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Are BYD cars good?

An in-depth review answering are BYD cars any good: we cover brand reputation, the BYD family of models, comparisons with rivals and more

BYD SEAL U DM-i driving

Is BYD a good car?

‘Are BYD cars any good?’ is a question that’s on the minds of drivers across the UK now we’re seeing more and more BYD cars on our road. It makes sense, as they lack the heritage and familiarity of other household names.

To answer is BYD a good car, we’ll use this guide to delve into things like reliability, specific models and comparisons with other brands.

Used electric cars under £15,000

Are BYD cars good?

If you haven’t heard of BYD before, don’t worry – it’s pretty new to the UK and many consider it to be a challenger brand. That means high-quality cars that are great value for money, and often undercut traditional rivals.

The cars are stylish to look at, but they’re also built to a high quality and feel solid.

BYD’s cars are backed by a six-year/93,750-mile warranty, which is about double the industry average, so even though it’s a new brand and long-term reliability data isn’t quite so readily available, this extended cover stands for a lot.

Is BYD a good brand?

BYD actually started life as a battery manufacturer, not a car maker, in the 1990s. That should give you peace of mind that this EV manufacturer knows a thing or two about electrics.

It launched in the UK in 2023 with its first car, the ATTO 3, before adding the DOLPHIN and SEAL to the list. More models have followed, and the range continues to expand.

Buyer confidence seems pretty high, because BYD has outsold Tesla cars many times, and that’s one of the main brands it rivals.

Are BYD electric cars good?

Most of BYD’s cars are electric, but it has a growing fleet of plug-in hybrids in the works.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

BYD Dolphin SURF driving

BYD’s cheapest and smallest car, the DOLPHIN SURF, goes head-to-head with the likes of the Dacia Spring, Hyundai INSTER and Leapmotor T03. Here’s what it has to offer:

  • £18,650-£23,950

  • 88hp or 156hp

  • 30kWh or 43.2kWh battery

  • Up to 200 miles of range

BYD Dolphin SURF review banner

BYD DOLPHIN

BYD Dolphin

Here are some of the specs you’ll want to know about the DOLPHIN, which rivals the Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3 and Peugeot E-208.

  • £30,205-£31,705

  • 204hp

  • 60.4kWh battery

  • Up to 265 miles of range

BYD Dolphin

BYD SEAL

BYD Seal front three quarters

The SEAL is an in-demand electric saloon with a huge focus on efficiency and performance, with the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and Polestar 2 firmly in its sights.

  • £45,705-£48,705

  • 312hp or 530hp

  • 82.5kWh battery

  • Up to 354 miles of range

BYD SEAL

BYD SEALION 7

BYD SEALION 7 driving

For an electric coupé-SUV like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.5, consider the BYD SEALION 7. Here’s what you need to know:

  • £47,000-£59,000

  • 312hp or 530hp

  • 82.5kWh or 91.3kWh battery

  • Up to 312 miles of range

BYD SEALION 7 review banner

BYD ATTO 2

A grey BYD ATTO 2 drives swiftly on a road with blurred greenery in the background under a cloudy sky.

UK drivers love compact crossovers like the Ford Puma Gen-E, Volvo EX30 and Renault 4. The ATTO 2 is BYD’s solution at this end of the market.

  • £30,850-£34,950

  • 178hp or 204hp

  • 51.1kWh or 64.8kWh battery

  • Up to 267 miles of range

BYD ATTO 3

Blue BYD ATTO 3 driving on a rural road with blurred trees in the background, showcasing motion and speed.

BYD’s first UK model is still a worthwhile option today, with tech specs to rival the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Renault Scenic E-Tech.

  • £37,705-£39,705

  • 204hp

  • 60.4kWh battery

  • Up to 260 miles of range

BYD vs. rivals

Tesla Model Y front

BYD’s main rival is, of course, Tesla, which has previously dominating EV sales both in the UK and other countries.

With a BYD you get more warranty cover, cheaper prices and a wider selection of cars, but with Tesla you get class-leading tech and some of the smartest-looking EVs on the roads.

You might also want to consider a BYD family car over others, like VW, Hyundai and Kia. Prices and tech are in the BYD’s favour, but Hyundai and Kia do have better warranty limits.

What makes an electric car good?

When buying an electric car for sale, there are a few key criteria you’ll want to use to compare two or more models, including:

  • Range and efficiency

  • Battery size and charging speeds/time

  • Performance

  • Tech and other features

  • Reliability and warranty

Discover used BYD cars for sale

If this guide has filled you with confidence and you’re ready to go all-in, browse our stock of used BYD cars for sale to see how much you could save.

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