Who is BYD?

BYD – short for Build Your Dreams – is one of the many Chinese car manufacturers making an impact on UK roads. Since arriving here in 2023, the brand’s popularity has accelerated, with new car registrations increasing five-fold in 2025 compared with last year.

BYD’s popularity is down to its focus on reliable, well-equipped and affordable electric and hybrid vehicles. Though it’s still relatively new to the UK market, the brand has a diverse line-up of EVs that appeal to a range of drivers and is in fact China’s largest vehicle producer.

Let’s have a closer look at what BYD has to offer:

Dolphin Surf

For those of you who prefer a smaller car and want a smooth ride, the Dolphin Surf, which is due to be built in a new factory in Hungary this year, may be the best option for you. It’s small, nimble, perfect for city driving, and comes with a 5-Star NCAP safety rating.

The entry-level Active model offers 137 miles of range from its 30kWh battery, which is ample for hybrid commuters or occasional drivers. If you want a little more range, the 43.2 kWh Boost model comes with a larger battery and delivers 193 miles of range. There’s also a sportier Comfort model, that includes a more powerful motor while retaining the 193-mile range.

The Dolphin Surf’s cabin feels grown-up and roomy, with a digital display cluster for the driver, and a 10.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which also rotates to a portrait or landscape mode. The boot is a touch over 300-litres, which is on par with similarly sized cars, and there’s a good amount of tech included in even the entry level model.

Atto 2

Moving up a size bracket again, next is the BYD Atto 2; a small SUV in the same league as the popular new Ford Puma Gen-E, and Peugeot e-2008.

The 51.1kWh model provides 214 miles of range, which puts it straight in the middle of other small electric SUVs available – or you could opt for the Comfort model, which increases the battery to 65kWh, delivering 261 miles of range.

Like BYD’s other offerings, the cab is packed with tech, including a rotatable infotainment screen capable of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s as spacious and comfortable as you would expect for a car of its size, and it boasts a practical 400-litre boot in its standard configuration (450-litres if you opt for the Comfort variant).

Atto 3

Next in the range, we have the Atto 3, which is essentially the Atto 2’s bigger sibling.

It comes with a 60kWh battery that can deliver 261 miles of range, which is connected to a motor producing 204hp. With a focus on everyday life, the Atto 3 was built with a focus on being agile and manoeuvrable, and a 360-degree camera system means you should never bump your alloys on the kerb again.

You may have spotted a running technology theme through the range, as the infotainment system is a large screen that you can choose to have in portrait or landscape mode, as well as having plenty of room for yourself and passengers.

Seal

The Seal is BYD’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. It’s a spacious, luxurious, powerful and affordable saloon car with a lot to offer.

The Design RWD base model can deliver 354 miles of range from its 83kWh battery and packs a punch with 313hp. The second option, the all-wheel-drive Excellence, provides an additional motor for the front axle, which means range dips to 323 miles, but power skyrockets to 530hp.

It’s also comfortable and packed with technology – including a 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment screen – and a 400-litre boot that gives plenty of storage capacity. The back seats are as spacious as its competitors, offering a comfortable journey to rear passengers.

Sealion 7

Lastly (at the moment) is the Sealion 7 – BYD’s largest SUV available in the UK, and rival to the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, or Peugeot E-3008.

Its Comfort and Design models comes with an 82kWh battery that provides 283 miles of range and 313hp, or you can go all-out with the Excellence variant, which comes with a 91kWh battery that gives 312 miles of range and 530hp.

Inside the cab is spacious and comfortable, with – you guessed it – a 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment display. The back seats are just as spacious as the front, with more than enough room for taller rear passengers, and a massive 520-litre boot space.

Drive a BYD with Tusker

Whether you’re after a compact city car, a sleek saloon, or a family-friendly SUV, BYD’s growing line-up shows why the brand is quickly becoming one to watch in the UK. And through Tusker’s salary sacrifice scheme, it’s easier than ever to get behind the wheel of a brand-new BYD.