BYD Seal U vs Nissan Qashqai

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
A familiar family choice, and effortlessly easy
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

When you are shopping for a family SUV, the BYD Seal U and the Nissan Qashqai take very different routes to get your attention. The BYD leans heavily into plug-in hybrid efficiency, a generous equipment list and plenty of space for passengers. On the other hand, the Nissan is a familiar face that majors on an easy-going driving experience, sensible practicality and a fuss-free interior with physical switchgear. While the BYD brings an impressive electric range and plenty of kit for your money, it can feel unsettled on bumpy roads. The Nissan counters with comfortable ride manners and a solid cabin, though its boot space trails some rivals.

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 plug-in hybrid system offering strong electric-only range capabilities, alongside an extensive list of standard equipment including ventilated front seats and a large rotating touchscreen.

Worth knowing

  • The ride can feel lumpy around town and unsettled over broken surfaces, while the handling lacks inspiration on country roads.

Choose it for

  • Its comfortable, predictable driving manners at any speed and a sensible interior layout that relies on plenty of physical switchgear for ease of use.

Worth knowing

  • The boot space is a bit poky compared to some alternatives, as Nissan has prioritised legroom over cargo capacity.

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.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • 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 Petrol
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 425 litres - 3 suitcases Boot space, seats up 504 litres - 4 suitcases Best
Boot space, seats down 1,440 litres Boot space, seats down 1,447 litres Best
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) 4,425 mm x 1,835 mm x 1,625 mm
Towing capacity 750 kg Towing capacity 1,680 kg Best
First year tax rate £115 Best First year tax rate £560
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).
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.
44.8 mpg
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size
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
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 21 · average Best
Show full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 DM-i Auto Engine name 1.3 DiG-T MH 158
Engine size 1.5 L Hybrid • 218 BHP Engine size 1.3 L Petrol • 158 BHP
Body type SUVs Body type SUVs
Fuel type Hybrid Fuel type Petrol
Transmission Automatic Transmission Manual
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 6
Acceleration 8.9 s (0-60 mph) Best Acceleration 9.5 s (0-60 mph)
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size

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) 504 litres Best
Boot (seats down) 1,440 litres Boot (seats down) 1,447 litres Best
Length 4,775 mm Length 4,425 mm
Width 1,890 mm Width 1,835 mm
Height 1,670 mm Height 1,625 mm
Wheelbase 2.77 m Wheelbase 2.67 m
Turning circle 5.5 m Turning circle 11.1 m

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
  • Additional special metallic paint
  • Cloth - Black
  • Metallic paint
  • Pearlescent paint
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters
  • ABS with EBD and brake assist
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Curtain and front side, far side airbags
  • Driver and passenger airbags
  • Driver, passenger and 2nd row rear seat belt reminder
  • Electric handbrake with auto hold function
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters
  • Height adjustable front seatbelts
  • Hill start assist
  • Intelligent blind spot intervention
  • Intelligent rear automatic braking
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Vehicle dynamic control
  • intelligent front emergency braking
  • Engine immobiliser
  • Intelligent key with walk away lock and approach unlock functions
  • Remote central door locking with deadlocking
  • Thatcham alarm
  • Limited slip differential
  • Blind spot warning
  • Drive assist custom mode
  • Drive modes (sport, normal, eco)
  • Driver drowsiness and attention warning
  • Electric speed sensitive power steering
  • Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
  • Emergency and breakdown call
  • Emergency lane keep assist
  • Engine start/stop button
  • Event data recorder
  • Full Digital 12.3" TFT Digital Combimeter
  • Idle stop/start system
  • Intelligent Cruise control (ICC)
  • Intelligent driver alert system
  • Intelligent forward collision warning
  • Intelligent lane intervention
  • Intelligent speed assist
  • Lane departure warning system
  • Maximum speed limiter
  • Nissan connect 12.3 inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Outside temperature sensor
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Rear view camera
  • Reversing detection
  • Traffic sign recognition with legal speed adjustment
  • Trip computer
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
  • 12v power socket in dashboard and luggage
  • 3 bench rear seats in 2nd row
  • 3 rear headrests
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat bench
  • Chrome interior door handles
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Dual zone automatic climate control with pollen filter
  • Electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver
  • Front centre console and armrest
  • Front cupholders
  • Front door with bottle holders
  • Height adjustable driver seat
  • Height adjustable front headrests
  • Height adjustable passenger seat
  • Leather shift knob
  • Luggage space lighting
  • Multifunction steering wheel
  • Passenger seat back pocket
  • Rear door bottle holders
  • Single front passenger seat
  • TEP steering wheel
  • Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel
  • Two rear isofix child seat anchorage points with top tether
  • White ambient light (Partial area coverage)
  • 2 front USB-C ports
  • 6 speakers
  • AM/FM audio system with DAB
  • Bluetooth audio streaming
  • Additional pearlescent paint
  • Auto rear wiper when reversing
  • Body coloured door handles
  • Bodyside mouldings
  • Chrome side window finisher
  • Electric auto folding door mirrors
  • Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with LED turn indicator
  • Follow me home headlights
  • Gloss black mirror caps
  • High beam assist
  • Intelligent auto headlights
  • LED 3rd brake light
  • LED Headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • Manual dimming framed interior rear view mirror
  • One touch front and rear electric windows with remote opening and closing
  • One touch passenger window
  • Partially body coloured bumpers
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Rear roof spoiler
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Shark fin antenna
  • Splash free rain sensing wipers
  • Three blink turn signal
  • 17" Alloy wheels
  • Tyre puncture repair kit

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.