Since the beginning of the year, almost 10,000 Jacco 7 units have been delivered in Israel, compared to 1,500 Chery Arrizo 8s. This shows that Israelis’ preference for crossovers remains even when it comes to plug-in cars, and that this technology, which struggled to gain traction until the Chinese arrived, has finally found its audience here.
In fact, the market share of plug-in hybrid vehicles has already surpassed 10% this year, more than twice what it was not long ago when the Kia Niro and MG EHS dominated this segment.
Unlike Jacco, which is already competing against a growing number of Chinese models, the sedan segment currently has only two competitors with this technology. The Arrizo is one, and the BYD Seal 5 is the other.
The family car market survives today mainly thanks to company car recipients, who drive about 80% of Arrizo cars sold in Israel. The Seal 5 has only started deliveries this month, but it is likely to show a similar pattern. Company car recipients are drawn to plug-ins due to a tax benefit of 1,090 NIS per month, valid only until the end of the year, and expected to be significantly reduced or canceled in 2025.
Which one is preferable, and do they make sense without this benefit?
Design: Both are large cars, very close in dimensions to executive cars from a few years ago. The Arrizo stands out more, with chrome accents and a luxury-oriented design, while the solid Seal is slightly larger—8 cm longer (4.78 m), 0.5 cm wider (1.837 m), and 2.5 cm taller (1.515 m).
Interior: Inside, the Chery feels more advanced and prestigious, from the pop-up door handles when unlocking, light-colored upholstery in the test vehicle, dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia, and electric seat control switches on the doors in Mercedes style. Chery also has a row of physical climate control buttons, eliminating the need to navigate through screens.
BYD also has advantages: A single, larger 12.8-inch central screen alongside a smaller 8.8-inch instrument cluster, higher-quality materials, and, most importantly, superior ergonomics. Screen operation is more intuitive than Chery’s, switching to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is simpler, and the seats are better. There are fewer physical buttons, but a three-finger swipe on the screen adjusts climate power or temperature without taking eyes off the road.
A 5 cm longer wheelbase (2.77 m) gives the Chery slightly better rear legroom, but the seat is lower, making it less comfortable for adults. Both have rear AC vents and USB ports: Two in the BYD, one in the Chery.
Trunk: Both have classic sedan trunks, not five-door hatchbacks like the Octavia, meaning small trunk openings make loading harder. The Seal 5 has a larger trunk (508 liters), Chery smaller (402 liters), and neither has a spare wheel.
Equipment: The tested Arrizo 8 came in the top-level “Noble” trim (182,000 NIS) with a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a Sony 12-speaker audio system. However, most Arrizos sold and those offered as company cars are in the base “Comfort” trim (176,000 NIS), lacking these features, and slightly more expensive than the Seal 5 Comfort (175,000 NIS). BYD has an advantage with a standard electric sunroof (manual sunshade) and rain sensors. Arrizo excels in wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electric passenger seat, and driver and passenger heating.
Safety: Neither has been tested in a Western crash test. Chery has eight airbags in the top trim and six in the base, same as the Seal. Active safety specs are more limited in the Seal: No steering correction to prevent collisions in blind spots, no automatic high beam, no lane opening alert. Both have autonomous emergency braking front and rear, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and deviation correction.
Engine and Performance: Both offer very high outputs for family cars: Chery claims 342 hp combining gasoline and electric engines, BYD 213 hp. Both drive electrically most of the time; the gasoline engine mainly charges the battery when needed or boosts the electric motor under heavy load or low battery, which both try to prevent by running their 1.5-liter engines (Chery turbo) once battery charge drops to around 20%.
In practice, the Arrizo 8 is not an M8; its official power rating exaggerates the supercar feeling. The Seal is slightly quicker from a standstill, but the Chery accelerates faster at suburban speeds. Both are agile and perform like mainstream electric cars.
Fuel Consumption: This is the most important and complex metric. Real-world electric range is similar, with BYD slightly ahead: 85 km vs. 75 km in suburban driving, increasing with more city driving. In hybrid mode with a charged battery, Arrizo achieved 30 km/l and Seal 27 km/l. With an uncharged battery and more gasoline use, Chery recorded 18 km/l and Seal 16 km/l.
Electric Charging: Both have 18.3 kWh batteries, slow charging at 6.6 kW, and the ability to charge external devices. Chery also offers fast charging (40 kW), but given electricity costs and the fact it’s not a pure EV, few customers are likely to use it.
Comfort and Handling: Neither excels; BYD is slightly better. Both are uncomfortable in the city, steering is softer and less scattered in corners, and BYD is quieter. BYD’s steering is also better. However, compared to Japanese, Korean, or European family cars, both fall short in comfort and handling.
Bottom Line: Family cars are usually economical, and both aim for this. Tax benefits make them very attractive for company car recipients, who can charge at home or at the office, reducing energy costs.
However, caveats remain: The plug-in tax benefit will likely be less attractive next year, and superior fuel economy requires accessible charging, which 60% of Israelis lack at home and most workplaces do not provide.
Between the base versions that dominate sales, Arrizo has only a slight edge, earning an equal rating. It’s more impressive visually, slightly roomier and economical, but lacks complete equipment, has inferior ergonomics, and less enjoyable road handling. BYD is humbler in appearance but has better ergonomics, less poor road behavior, and superior electric range, even if it won’t impress colleagues with a promotion.
Both lose in road handling, comfort, and Chery also in ergonomics compared to the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, which is also more fuel-efficient if users don’t charge often, and to the successful Octavia, which is less economical. At similar prices, better hybrid crossovers are available today like Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, and even superior plug-ins like Jacco 7 and Chery Tiggo 7. For companies still forcing employees to choose only a company sedan in 2025—on their dime—we have little praise.
Tested by: Azri Levi
Chery Arrizo 8 | Specs
Engine: 1.5L turbo gasoline + electric motor, 347 hp. Battery 18.3 kWh
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Performance (manufacturer): 0-100 km/h in 7.8 s, top speed 180 km/h, 105 km electric, 142 km/l
Safety: Not tested in Western crash test. Full active safety
Warranty: 5 years/150,000 km car, 8 years/150,000 km battery
Price (base/test car): 182/176k NIS
Likes: Appearance, interior, performance, fuel economy
Dislikes: Ergonomics, comfort, handling
Rating: 8/10
BYD Seal 5 | Specs
Engines: 1,498 cc gasoline + electric motor, combined 213 hp, combined torque 30 kgm
Transmission: Automatic, direct drive. Front-wheel drive
Performance (manufacturer): 0-100 km/h in 7.5 s, top speed 180 km/h, electric range 100 km, combined fuel
consumption: 59 km/l
Safety: Not tested in European crash test, full active safety
Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km car, 8 years/200,000 km battery
Price: NIS 175k
Likes: Efficiency, equipment, performance, warranty
Dislikes: Comfort, handling, safety specs
Rating: 8/10