BYD Seal 6 DM-i

FIRST DRIVE Trailblazing Chines se brand extends UK offering with only its second plug-in hybrid to come to this country

- Paul Barker [e-mail]

THE BYD product onslaught continues in the UK, with its eighth new model in well under three years since landing here. But the Seal 6 DM-i is only the second plugin hybrid in an otherwise electric lineup, and a PHEV compact executive-sized saloon and estate are unusual additions, especially at a price that undercuts the only real plugin hybrid saloon competition - BMW's 330e and the Mercedes C-Class PHEV - by over £10,000.

However, those premium models are very different cars to the more relaxed and mainstream Seal 6. The BYD is something of an oddity, which means it could either be overlooked, or carve itself a useful niche, with only the similarly priced Toyota Prius hatch for company. If you're after an estate instead, then you could consider the VW Passat and Skoda Superb plugins. But they are several thousand pounds more expensive, although they offer significantly higher electric ranges than the entry-level Seal 6. The only PHEVs at a similar price are the smaller Peugeot 308 SW and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, unless you want to venture into SUV-land. Which, if you're looking at a traditional saloon or estate, we presume is not the case.