BYD Seal U vs Jaecoo E5

Simply styled and calm, with impressive hybrid range
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
7/10
Simply styled and roomy, with a sensible price tag
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10

AI overview

Both the BYD Seal U and the Jaecoo E5 offer families plenty of space and loads of equipment for sensible money, yet both leave room for improvement out on the road. The BYD Seal U pairs a smooth, refined hybrid engine with generous passenger space and a panoramic sunroof, though its awkward ride and light steering make it less than inspiring to drive. Meanwhile, the Jaecoo E5 goes down the fully electric route with a responsive infotainment screen, a handy 540-degree panoramic view camera and a boot that easily swallows family luggage, but its slow DC charging speed makes it a poor choice for long drives. Neither car is particularly standout to look at, but if you prioritise value and everyday practicality over driving thrills, you will find plenty to like in both.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

From prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

From prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Choose it for

  • Its smooth hybrid engine, generous standard equipment including a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen and Infinity sound system, and plenty of passenger room.

Worth knowing

  • The ride can feel unsettled around town and across broken surfaces, and it leans through corners.

Choose it for

  • A fully electric setup, responsive infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay, and a roomy cabin with loads of storage upfront.

Worth knowing

  • DC charging is slow, and body lean on twisty roads means it is not the most sure-footed to drive.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

Standard kit

  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Leather seats
    Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
  • Tow hitch
    A fitted towbar for pulling a trailer, caravan or bike rack.
  • Android auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.

Key information

Body type SUVs Body type SUVs
Available fuel types Hybrid Available fuel types Electric
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 425 litres - 3 suitcases Boot space, seats up
Boot space, seats down 1,440 litres Boot space, seats down
External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,775 mm x 1,890 mm x 1,670 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,380 mm x 1,860 mm x 1,650 mm
Towing capacity 750 kg Towing capacity
First year tax rate £115 First year tax rate £10 Best
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.7 miles / kWh
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.7 miles / kWh
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
403.9 mpg
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
248 miles
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 60.9 kWh
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 32 · high Best
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 34 · high
Show full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 DM-i Auto Engine name 155kW 61kWh Auto
Engine size 1.5 L Hybrid • 218 BHP Engine size Electric • 207 BHP
Body type SUVs Body type SUVs
Fuel type Hybrid Fuel type Electric
Transmission Automatic Transmission Automatic
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 1
Acceleration 8.9 s (0-60 mph) Acceleration 7.7 s (0-60 mph) Best
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 60.9 kWh
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
248 miles

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 425 litres Boot (seats up)
Boot (seats down) 1,440 litres Boot (seats down)
Length 4,775 mm Length 4,380 mm
Width 1,890 mm Width 1,860 mm
Height 1,670 mm Height 1,650 mm
Wheelbase 2.77 m Wheelbase 2.62 m
Turning circle 5.5 m Turning circle

Full features list

  • Additional Metallic paint
  • Vegan leather - Black
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • Automatic emergency braking system
  • Brake override system (BOS)
  • Child presence detection
  • Comfort stop
  • Door open warning
  • Driver airbag
  • Electric parking brake
  • Force limiting pre-tensioned front seat belts
  • Front centre airbag
  • Front passenger airbag
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Front side airbags
  • Hill descent control
  • Hill hold control
  • Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
  • Hydraulic brake boost
  • Mechanical child safety lock
  • Rear middle seat force limiting seat belt
  • Rear seat belt pretensioners
  • Reflective vest
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Traction control system (TCS)
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)
  • Warning triangle
  • 12V power outlet
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 8 way electrically adjustable drivers seat
  • Adjustable rear headrests
  • Boot parcel shelf
  • Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Driver seat memory function
  • Front LED reading lights
  • Front centre armrest with 2 cupholders
  • Front passenger seat with 4-way electric adjustment
  • Front seat footlights
  • Heat pump
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • ISOFIX and i-Size for front passenger and outer rear seats
  • Integrated headrest in front seats
  • LED front door lights
  • Nylon floor mats
  • PM2.5 air filter
  • PM2.5 air purification system
  • Rear air vents
  • Rear armrest with 2 cupholders
  • Rear side LED reading lights
  • Rhythm-reactive multi-colour ambient lighting
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Split folding rear seats - 40/60
  • Vegan leather multifunction steering wheel
  • Vegan leather upholstery
  • Ventilated front seats
  • 2 x Smart keys
  • Alarm and immobiliser (Thatcham category 1)
  • Automatic door locking
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • 12.3" TFT full LCD instrument panel
  • 360 camera
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
  • Automatic vehicle hold
  • BYD voice control assistant "Hi, BYD"
  • Blind spot detection
  • Controlled deceleration parking (CDP)
  • Drive mode select (Eco, normal, sport, snow)
  • Electric tailgate release
  • Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
  • Forward collision warning
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Front cross traffic alert and front cross traffic brake
  • Head up Display
  • Indirect driver fatigue management
  • Intelligent speed limit control (ISLC)
  • Keyless system entry and start
  • Lane Departure Assistant (LDA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane change assist
  • Lane departure prevention
  • Lane keep assist
  • Power assisted steering
  • Predictive collision warning
  • Rear collision warning
  • Rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake
  • Rollover Control System (RMI)
  • Smartphone wireless charging, 2 x 15W
  • Traffic sign recognition (TSR)
  • Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function
  • e-Call (emergency call)
  • Aluminium roof rails
  • Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
  • Auto headlamps (on/off)
  • Dynamic welcome lights
  • Electric folding and heated door mirrors
  • Emergency tow hook
  • Exterior mirror footlights
  • Follow me home headlights (The headlights turned on in advance and delayed off function)
  • Front windscreen, UV protection, thermal insulation and sound proofing
  • High beam assist
  • LED 3rd brake light
  • LED Headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED taillights
  • Metallic paint
  • One touch electric front/rear windows with pinch protection
  • Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch sensor and electrically adjustable sunshade
  • Rain sensor windscreen wipers
  • Rear fog lights
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear window and rear windscreen with tinted glass
  • Rear wiper
  • 19" Bi-colour alloy wheels
  • Tyre nut covers remover
  • Tyre repair kit
  • 11kW on board charger
  • Home charging cable 3pin
  • Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)
  • 15.6" Electrically rotatable touchscreen
  • FM/DAB+ radio
  • Front USB ports, 1 x 18W Type C, 1 x 60W Type C
  • Infinity sound system with 10 speakers
  • Rear USB ports, 2 x 18W Type C
  • Cloth - Black
  • Special metallic paint
  • 3 point seatbelts on all seats
  • 4 x isofix
  • Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • BAS (Brake Assist System)
  • Child locks
  • Curtain Airbag
  • Dual front airbags
  • Electronic Stability Programme
  • Electronic brake force distribution
  • Electronic parking brake with auto hold
  • Front centre airbag
  • Front side airbags
  • Height adjustable front seatbelts
  • Passenger airbag manual switch off
  • Power limited seatbelts with pre-tensioners, height adjustable with CLT
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Automatic door locking
  • Engine immobiliser
  • Keyless start button
  • PEPS (passive entry and passive start)
  • Auto high beam
  • Automatic headlights
  • Body colour door handles
  • Electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors
  • Electrically height adjustable headlights
  • Follow me home headlight function
  • Halogen headlights
  • Heated front washer nozzles
  • Heated rear window
  • Hidden front wiper - auto speed adjusting
  • High level LED brake light
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • Manual dimming rear view mirror
  • Metallic paint
  • One touch window function for all doors
  • Rear roof spoiler
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear wiper
  • Remote opening windows (With key and App)
  • Silent glass - windscreen and front side windows
  • Single rear fog light
  • 12v power outlet - front
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 4 way manual adjustable steering column
  • 6 Way manually adjustable driver and passenger seat
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat backrest
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Dual zone automatic air conditioning
  • Folding Flat second row seats
  • Front armrest with interal storage and upper storage tray
  • Front headrests
  • Front reading light
  • Luggage compartment light
  • Multi function steering wheel
  • Non load capacity roof rack
  • Rear headrests
  • Rear reading lights
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Synthetic leather steering wheel
  • Vehicle to load system in boot
  • 13.2" central LCD display
  • 3 driving modes Normal, Eco, Sport
  • 540 degree panoramic view camera
  • 8.8 LCD instrument cluster
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind spot detection
  • Bluetooth handsfree system
  • Connected satelite navigation
  • DAI Forward Departure System
  • Driver monitoring system
  • E-call safety system
  • Electric power steering
  • Emergency lane keep assist
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Front collision warning
  • ICA - integrated cruise assist
  • Intelligent elude system
  • Lane departure prevention
  • Lane departure warning
  • Multiple collision defence system
  • Over the air (OTA) functionality
  • Rear crossing traffic braking
  • Rear crossing traffic warning
  • Rear view camera with dynamic guidelines
  • Remote wake up and HVAC function (with key and App)
  • Speed limit reminder
  • Traffic jam avoidance assistant
  • Voice control system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Independent rear suspension
  • 18" Alloy wheels
  • Puncture repair kit
  • 1 X rear USB (Type A)
  • 2 x Front USB, 1 x Type A, 1 x Type C (fast charging)
  • 6 speaker audio system
  • DAB Digital radio
  • Dark colour interior

From prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

From prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.