Price: NIS 175,000
Competitors: Chery Arrizo 8, Hyundai Elantra, Skoda Octavia
We liked: Efficiency, features, performance, warranty
We didn’t like: Rear seat, comfort and handling
Score: 8/10
Recently automotive analyst Felipe Munoz published a complete ranking of the world’s best-selling cars. At the top stood the hybrid Toyota RAV4, which narrowly edged out the electric Tesla Model Y in a photo finish: 1.187 million vs. 1.185 million units. But no less interesting was the car that took tenth place – the first time a vehicle from a Chinese manufacturer made it that high: the BYD Qin, or Seal 5 as it is called in export markets.
It is also the first time a car sold mainly as a plug-in has entered the global top ten, reflecting the growing demand for hybrid vehicles with large batteries that allow about 100 km of electric driving – effectively enabling mostly electric mileage. An EV without range anxiety, although not entirely emission-free at the tailpipe.
The arrival of the Seal 5 in Israel was announced back in December, and now it’s finally here – ahead of other European markets. Despite the name, it is not related to the Seal already sold here for over a year as a Tesla Model 3 rival. This is a relatively large family sedan, not far in size from executive cars, with a length of 4.78 meters, width of 1.84, height of 1.515, and a wheelbase of 2.72 meters.
The Seal will aim to ride the rising demand in Israel for plug-in models – a result of the shortage of public charging stations for full EVs, the range anxiety associated with electric driving, and the ongoing efforts of the Israeli government to undermine the incentives it gave to 100% electric cars, despite their environmental contribution and the global push to reduce oil dependence. The state began cutting back benefits the moment it became clear that Israelis were indeed buying such cars, thereby “daring” to challenge the sacred cow of new vehicle and fuel tax revenues.
Plug-in models theoretically offer electric driving for most trips, a relatively low purchase tax due to low emissions, and most importantly, a monthly company car benefit value of NIS 1,090 – much closer to the full EV benefit (NIS 1,310) than to that of a regular hybrid (NIS 540).
Thus, the Seal 5 will compete with the Chery Arrizo 8 – until now the only plug-in family sedan on the market – the classic hybrid Hyundai Elantra, and the Skoda Octavia, which relies on a gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology.
Design: A conventional sedan, with the test car’s gray paint fairly reflecting its overall appearance. A classic BYD front end, and the rest is pleasant to the eye but leaves no lasting impression.
Cabin: The driver’s environment is borrowed from other familiar BYD models, and is above the Chinese average in quality. There’s a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen and a smaller digital instrument cluster. The main screen includes climate control shortcuts, and temperature and fan speed can be adjusted with a three-finger swipe, just like in the small Dolphin Surf.
That said, the driver’s seat lacks sufficient support, though it is electrically adjustable. The rear seat is roomy for two passengers but less so for a third. Rear passengers get an A/C vent and two USB ports, in addition to the two in front, but headroom is limited, complicating the installation of a child seat and the fastening of a toddler.
Trunk: Unlike other Chinese cars, the volume is generous at 508 liters, though the opening is somewhat narrow, and there’s no spare tire underneath.
Features: 12.8-inch multimedia screen, 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery, the ability to power electrical devices from the car’s battery, NFC card vehicle access, and remote operation via an app including remote A/C activation.
Safety: Autonomous emergency braking in both forward and reverse, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and driver distraction alert.
Engine and Performance: BYD declares a combined output of 213 horsepower from the gasoline and electric motors. The management system does its best to ensure the vehicle drives in electric or hybrid mode at all times, switching from electric to hybrid once battery charge drops to 25%.
Performance is very good – on the level of a fully electric vehicle rather than a typical hybrid – allowing most driving to be done in Eco mode to maximize efficiency. Overtaking is no problem, and you’ll be first off the line at traffic lights.
Electric Power and Charging: With an 18.3 kWh battery, we weren’t able to reach the promised 100 km of electric range. On a route consisting mostly of calm highway cruising at around 100 km/h, along with about 20% urban driving, we achieved 80 km. Driving exclusively in city or suburban conditions might allow for the manufacturer’s claimed range.
Charging from a standard outlet is possible at a rate of 6.6 kW. Charging from 25% to 100% takes less than three hours. When driving with a depleted battery, we achieved 15 km per liter. In hybrid mode, with a charged battery and letting the system manage power distribution, we achieved between 30 to 40 km per liter.
Comfort and Handling: Despite the long wheelbase, urban ride comfort isn’t great. On the highway, small potholes are mostly unnoticeable, but the body exhibits excessive wave-like motions. The soft suspension tuning suggests a preference for slower cornering – possibly a feature, not a bug. It may have been worth upgrading the unknown GITI tires to something better.
Bottom Line: The Seal 5 isn’t the kind of car teenagers hang posters of on their bedroom walls. But it’s one that CFOs will appreciate – and so will leasing drivers who care about cost. Those who can charge it daily, at home or at work, will save money on fuel and enjoy a well-equipped and zippy family car. It’s not the most comfortable, grippy, or spacious – but at the price of a typical family sedan, it could save hundreds of shekels each month and help fight the rising cost of living.
BYD Seal 5 | Specifications
Powertrain: 1,498 cc gasoline engine + electric motor
Combined output: 213 hp, 30 kgm torque
Transmission: Automatic, direct drive
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Electric:
- Battery capacity (kWh): 18.3
- Charging speed (AC): 6.6
Performance:
- 0–100 km/h (sec): 7.5
- Top speed (km/h): 180
- Official electric range (km): 100
- Tested electric range (km): 80
- Official fuel consumption (km/l): 59
- Tested fuel consumption (km/l): 29
Dimensions:
- Length (m): 4.78
- Width (m): 1.84
- Height (m): 1.515
- Wheelbase (m): 2.72
- Trunk volume (liters): 508
- Weight (kg): 1,701
Safety:
- Euro NCAP crash test rating: Not yet tested
- Active safety systems: Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, driver distraction alert
Warranty:
- 6 years or 150,000 km for the car
- 8 years or 200,000 km for the battery