BYD Seal U vs Jaecoo 7: Which Chinese SUV is Worth Your Cash?

China is sending over some heavy-hitters in the SUV world, and two of its latest entries are making waves: the Jaecoo 7 and the BYD Seal U. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? We’re going to compare these car’s design, practicality and tech to find out.

Design: The bold and the bland

Style is an important deciding factor for many when buying an SUV, and one of these cars stands out a lot more than the other.

That would be the Jaecoo 7. Its boxy, bluff front end makes it look like it’s ready to take on anything you can throw at it. It’s not trying too hard, but it’s still got a funky charm that would look just as good in a London driveway as it would on an Instagram feed.

The BYD Seal U on the other hand is about as interesting to look at as a boiled chicken breast. It’s not an ugly car – it’s just anonymous. Imagine someone put all the generic SUV designs into a blender and whizzed them together. The result is a car that’ll get you from A to B but doesn’t make you want to look back at it after parking up.

Interior and Practicality: Space, Comfort, and Tech

When it comes to the Jaecoo 7, the interior feels nice and posh. There’s a good mix of quality materials, although a few flimsy bits – such as the column stalks – let the side down. Still, the clever storage solutions (including a tissue box under the centre console) make the cabin feel pretty practical. There’s also a good 500-litre boot, which might not beat the Hyundai Tucson’s 620 litres, but it’s certainly decent. However, rear-seat space could be better, especially if you plan on ferrying tall passengers.

In the BYD Seal U, the interior is more stylish than the exterior, with standout features like the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen. But while it’s packed with tech, the boot is pretty small at 425 lires. That said, there’s plenty of space for passengers up front and in the rear; the back seats do feel more spacious than the Jaecoo’s.

Engines and Driving: The Fun Factor (Or Lack Thereof)

Now for the interesting stuff: how do these things drive?

The Jaecoo 7 is available with petrol and hybrid engine options. The hybrid is the way to go, as the petrol engine feels a bit sluggish. Around town the PHEV can waft about on the electric power alone, and it offers enough grunt for overtaking on faster-moving roads – although it is a bit noisy as you rev it out. When it comes to handling, it’s not exactly thrilling. The light steering is great in town, but on a twisty road there’s not much feeling through it and the firm suspension makes it bouncy over bumps. It’s pleasant enough, but a Skoda Karoq is more comfortable.

In the BYD Seal U, the driving experience is a mixed bag. The hybrid engine is smooth around town, with decent electric-only range. But once you leave the urban jungle the soft suspension has it wallowing over bumps, and the light steering makes cornering feel like you’re at the helm of a cruiseliner. It’s not a great car to drive, and the Jaecoo is just a better all-rounder.

Prices and Equipment: Bang for Your Buck

So, which of these SUVs offers better value? The Jaecoo starts at just over £30,000. which is £5,000 less than alternatives like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008. It’s well-equipped, with features like adaptive cruise control, a panoramic roof, and a power tailgate all standard. Stepping up to the top spec gets you heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a premium sound system.

Meanwhile, the BYD Seal U starts from more than £33,000. It may be more expensive than the Jaecoo, however spec that car with the plug-in hybrid engine and it actually works out at around £2,000 more than the BYD. It’s packed with tech, including a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen, but the 7 does offer better value for money.

Winner: the Jaecoo 7

The BYD Seal U has a spacious interior and plenty of standard equipment, but it’s let down by the small boot and sub-par driving experience. It’s also pretty bland to look at.

The Jaecoo 7 looks more desirable, has a bigger boot, is much nicer to drive and it’s cheaper to buy. It may not be the most spacious in the rear seats, and the firm suspension hampers comfort on bumpy roads, but it’s still a solid all-rounder and it well worth a look if you’re after something a bit different.

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