One of the best parts of our job is undeniably having the opportunity to try out a variety of innovative models. I recently had the chance to take the SEAL U DM-i home with me and decided to put it to the ultimate test: seeing how it fit into my usual routine.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing more exhilarating than seeing exactly what a car can do when pushed to its limits, but to gain a true perspective on a vehicle, we need to see how it can complement our day-to-day lifestyle.
Enjoying the journey, not just the destination
The first thing I did was drive home from work, a nice 15-mile journey that takes me from Exeter to Teignmouth, and is usually the 25-minute period of the day where all I’m thinking about is getting home and deciding what to have for dinner. But with the SEAL U DM-i, the journey suddenly became as exciting as the destination.
I spent the entire journey in ultimate comfort, with the ambient lights set to fit my mood in the cabin, the seat easily manoeuvred into the perfect ergonomic position for me after sitting at a desk for eight hours, and ‘Hi BYD’ helping me choose the perfect radio station. I experimented with the rotating screen to find out what apps worked best in what orientation, deciding that landscape is best for the map, and portrait is best for the radio or karaoke. I was happy to find that, despite the size of the screen, I didn’t feel that it posed any sense of distraction.
From the commute to food shopping, a visit to my parents’ and a house viewing, the SEAL U DM-i offered a unique experience that I can’t recommend enough.
Driving performance
Not only was I able to experience the benefits of all the tech in the cabin, I could get a feel for how the car handles different types of roads, from city driving to dual carriageway, winding B-roads to coastal streets.
One of my favourite aspects of driving the SEAL U DM-i is the seamlessness. The acceleration is smooth, stable, and steady. The cabin is almost silent, but when the engine kicks in, there’s a reassuring purr that lets you know the power is unwavering. There’s no hesitation when you’re pulling away from a standstill, and despite its size, the SEAL U DM-i offers a consistent acceleration regardless of speed.
Winding roads are no struggle for this car; you can feel the tyres gripping the road as you manoeuvre twists and turns, and there’s no question on its ability to seamlessly get back up to speed.
Safe and secure
The dynamic build of the car makes you feel safe and protected, thanks to its solid stance. On top of this, the safety features that come as standard gives you a justified sense of security. For dual carriageway or motorway driving, the adaptive cruise control is a game changer. If the car in front of you slows down, the car will automatically recognise and reflect this by slowing you down, speeding you back up to your set speed once there’s enough space again.
Other safety and driving assistance features include lane keep assist, blind spot detection, lane change assist, front and rear collision warning, and predictive collision warning. All of these features are working in the background to keep you as safe as possible, without you having to lift a finger. Features such as the heated steering wheel and vehicle-to-load technology just add to the experience, making life as convenient and stress-free as possible.
Conclusion
On top of all of the features that come as standard on this car, there’s something to be said for the sense of exhilaration you feel when driving. Driving is no longer a means to an end; it’s an enjoyable experience. Even those who don’t particularly enjoy driving will experience an entirely different perspective after driving the SEAL U DM-i.
This head-turning car is the perfect model to offer a transition into sustainable driving for those unsure of committing to fully-electric.
To experience your own life-changing drive, get in touch with our teams and see how the BYD SEAL U DM-i can complement your lifestyle.
