The BYD Seal U DM-i has consolidated its status as one of the UK’s most respected models among owners after scooping two prizes at the 2026 Autotrader Driver’s Choice Awards.
The family SUV came out top in the Best Value New Car and Best In-Car Technology categories.
What makes these accolades stand out against other awards is that they are decided by the real-world opinion of UK car owners.
This year, over 160,000 UK car owners completed an online survey sharing exactly what they think of their car, with these opinions deciding the winner in 20 of the 24 categories awarded.
The BYD Seal U DM-i made its UK debut in 2024 and has quickly gone on to find favour with buyers, supplanting itself inside the overall top ten best-selling models in recent months.
Powered by BYD’s Dual Mode-intelligent technology, the Seal U plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is available with the choice of an 18.3kWh and 26.6kWh battery mated to a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Opt for the former and you’ll get between 43 and 50-miles of electric only running, while the larger battery will return as much as 78-miles on electric power alone (WLTP).
Features on the entry-level Boost trim include 19-inch alloy wheels, a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, a vegan leather interior, heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Steve Beattie, Deputy Country Manager for BYD UK, said: “It’s a huge privilege to accept both awards for the SEAL U DM-i, and the fact that they have been decided by the people who have bought and lived with our cars makes it even more special.
“I’d like to thank Autotrader and their readers, plus all of the BYD retailers and internal team that has made the ownership experience such a pleasure for our customers.
“Most of all, I’d like to thank the BYD owners themselves for telling Autotrader just how highly they rate their cars.”
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- BYD
- New Cars