BYD Seal U vs Volvo EX30

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
Compact and minimalist, with serious city charm
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

Choosing between the BYD Seal U and the Volvo EX30 comes down to whether you prioritise generous interior space or striking minimalist style. Both cars offer good value for money and come with plenty of tech, but they take very different approaches to family transport. The BYD Seal U leans heavily into practicality with a roomy cabin and a plug-in hybrid setup, though its ride can feel unsettled and its styling is somewhat anonymous. On the other hand, the Volvo EX30 charms you with its cool downtown studio apartment aesthetic and supreme comfort around town, but you will have to contend with a tight back seat and a boot that trails behind larger 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 generous passenger space, loads of equipment, and smooth, refined hybrid engine that makes longer journeys flexible.

Worth knowing

  • The ride can feel lumpy around town and unsettled at speed on undulating roads.

Choose it for

  • Head-turning minimalist looks, a stylish cabin, and exceptional comfort when driving around town.

Worth knowing

  • Rear seat space is seriously compromised and almost every control is operated through the touchscreen.

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 Electric
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 425 litres - 3 suitcases Best Boot space, seats up 318 litres - 2 suitcases
Boot space, seats down 1,440 litres Best Boot space, seats down 1,000 litres
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) 4,233 mm x 1,953 mm x 1,573 mm
Towing capacity 750 kg Towing capacity 1,000 kg Best
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).
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.
209 miles
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 51 kWh
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Rear 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 33 · high
Show full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 DM-i Auto Engine name 200kW P5 51kWh Auto
Engine size 1.5 L Hybrid • 218 BHP Engine size Electric • 272 BHP
Body type SUVs Body type SUVs
Fuel type Hybrid Fuel type Electric
Transmission Automatic Transmission Automatic
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Rear wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 1
Acceleration 8.9 s (0-60 mph) Acceleration 5.7 s (0-60 mph) Best
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 51 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.
209 miles

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 425 litres Best Boot (seats up) 318 litres
Boot (seats down) 1,440 litres Best Boot (seats down) 1,000 litres
Length 4,775 mm Length 4,233 mm
Width 1,890 mm Width 1,953 mm
Height 1,670 mm Height 1,573 mm
Wheelbase 2.77 m Wheelbase 2.65 m
Turning circle 5.5 m Turning circle 11.2 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
  • Textile and Nordico - Indigo + Charcoal Headlining + Denim Deco Panel + Blue Air Vent Trim
  • Auto folding heated frameless power door mirrors
  • Automatic LED Headlights + Active high beam incorporating daytime running lights
  • Black door mirrors
  • LED 3rd brake light
  • Metallic paint
  • Rain sensor with automatic windscreen wiper activation
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear wiper
  • Variable intermittent wiper
  • 3 point rear seatbelts
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Collision avoidance and mitigation by braking and steering
  • Door opening alert
  • Driver and passenger airbags
  • First aid kit
  • Hill descent control
  • Hill start assist
  • IC (Inflatable Curtains) - Full Length
  • Inner driver seat side airbag
  • Passenger airbag cut-off switch
  • Post-impact Braking
  • Rear collision warning and mitigation (RCWM)
  • Road sign information display
  • Run off Road Mitigation
  • SIPS (Side Impact Protection System)
  • Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters (Front and Outer Rear Seats)
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • WHIPS whiplash protection system - front
  • Warning triangle
  • 2 x NFC Access cards
  • Anti-theft alarm including immobiliser/volume sensor + level sensor
  • Digital key
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • Remote door locking and unlocking
  • 12.3" centre console portrait touch screen
  • 3 x Front and 2 x rear radars plus front vision camera
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Android auto wireless
  • Blind spot information system with steer assist (BLIS)
  • Bluetooth handsfree system
  • Collision avoidance at intersection
  • Cross traffic alert with brake support (Front and Rear)
  • Driver alert control with lane keeping aid
  • Driver understanding system
  • Emergency call service
  • Forward collision warning
  • Front and rear park assist
  • Google automotive services - Enabled entertainment apps, navigation with google maps, voice recognition with google assistant
  • Intelligent speed assist
  • Power assisted steering
  • Rear park assist camera
  • Speed limiter
  • Volvo cars connect
  • Volvo cars services with app
  • Wireless apple carplay
  • 1 Zone electronic climate control
  • 12V socket in luggage compartment
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Central glovebox and storage
  • Fixed lumbar support
  • Flexible load floor
  • Floor mats
  • Fore/Aft, height and backrest recline adjustable driver and front passenger seats
  • Front cupholders and storage
  • Front head restraints
  • Front load compartment (19 litres)
  • Height/reach adjustable steering column
  • ISOFIX attachment on outer rear seats
  • Mid level illumination (central tunnel light, front and rear cabin and reading lights, front door panel pocket light, luggage light)
  • Multifunction steering wheel
  • One pedal drive
  • Removable rear headrests
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Textile and Nordico upholstery
  • Vehicle 2 load capability
  • Versatile split folding rear seat - 60/40
  • 11kW 3-Phase On Board Charger
  • 5m 3 phase 32 amp type 2 / mode 3 charge cable
  • Comfort chassis
  • Plug and charge
  • Recharging port located in nearside rear wing
  • DAB Digital radio
  • External couple subwoofer
  • High performance audio 100W, (2 front type C USB sockets, dashboard soundbar with 4 speakers)
  • Low speed exterior sound speaker
  • 18" 5 Spoke aero alloy wheels with summer tyres
  • Tyre sealant kit and compressor

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.