The BYD SEAL U DM-i scooped two awards at the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026, being named the Best Value New Car and also taking the top prize in the Best In-Car Technology category.
While the winners of many car awards are determined by expert car reviewers, the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards are different in that the judging is carried out by the people whose opinion matters most: car owners. This year, over 160,000 UK car owners completed an online survey sharing exactly what they think of their car, with their thoughts and opinions (obtained from real-world experience) determining the winners of 20 of this year’s 24 award categories.
On accepting the prize, Steve Beattie, Deputy Country Manager for BYD UK, said: “It’s a huge privilege to accept both awards for the SEAL U DM-i, and the fact that they have been decided by the people who have bought and lived with our cars makes it even more special. I’d like to thank Autotrader and their readers, plus all of the BYD retailers and internal team that has made the ownership experience such a pleasure for our customers. Most of all, I’d like to thank the BYD owners themselves for telling Autotrader just how highly they rate their cars.”
Rory Reid, Autotrader’s YouTube Director, said: “The BYD Seal U stood out to owners for delivering strong overall value, combining a highly efficient hybrid drivetrain with a generous level of standard equipment. It’s clear from the feedback that drivers feel they’re getting a lot for their money.
“It also impressed when it comes to in-car technology, with features that enhance the driving experience and are easy to live with day to day. This combination of value and thoughtful technology has clearly resonated with UK car owners, making it a deserving winner of two highly competitive categories.”
Arriving in 2024, the SEAL U DM-i was the fourth car to join the BYD UK lineup, and the first to introduce BYD’s Dual Mode-intelligent technology. Year to date in 2026, it has become the best-selling vehicle in the BYD model range.
