BYD EXPANDS IRISH LINEUP

Atto 2.

The BYD lineup in Ireland has been expanded with the introduction of the Atto 2 Super Hybrid and the Atto 3 EVO, writes Brian Byrne. The Atto 2 Super Hybrid, available in ‘Active’ and ‘Boost’ models priced at €32,990 and €35,990 respectively, offers up to 1,000km range and 90km electric-only range. 

The Atto 3 EVO, available in ‘Design’ and ‘Excellence’ variants at €40,530 and €43,985, features all-wheel drive, a rated 510km range, and rapid charging capabilities. 

Both models include a 15.6-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, and vehicle-to-load technology, with a six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty. 

BYD is distributed in Ireland by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL).

BYD Sealion 5 PHEV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Chinese car brand BYD has certainly made its mark on the Irish car market, having launched eight new models since arriving here just three years ago. The company has sold 3,894 units so far this year, representing a massive increase of +99.69% over the whole of last year’s sales. BYD is now amongst the leading five EV and PHEV brands in Ireland. 

My latest test drive was the BYD Sealion 5 Super Hybrid, which sits below the larger Seal U hybrid in the brand’s hybrid line-up. It measures 4,738mm long, 1,860mm wide, 1,710mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,712mm. 

This is a 1.5 plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 1,016km when fully charged and with a full tank of petrol, dispelling any driver range anxiety as you could travel the length and breadth of the country without having to stop to ‘refuel’. To me, the model is not as stylish as some competitors such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, or Toyota Corolla Cross. It looks quite fussy with too much going on, especially on the front and sides with the large textured grille, muscular shoulders that flare over the wheel arches, and all the indented lines. But the 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels look great and provide good grip, while the full-width LED light bar and contrast-colour D-pillar create a ‘floating’ roof effect. 

This is a proper five-seater with room for all adults to travel in comfort, with very good levels of headroom and legroom front and rear. Front seats feature durable vegan faux leather upholstery, have integrated see-through head restraints, and can be heated. The driver’s seat has six-way power adjustment, while the co-driver’s seat has four-way power adjustments. Both provide very good back support. The centre dash is the fixed 12.8-inch landscape touchscreen, which I changed from a dark background to a lighter one. The touchscreen is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; built-in shortcuts let you change the temperature and fan speed. Dual zone climate control, fan, air direction settings are permanent controls along the base of the central screen. 

The colourful 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster stands out from the dash and provides all the relevant information, including your current speed shown large top centre. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel includes voice control - say ‘Hi BYD’ to grab her attention. You can ask ‘herself’ to turn on the air conditioning, change the temperature, or radio station. There’s also an excellent reversing camera. The automatic transmission selector is on the flat of the central console, with the start-stop button and buttons for sensors, audio, fan, windscreen heater, and controls for EV or HEV driving. 

Rear seats can split 40:60. Wide-opening doors help install a child seat, and there are three ISOFIX anchor points provided. A completely flat floor improves foot room for the middle passenger. 

The power tailgate opens up 463 litres of boot space that can expand up to 1,410 litres with rear seats folded. PHEVs can be charged by both regenerative braking and by plugging into an external charger, either a home charger or public charging station. 

Hybrid cars are ideal for long-distance driving as when the electric range runs out, you can just carry on your journey powered by petrol in this case. The Dual Mode hybrid system pairs a 1.5 petrol engine with an electric motor to provide a combined 212hp. In EV or HEV modes, wheels are driven solely by the electric motor and back-up charge supplied with power from the 1.5 petrol engine. When the battery is fully charged and switched to EV mode, the car becomes pure-electric with up to 86kms of electric range with its dual Blade Batteries, manufactured in-house by BYD. When the battery charge runs out, it changes over to the petrol engine. This DM-i technology improves efficiency during hybrid driving, with a combined fuel consumption of just 2.1 L/100km. 

Trims are Comfort and Design. The Comfort model, with its 12.96 kWh battery, delivers up to 62kms of all-electric range and a range of 992kms. With its larger 18.3 kWh battery, the Design trim has an electric range of 85kms and a combined range of 1,016kms, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Comfort trim includes metallic paint, LED headlights and tail-lights, power folding/heated exterior mirrors, aluminium roof rails, V2L, 6 speakers, rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Design adds an electric tailgate, heated front seats, a wireless phone charging pad, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and Dynamic welcome lights. 

On the road, I liked how this car drove like an electric vehicle, mostly using the Normal drive mode (also Eco and Sport modes), and was able to get a great driving position, and I appreciated the comfort provided. The car comes with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features, but I turned off all the annoying lane keeping/departure ‘alerts’ and stuck masking tape over the driver monitor on the A-pillar, which annoyed me with a big yellow ‘eye’ image on my driver’s screen warning me to keep my eye on the road should I glance sideways. 

The Sealion 5 Super Hybrid has a basic warranty of 6 years or 150,000km; the power battery 8 years or 250,000km. Road tax is €140. Prices are from €36,990-€40,990. 

BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid Touring PHEV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

BYD’s Seal 6 Super Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with a huge range for long, worry-free journeys. It can also travel around 100 km on pure electric driving, enough to cover most people’s daily work commutes. 

The model is available as a saloon or as a practical estate version called Touring, which was my review car. It's a spacious, aerodynamically designed, and well-proportioned car. The front-end design mixes flowing shapes and sharp lines in the lower bumper for a sporty look, while the side profile combines the sculpted waistline with a gently sloping rear roofline and a contrast finish in the D-pillar that creates a ‘floating’ effect. Other features are aluminium roof rails, a chrome detail across the tops of side windows, and 18-inch alloy wheels with the rather ominous name of ‘flying axe’. Rear tail lights have smoked finishes and layered LED-matrix sequences designed to create a flowing visual motion. 

My car was in the Obsidian Black exterior colour, an expensive extra as are Atlantis Blue and Sandstone colours. Polar White comes as standard. The cabin is a comfy and spacious place for five adults, thanks to its 2,790mm wheelbase, the same in both body styles. 

The estate is marginally taller and heavier than its sibling. I’d have preferred a brighter interior colour scheme to the dark grey in my review car. However, the long panoramic sunroof provided extra brightness in the cabin. Front seats have a sleek one-piece headrest design and lovely vegan leather upholstery. They were comfy and supportive and had power adjustments (6-way for the driver, 4-way for the co-driver). They can be heated and ventilated. You have to go through screen menus on the 15.6-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen display (12.8 inches in the lower Boost trim) for most of the basic key functions, but you can select shortcuts to regular items. There are permanent screen widgets for the dual-zone climate control. Just say ‘Hi BYD’ pressing the button on the steering wheel to sort out the music or navigation. Built-in 4G allows you to stay online wherever you go. The driver’s cluster shows fuel consumption, charging capacity, and current speed. Windscreen wipers are, Oceania-Asia fashion, on the left side of the steering wheel, which is confusing in the European market. The transmission selector is located off the steering column, and the Start/Stop button is on the flat of the central console beside the EV/HEV Mode button. 

Drive modes are Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow. There's a phone charging pad, two C-USBs front and back, a decent glovebox, good door bins, and a large bin under the front armrest. The steering wheel can be heated. 

The rear has a completely flat floor and generous legroom, though little space for feet under the front seats. Headroom is just about OK for tall people. With just two seats in use, the central armrest has two cupholders, and there is a hatch through to the boot. Rubber floor mats are functional and practical, as is the coat hook on each B-pillar. A power tailgate opens to reveal boot space of up to 675 litres, which can accommodate strollers, full-size suitcases, or camping gear, and is extendable to 1,535 litres. The rear seats are dropped via a lever on either side of the boot. Sturdy hooks can support up to 3kg, and there’s a 12V power socket there. 

Both versions are powered by a 1.5 petrol engine paired with an automatic transmission. Boost trim has 184hp, a 10.08 kWh battery pack, a claimed combined range of over 1,500km and an electric range of 55km. The Comfort model upgrades to a 19 kWh battery pack, 212hp, and a claimed range of circa 1,455km, including an electric range of 105km. The 0-100km/h time is 8.5 seconds. You can recharge the battery at home or opt to DC fast-charge the larger battery from 30% to 80% in 23 minutes. All models have a peak torque of 300Nm. BYD’s DM-i drivetrain prioritises electric power with minimal reliance on fuel. When the battery is fully charged and switched to EV mode, the car drives like a pure electric. When the charge is low, it changes into a standard hybrid. BYD claims an average fuel return of 1.7 L/100km (in ideal use on commuting distances), but during my time with the car, I achieved an average of 4.4 L/100km, which is good. 

I turned off many of the annoying alerts to do with speed limit change prompt tones, lane departure warnings, etc, but I very much appreciated the good blind spot monitors. The reversing camera, all the parking aids, including the 360-degree camera, as well as front and rear traffic alerts, all contributed to the model being awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating. The ride could be quite firm on not-so-good country roads, and a fair amount of road noise filtered through on motorway driving. 

The Touring version is priced from €38,990; Saloon €37,490. Warranty on the BYD Blade Battery is 8 years or 250,000 km.

 

Sheils Motor Group appointed new BYD dealer in Clare

Clare motor retailer - Sheils Motor Group - has been appointed as a main dealer to represent BYD by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL), allowing the brand expand its presence in the Munster region, writes Trish Whelan. 

Trading as BYD Clare, it will operate from its showrooms on Gort Road, Dulick, on the northern approach into Ennis. 

Established in Clare by Tommy Sheils in 1925, great-grandfather to current Director Ted Sheils, Sheils Motor Group is one of the largest and longest-established, family-owned, automotive groups in Ireland. 

Now in its fourth generation, Sheils employs almost 100 people throughout the group. 

Sheils Motor Group Director, Ted Sheils; and Managing Director, Thomas Sheils, are pictured at the announcement with BYD Ireland National Sales Manager, Vicky Reilly.

BYD Sealion 5 Super Hybrid review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

In 2023, in a review of the Atto 3, I suggested that BYD's chief designer, Wolfgang Egger, formerly of Audi, should look at the non-adjustable integrated head restraint in the car, particularly how it pressed against a vertebra at the top of my spine, writes Brian Byrne. He obviously didn't get the message. The Sealion 5 Super Hybrid has the same feature, with the same problem for someone with my skeletal anatomy. An extended several days driving the car to and around West Cork had me feeling very uncomfortable, trying all the time to keep myself away from contact with the offending part of the seat. 

It’s the small things that get you. And the small things can have the biggest effect when it comes to something as important as a driver's seat. I should say that my passenger, who is shorter than I am, found her seat very comfortable. 

The Sealion 5 Super Hybrid is BYD covering its bets in the electrification stakes. A family crossover for the buyer not yet fully comfortable with the idea of going full EV. Perhaps concerned about the availability of adequate charging on a long summer run with a full consignment of teenagers on board. 

Said teenagers certainly should be impressed with the car in most aspects. It's big in looks, with sufficient exterior detailing to have it stand out amongst the sameness of so many SUV types. I certainly found it easy to spot in a couple of crowded car parks. 

The interior is well-appointed. Good finishes, quality materials. My review car had subdued but coherent colour treatments … nice, as sometimes you can get a more brash style from Chinese brands. The trim feel had a good mix of premium and the toughness required to stay looking well over the years. I was happy too to see real controls for setting the external mirrors, none of that needing to talk to the car to get to the right place on the screens. 

Unfortunately, that plus didn't extend to management of the climate system, which required three to six stabs at the screen to make basic changes. Also, the virtual button graphics and the descriptive fonts on the screen are too small, another area where European carmakers are superior to their Chinese counterparts. I know, I harp on … and will continue to do so until sanity is restored in these matters. And while I'm on the grumpy road, I couldn't find a setting that gave me a fuel consumption reading in L/100km, only km/L or both imperial and American mpg. 

The powertrain is based on a 1.5-litre inline four petrol engine and a plug-in battery that has a claimed 85km range in pure EV and a total of more than 1,000 km full tank and battery range. What the company calls its dual mode system has the electric motor driving the wheels, the petrol engine acting most of the time as a generator, or working in tandem with the electric motor when under strong acceleration. It's a smooth operation, offering an 8.5-second 100km/h sprint, relatively peppy for the size of the car. Not so smooth is the highway cruising driver assist system, very fidgety, so I tried it and then dispensed with it. 

BYD is on a roll here, currently in 12th place in Ireland by brand sales. The Chinese company is planning to make cars in Europe to build on its growth across this region. At this stage, like several carmakers from that part of the world, it doesn't have to prove that it can build high-quality vehicles. 

But it does need to rethink its design of integrated head restraints. I'm tall, but I'm not unique. Three years on from my first attempt, I hope Wolfgang Egger is given the message this time. 

PRICE: From €36,990. WHAT I LIKED: Most of it, except the seat. 

BYD Sealion 5 First Drive: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

The 1973 oil shock brought queues of panic buying to our family's little Esso station in my home village: we would sell in two hours what would normally be a long day's worth, writes Brian Byrne. To maintain service and supply, I cobbled a rationing system that anyone with less than half a tank got a fill; those with more than half could come back the next day. It was rough and ready but worked, and most customers were happy enough. Except one, who had three-quarters of a tank and became very upset when I wouldn't fill it. The reason? “I’m travelling to the Caribbean next week.”

Already on a short fuse, I lost it. “Are you effing DRIVING there?”

“No. But there might be no petrol when I come back.”

Let’s draw a curtain on my reply and move on to the following year, on my first, and only, foray into local politics. During canvassing, I rocked up to the same person's house. The door opened. “Yes?”

“I’m running for the council. Will you consider voting for me?”

No hesitation, let alone a consideration. “You didn’t give me petrol last year!” And the door slammed in my face. You can’t win ‘em all. I was beaten to the last seat on the 10th count by another first-timer from an opposing party. Ever after, and God be good to his soul, I thanked him.

Though we're not yet back to 1973 drivers siphoning their petrol into cans and storing it in their garden sheds and then going back out for more, there have been jitters that we might be back to shortage and even rationing. But at least cars these days go a lot further on whatever fuel they use. There are a lot more electric cars on the road, too, and many hybrids in several varieties.

The latest model from the world's largest 'new energy' carmaker to land in Ireland is the BYD Sealion 5 Super Hybrid. Direct competitors are the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai's Tucson, and Nissan's Qashqai. The car is similar in width to these and a bit longer.  In looks, it arguably holds its own against those others: I would say the design is, in fact, better. The grille, lights and lower fascia make for a distinctive front. There's strong sculpting in the profile, and the rear is a commendably clean confection. Altogether, a coherent design aesthetic.

Inside, a sweeping dashboard flows into a high centre console. As we now expect, a large centre screen dominates, complemented by a smaller one for the driver. Compared to some in other China-sourced cars, the virtual buttons are adequately large and located where they should be, in two rows along the bottom of the screen. The driver's screen provides primary information in a neat, clean way.

The console between the two front seats is well laid out and has a slick transmission selector that looks good and works intuitively. There's a manual volume roller among some real switchgear.

The whole sense within is of high perceived quality. That's no longer a surprise from this maker, with every one of the now eight models on sale here — apart, arguably, from the first quirky-interior Atto 3 — offering exactly that. The details and the very solid build quality are what we would have expected only from a very premium model as little as a decade ago. 

It's a roomy car. The extra length has been given to the passengers rather than for cargo, and that makes the rear three seats very livable. Vegan leather is standard, as are front seats with electric adjustment, and a V2L power point — one can connect a coffee machine on a picnic, or a power tool working in the yard.

The powertrain is a 3-way hybrid, with the battery operating the driving wheels at all times, kept charged by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The output is 200hp, with the capability of driving either 62 km or 86 km on electric power alone, depending on the battery size. The petrol engine will also add a direct driving boost under strong acceleration. A full tank and battery can take the car further than 1,000 km. An overall fuel consumption of 2.7L/100 km will give competitor brands a worried frown (and owners a smile as they don't have to queue for petrol so much).

My first drive with the Sealion 5 Super Hybrid left me thinking that there's very little difference these days between a car like this and a premium SUV costing several tens of thousands more. If that proves to be the case over a more extended time, the revolution from China is now more than technological.

PRICE: From €36,990; WHAT I LIKED: A solid, premium feel at an affordable price. 

New BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid saloon and touring models

BYD has introduced their family-sized Seal 6 Super Hybrid - a plug-in hybrid with intelligent BYD Super DM-i technology, writes Trish Whelan. 

The model arrives in Ireland both as a saloon version and, in a new body style for BYD in Europe, an estate version named the BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid Touring. 

With its compact petrol engine, the combination of battery and motorised power translates into over 100km of pure-electric driving, and a combined range of 1,505kms on the saloon ‘Boost’ variant, with a full charge and full tank of fuel. Boot space is a decent 491 litres increasing to 1,370 litres with rear seat backs folded; the Touring model has 675 litres, extendable to 1,535 litres. The car is capable of 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, has peak torque of 300Nm. 

The new Seal 6 Super Hybrid is the second BYD to come to Ireland equipped with their DM-i dual mode technology and is the first of six new models to arrive here this year. It is available in Ireland in ‘Boost’ and ‘Comfort’ trim variants and comes equipped with a big array of standard specifications. 

A short test drive in the saloon version on launch day, proved this is quite an upmarket car, comfortable and spacious. The car provides an efficient, practical and eco-conscious solution for daily mobility and long worry-free journeys. 

Both versions are capable of 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds. Peak torque is 300Nm. 

Awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, safety fitments include numerous advanced driver assistance systems such as front parking sensors, rear radar, 360-degree camera, sensors and reversing camera. 

Prices start at €37,490 for the saloon body style, and from €38,999 for the Touring model (pictured below).

 

Extended distance warranty on BYD batteries

BYD Sealion 7.

BYD has extended the warranty on its Blade batteries to 250,000km or eight years for both existing and new vehicles in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. The warranty retains its promise of a minimum end State of Health (SOH) of 70 per cent. 

The battery technology is central to BYD’s electric and Super Hybrid models, using lithium iron phosphate chemistry and a unique blade-shaped design. 

The system has passed extensive testing, exceeding 3,000 charge cycles and offering a service life of 1.2 million km.  

BYD is official automotive partner of Manchester City FC

BYD vehicle manufacturer has announced an agreement to become the Official Automotive Partner of Manchester City Football Club, writes Trish Whelan. 

As well as supplying vehicles to Man City, BYD Group will also provide vehicle charging and energy-storage batteries at City Football Academy, the Club’s training and development facility and home to the men’s, women’s and academy teams. 

BYD’s branding will now feature on the training-kit sleeve of the men’s first team and from next season the women’s firs team. In addition, BYD will have presence across the Etihad Stadium, with the brand’s logo featuring on the headrests of the dug-out area. One of the company’s cars will also lead the official Manchester City men’s first team bus into the stadium for Premier League and domestic-cup home fixtures. 

The Company has previously been the official sponsor of the UEFA EURO 2024 and UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025. 

Pictured at the announcement are Manchester City players, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

BYD Dolphin Surf review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Chinese automotive company BYD introduced its all-electric Dolphin Surf to the Irish market in September expanding its line-up to six models. 

This 4-door, 4-seater hatchback was designed for motorists looking for an affordable electric car that is attractive looking, practical, climate-friendly, economical to own and to run. The Dolphin Surf fits the bill on all counts. Competitors include the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster, and Citroen’s new e-C3. 

I can see the ‘Surf’ appealing to many younger folk as it looks like a cool, fun-loving car with a sharp design, but just not in the black exterior colour of my review car. It looks better in lighter colours that include a bright Lime Green. 

This is the smallest car in the BYD line-up, measuring just 3,990mm long, 1,720mm wide, 1.59mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,500mm, which makes it very agile to drive on city streets and to manoeuvre into really tight parking spaces. 

Getting in and out is relatively easy for tall people. Headlights consist of six angled light strips that add to the front’s funky design; daytime-running lights also help create a sharp look. The C-pillar has a dot-matrix design inspired by ice crystals that helps to visually separate the roof, creating a ‘floating’ effect. The integrated roof spoiler adds to the sporty look and helps improve aerodynamic efficiency and range. Full-width LED taillights also feature. My car had the green ‘flash’ registration plates recently introduced for zero-emission vehicles. 

The cabin has plenty of room for four adults. Front sports seats with integrated headrests are both comfy and supportive and have power adjustments. The dash features a 10.1-inch rotatable touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation as standard, and voice control. Saying ‘Hi BYD’ allows you to access many key functions without scrolling through the screen, which is always useful. Below the screen is a tube-like set of controls for the dual zone climate control, air conditioning, and drive modes of Eco, Normal and Sport - but you have to go through the screen for the temperature controls. The actual temperature setting is shown on the bottom of the touchscreen in tiny figures. It wasn’t intuitive, and easier controls would be a big improvement. At the end of the tube is the twisty automatic transmission shifter. The smaller driver’s cluster screen is much more colourful with all the necessary information and graphics. There are two C-type USBs, a big wireless phone charger on the central console, an open storage area located near the floor between the front seats, a decent-sized glovebox and big door bins front and rear. 

Just two seats in the rear. Knee and head room is fine for most adults, and there’s a flat floor. All models have ISOFIX anchor points, front and rear. The boot capacity of 308 litres can extend to 1,037 litres with rear seats folded. The high boot floor allows for easy loading and unloading, and there's a storage area below the floor for charging cables. 

Features included a 360-degree camera system that simultaneously shows a view of both front and rear on the split screen. The model is built on BYD’s e-platform and powered by their cobalt-free lithium-ion battery. Batteries for the three variants are a 30kWh pack (Active) and 43.2kWh (Boost), while the Comfort trim has a 43.2kWh battery and 115hp motor, the latter being my review car. The charging port is to the front of the driver’s door, and you can charge from 10-80 per cent in under 30 minutes at a DC rapid charge station. 

Safety equipment includes six airbags, an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS) with intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assist and intelligent high-beam control. Euro NCAP has awarded the model the maximum five-star safety rating. I had to go through screens to turn off some driver assistance systems. The driver's facial camera on the A-pillar is an intrusive distraction, and I lost count of the number of times I was told to ‘focus on the road’ while doing just that, even when driving slowly in a housing estate, with an accompanying yellow eye glaring at me on the instrument cluster. Placing masking tape over the offending camera allowed me to travel in peace. 

All-around visibility is good. Steering is light but not overly so. Acceleration time from 0-100km/h is 9.1 seconds, and the driving range with the Comfort grade is a WLTP-rated 322 km, which proved accurate during my days with the car. The Dolphin Surf can support an outdoor lifestyle with Vehicle to Load (V2L) technology that turns your car into a power bank to charge your computer, play video games or plug in a coffee machine away from home. 

The model has already gained international recognition, being voted World Urban Car of the Year at this year’s World Car of the Year Awards. Priced from €17,095-€24,113. Annual road tax €120.

 

BYD Dolphin Surf Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Logic would suggest that city-sized cars are ideal for electric propulsion, but the reality is that the growth in EVs has really been concentrated in medium and larger cars, writes Brian Byrne. That's because EV development and production have been expensive, and the profit margin in a large car is better able to help defray that. So, the big hitters here are VW ID 4, Tesla's 3 and Y, Kia's EV6, and Hyundai's more compact Kona. But the profile is changing, with Skoda's Elroq and Kia's EV3 growing the C-segment this year as part of a continuing electric car market share expansion.

Also, this year, the city car EV has been in the ascendant, and suddenly, there are relatively affordable electric options for a segment attractive to younger buyers and downsizing urban empty-nesters. Hyundai's Inster has galloped into sixth EV place overall, and a growing cohort of others in that space are determined to peel out some share for themselves.

One of these is the recently-launched BYD Dolphin Surf. The smallest car so far from the top-selling Chinese brand in Ireland, its cheeky styling is already turning heads here and, given any run in 2026, it's likely to come out well in the money for importers MDL.

At a tidy four metres minus, the Surf is visually a wedge of angles and swirls that could have gone awry, especially with the small wheels. But somehow the stylists managed to give us a car that evokes smiles. Once the nameplate gets known, it won't be mistaken for anything else on Ireland's roads.

Inside, the dashboard and door trims are more swoopy stuff, but with a pleasing symmetry, and, even more important, good quality finishing. Given the brand's penchant for large screens that rotate, it's nice to see that in the Surf's case, the size is more manageable. It still rotates, but why would I want it to? 

Climate controls are operated by a permanent row of virtual buttons along the screen bottom, and below that, there's a 'Rolos' tube of silvery switchgear for volume, AC, drive mode, and quirky transmission select. They're grand, apart from the pictograms etched on the silver being too fine to see in normal light. You'd get to know them, though. A tidy, bright-graphics driver information screen clearly shows the essentials.

The seats are well finished, with integrated non-adjustable head restraints that worried me at first sight, but turned out to be perfectly aligned for my head. There's room for just two people in the back, with surprising knee room, and enough for heads no taller than, say, 5'10". There is a bigger boot and significantly more elbow room than in the key competitor and so far rampaging front runner Inster.

The Surf has an attractive starting price, but that comes with a smaller battery and a rated range of just 222km. The more useful larger battery versions are rated at 322km, which should be adequate for the typical Irish owner (both go considerably further when used only in the city streets, which the car is targeted for).

There's a performance difference too. The basic and next up grades offer a leisurely 12 seconds or so to 100km/h, while the top one has a more powerful motor and a perkier 9.1s sprint, with a marginal impact on range.

The car has all the required driver assistance stuff, and the usual need to turn some annoying ones off every time you hit the start button. We've all gotten used to that now.

Bottom line, despite its size, the Surf's youthful ethos and essentially practical design makes it feel like a real car. Whatever that is today.  When I was leaving back the key after I'd parked it for the last time, I looked back. And smiled.

PRICE: From €17,985; Review car €24,722. WHAT I LIKED: I was always smiling. 

BYD Dolphin Surf to shake up small EV market

The small electric car space has just become a lot more competitive with the arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf, writes Brian Byrne. It has gone on sale at a starting price of 17,985.

Already voted World Urban Car of the Year, the Dolphin Surf is available in three specifications, with two battery options offering rated ranges from 220 to 322 km. Those figures will be higher in the city space where it is designed to operate most efficiently.

Although in the small car class, there's ample room for four, notably in the rear for knee and head room. The boot capacity is the equivalent of five carry-on suitcases.

The Irish distributor is MDL, and they say the Dolphin Surf scores highly against the competition in several specification points. The mid-range Boost version is expected to be the main seller at €22,300.  

BYD Sealion 7 Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Parents, son, and daughter are sitting in their stalled car, munching on food they were taking to a party, writes Brian Byrne. Not particularly upset about those waiting for the goodies they’re chomping with gusto. “Yeah, genius here forgot to put petrol in the car,” wife says, on the phone to the disappointed people awaiting the grub. Son in the back, also devouring a big share of the Aldi deli, chortles, “Classic, Dad.” And Dad, in the front passenger seat, grins between bites of fancy cheeses and says, “You’re welcome.”

Have to ask why Mum hadn’t noticed the low fuel before they ran out? After all, SHE was driving the car, not ‘genius’. Just asking ...

Anyhow, with the growing number of electric cars being bought here — so far this year, 37 per cent up on the same period in 2024 — that ad at some point in the near future will have to be about which 'genius' didn't plug in the car overnight before their journey. In particular, I'm losing track of the Chinese-made brands and models outside my house in recent months — another one, Leapmotor, is just arriving on the Irish market as I write. They're all consistently well-made, though I understand it's a dog-eat-dog situation back home, where 129 EV brands are fighting for a viable market share where more than half of sales are electric or plug-in hybrid. Only 15 of those will be financially viable in five years.

BYD is now the biggest electric car maker in the world, and the brand is in 14th place in the Irish market after just over two years here. That it is just one place behind Mercedes-Benz is telling. The Sealion 7 is the latest in Ireland of a 5-model lineup, smooth and sleek, and in a size bracketed by the Tesla Y and Polestar 3.

Apart from a couple of pointy bits in the thin headlamps, this car is all curves. Bucking a style trend that's been emerging, where cars are taking the square-look road by and large. That probably won't affect the sales much. It is a handsome beast.

Inside, there's the obligatory Chinese giant central screen, probably the size of a pair of iPad Pros. Thankfully, there's also a driver's screen directly in front so that at least the essential driving information is close to eye level. But the graphics within what's a large area are oddly tiny, the biggest being a quite small digital speed readout. On the other hand, the steering wheel-mounted controls are nice and big, and the centre console transmission selector is nicely visible and straightforward. It's a spacious car, though a shorter colleague thought the dashboard a bit high. The finish all round is very good without being luxurious, probably quite practical. Good space in the back and a quite massive boot.

It's a smooth drive, no surprise there. It was the top Excellence of three available grades, with a dual motor all-wheel-drive and 530hp, offering a 4.5-second sprint to 100km/h. Not at all bad for a 2.5-tonne or so car. That’s been the massive shift in Irish motoring over the last decade, when 100hp was decent, 150hp was powerful, and 200hp was fast. We're in a different place now, and I'm unsure if the insurance industry or the driving instruction has caught up.

Those motors in the review car were powered by a 91.3kWh battery of BYD's own design, with a rated European range of 520 km. If you work on the displayed real-world efficiency, you'll find that 420 km is probably more accurate. Which is enough.

Unless 'genius' has forgotten to plug it in. In which case, one would hope that the cache of Aldi goodies has again been collected before starting out to be "stuck in the middle of nowhere."

PRICE: From €45,435; review car €56,490. WHAT I LIKED: It would be very comfortable while waiting for a recharge. 

BYD gets two Cork, another Dublin outlet

BYD Sealion 7.

Cavanagh’s of Charleville has joined the BYD network in Ireland on behalf of distributors MDL, writes Brian Byrne. Along with the other addition of the Kearys Motor Group, this expands BYD’s national dealer network to 11 outlets overall.

Cavanagh’s of Charleville has created a new branded premises dedicated exclusively to BYD within its N20 Limerick–Cork Road motor campus at the approach to Charleville on the Limerick side.

Kearys Motor Group overlooking Cork’s N40 South Ring Road will be trading as BYD Cork Central, along with its new Tallaght, Dublin, outlet.

Vicky Reilly, BYD Ireland National Sales Manager, welcomed both companies to the network, representing one of the world’s fastest-growing new energy vehicle brands. 

BYD expanding Irish footprint and range

BYD Sealion 7.

Chinese carmaker BYD will be launching three more models in Ireland during this year, bringing the total offering to eight nameplates, writes Brian Byrne. This was revealed during the recent Irish launch of the Sealion 7 at a starting price of €45,435. It's just two years since the first BYD, the Atto 3 was launched here by importers Motor Distributors Limited, which was followed by the Dolphin, Seal, and Seal U hybrid SUV.

The upcoming models will be launched in June, September and November. In 2026 a B-segment hatchback and a large SUV will be added to the range.

The BYD dealer network in Ireland includes outlets in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kerry and Galway, and the brand will be further expanding during this year. 

BYD Sealion 7 arrives in Ireland

A new BYD SUV in Ireland, the Sealion 7, marks the fifth arrival from the brand here in two years, writes Brian Byrne. The fully-electric Sealion is priced from €45,435.

There are three grades, an entry level RWD and two AWD variants.  Two battery options offer rated ranges of between 456km and 502km. An acceleration capability of 4.5s to 100km/h is achievable.

High levels of comfort and connectivity feature across the range. 

BYD SEAL U Super Hybrid review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The recent arrival of the BYD SEAL U Super Hybrid PHEV marked the Chinese company’s entry into the highly competitive hybrid segment here, unlike the brand's previous all electric models. This is a stylish medium-large five-seater that looks elegant and aerodynamic from all sides. The 19-inch wheels enhance its aesthetics while also reducing drag. 

The beautifully finished interior features a panoramic sliding roof, a floating centre console touchscreen that swivels for either portrait or landscape style and is a central control hub for connectivity and infotainment, with 4G connectivity. It includes Navigation, Spotify and Radio selections on the home screen. I used the Intelligent Voice Assistance ‘Hi BYD’ to turn on, or off, some of the car’s features including the Lane Departure Assist. 

The customisable large driving instrument cluster shows where the power is coming from, your current speed etc, while the head-up display projects critical data onto the windscreen in line of sight. 

The review car's comfortable seats were in a dark leather upholstery and came with ventilation and heating. Integrated headrests are high. My seat had power adjustments and memory function. Front seat heating controls are on a permanent lower part of the dash along with the dual zone climate control, easy to adjust while on the move. 

People in the rear enjoy excellent head and legroom and a flat floor. The centre rear seat lowers as an arm rest with two cupholders and there are two USBs on the rear central console. The high opening tailgate is power operated. Boot capacity of 425 litres isn’t as much as might have been expected but can be expanded to 1,440 litres with rear seats down. 

An excellent reversing camera allowed me view all around my car on the central screen and large side mirrors had blind spot monitors. Drive modes are Normal, Sport and Snowfield as this was an AWD car. BYD’s 'dual mode' PHEV technology is proprietary to the company and comprises a 1.5 hybrid engine and large capacity 'Blade' battery as its main power source, only using the petrol engine when needed. With the battery fully charged the car becomes pure-electric and when the battery is low, the system seamlessly transforms into a hybrid vehicle. You can drive in pure EV mode in the city, hybrid EV mode when battery power falls and the engine automatically switches in to range extension, or HEV parallel mode where the wheels are driven by both the electric motor and the petrol engine for responsive acceleration. 

BYD manufacture their cobalt-free Blade battery themselves. The 18.3kWh unit provides a pure-electric range of up to 80km, this battery comes with DC fast charging capability. To benefit from their PHEV, owners should recharge their vehicles overnight at home. This PHEV delivers a combined range of up to 1,080km and a claimed petrol consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km. My fuel return was a bit more at 7.5 L/100kms. The system works a treat and the car seamlessly changes from electric to petrol when the charge is depleted. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is 5.9 seconds. 

Standard safety features include, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The car had really excellent night driving lights - powerfully lighting up both sides of country roads and ditches and the road in front for a huge distance. I felt reassured and safe when driving at night. The drive was very quiet on the road with little noise from the engine. 

This car has received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. There are six main BYD dealers; two in Dublin and one in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. Entry level prices are from €42,150.