10.25″ colour touchscreen also displays the track mode data, which includes vehicle performance analysis, power distribution, speed/time, G-Force, steering angle, and throttle.

The powerful brakes also bring the car to halt from 62 in just 33.9 metres, give the game away.

The interior is just as impressive, with a premium feel and soft-touch finish that belies its low price tag. The black fabric upholstery adds to the premium feel. There is decent headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers.

The touchscreen is the dominant feature of the minimalist layout. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. There is also a configurable seven-inch driver display that provides real-time information.

The rotary gear selector sits on a floating central console, which also houses a wireless charging pad. The boot space is decent with 363 litres available, and it increases to a decent 1,177 litres with the split rear seats folded down.

Like all MGs it is packed with standard equipment, including 360 degree parking camera, sat nav, heated front seats and steering wheel and mobile phone Bluetooth key.

The car not only looks good but also drives well. It’s well balanced through the centrally placed, slim battery and all-wheel drive provides exceptional handling, making it feel safe and secure even on twisting country lanes at higher speeds.

The 64kWh battery is also capable of recharging at up to 135kW, meaning a charge time of only 35 minutes from 10 per cent-80 per cent using a 150kW DC rapid charger.

Safety is a key feature and the car has been awarded the full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings and offers a host of safety features including a range of airbags and stability control, with MG Pilot advanced driver assistance as standard on all models.

Factfile

MG4 EV X power
Price: £36,495
Mechanical: 435PS Twin electric motor all wheels rear wheels via single speed transmission
Max speed: 100mph
0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
Range: 281 miles
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
BiK rating: 2%
Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles

On the road

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Is this BYD an SUV market game changer?