The BYD Yangwang U8 is one of the best full-size EREV SUVs that you can purchase right now!
Overview
What is It?
The BYD Yangwang U8 is a full-size luxury SUV sold by BYD under the Yangwang brand. This U8 model is a brand new product and one of the most popular ones in this full-size segment.
All this because of the incredible design that is attributed to Wolfgang Egger. He is the man behind a lot of legendary Audi and Lamborghini models. And now he works for BYD.
Since 2017, he has been employed by BYD as a chief designer. With his help, BYD designed many of the current BYD models, as well as the new Yangwang models.
Overall, the Yangwang U8 was conceived as a proper overlanding vehicle that can even float on water!
BYD? Say What?
BYD is a company that is getting more and more recognition in China, as well as in the rest of the world.
This is due to the fact that they make some incredible cars. Especially electric and plug-in hybrid models that look and perform as no other brand in the industry.
In the past, BYD was a battery manufacturer and they entered the car making world in 2003 when they purchased a small scale car manufacturer from Norinco, China.
Since then, they have grown rapidly and nowadays they are the largest EV manufacturer in the world. Ahead of Tesla!
In 2023, they launched their Yangwang brand. This is a brand that is a spin-off from the original BYD and this brand offers some really premium models.
Such as the U8 that we cover in this article. This is one premium SUV that looks and performs as such. And also costs a lot, making it the most expensive EV that China currently makes.
What About the Looks?
The design of the U8 is very modern and eye-catching. This SUV will attract attention wherever it goes.
The U8 has a huge presence on the road with its bold look. The front end is muscular and the model implements some really unique approach when it comes to the design of the grille and the headlights.
The side profile is really nice and the door handles sit flush with the body. Overall, the design of the side profile looks quite similar to the approach that Toyota took with the new Land Cruiser.
The rear end is also really nicely designed. It is unique in terms of its taillight design, as well as with the implementation of a full-size spare. Something that is a rarity nowadays in the industry.
Overall, the U8 looks really nice and will definitely attract a ton of buyers.
And to Drive?
An area where the U8 shines is in terms of driving. Specifically off-road driving. With this SUV, you will enjoy the off-road courses even more.
This SUV is equipped with four electric motors that deliver power to each of the wheels. And this SUV can even do some acrobatics, such as the tank turn. Which is an incredible thing to experience. And also quite a useful thing that will help you in some situations if you are stuck.
Do You Think You Will Take It to Heart?
Many Chinese brands are releasing a ton of new products and are trying to enter markets like Europe and the Middle East.
But they are often regarded as low quality and cheap. Which actually is not the case if you do your research and learn more about the models.
Chinese automakers have moved a long way since those times and nowadays their products are on par with the European car makers.
This is the case because China invested heavily in the know-how and hired some top professionals. Such as Wolfgang Egger, the chief designer at BYD. And there are hundreds of engineers such as him.
In addition to this, BYD products, since they are sold in Europe, have to comply with the Euro NCAP safety tests. And many of the BYD products have scored 5/5 stars overall. Making them extremely safe.
What ‘s in a Name?
Yangwang is BYD’s luxury brand. These are the vehicles that are top of the line in the electric car world.
And the name Yangwang means “to look up to”, or “express admiration”. So, you get the idea why BYD chose this name for their luxury division.
You Mention High-Tech?
When it comes to high-tech in the EV market, BYD is probably one of the car manufacturers that is leading the game. They offer some features that other carmakers can only dream of. Specifically in the battery department.
We know how EV batteries work. There are modules and all of these modules are packed up in a single battery.
But BYD batteries work without modules. Instead of BYD stacking the battery cells into modules, they stack them into arrays. And then stack all these arrays in a single battery module.
This approach has many advantages but the main ones are ease of production and also reducing the weight of the battery unit.
Another advanced technology that BYD is using are the lithium, iron phosphate electrodes (LFP). While the competition is using lithium, manganese, cobalt electrodes (LMC).
The advantage of BYD electrodes is that they can heat up quite a lot and not end up damaged. Which allows their batteries to be charged at very high-speeds.
The U8 model specifically features four electric motors that allow this vehicle to do maneuvers such as the tank turn and torque delivery is simply incredible.
What’s the Verdict?
Overall, the BYD Yangwang U8 has impressed us in a ton of different aspects. This SUV looks, feels, and drives like a proper off-roader.
The U8 is a premium model, which means that it packs everything it possibly can in terms of performance and also in terms of technology.
The exterior design is really modern and follows the latest trends in the industry. The cabin is extremely well insulated and the interior is incredible.
When it comes to its driving characteristics, this SUV will do anything you want, acceleration, driving off-road, in mud, in snow, and can even float on water.
Yes, that’s right the U8 can sail on water. Although BYD discourages this and only advises to use this feature in case of a flood!
Overall, an excellent vehicle that you should definitely take into consideration when buying the most expensive EV out there.
Price and Specs
How Much Does BYD Yanwang U8 Cost?
The U8 Yangwang is a pretty expensive vehicle. In China this model costs about 1.1 million Yuan. Which in dollars is about $150,000.
It is easily one of the most expensive EVs that China can offer right now. And with import fees, the price can increase substantially.
Specs:
| Price: $150,000 | Release Year: 2023 |
| Engine: ICE + Quad Electric Motors | Top Speed: 200 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 3.6 seconds | Power: 1,084 hp |
| Torque: 1,280 Nm | Range: 1,000 km |
Driving
What is It Like to Drive?
Driving the BYD Yanwang U8 is no different compared to other EVs. This model is an EREV. Which means that it implements an internal combustion engine and a battery pack.
This makes the center of gravity of the model really low and the driving is overall well balanced, especially on uneven terrains such as off-road courses.
The acceleration is incredible with this model. You need only 3.6 seconds to take off from 0 to 100 km/h.
Where this model really shines is in terms of off-road. This model can do tank turns and rotate around, as well as float on water, pretty incredible stuff!
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What About the Steering?
The steering feel of the BYD Yangwang U8 is extremely light and well calibrated. Although the U8 weighs a lot, when driving the model, it feels like a much lighter vehicle.
And turning around corners is a real pleasure, the steering self centers intuitively and you basically do not feel any discomfort at all.
A downside is the increased body roll while taking corners. But this is understandable since the vehicle is a full-size SUV that is pretty heavy. So, the body simply pulls on the side when you are cornering at higher speeds.
Talk to Me About the Ride?
Although very large, the BYD Yangwang U8 is an extremely good cruiser. With this model, you don’t feel the bumps on the road.
The suspension is specifically designed for off-road driving and tackling uneven terrain. So, the overall feedback that you get is something that you cannot get with a regular crossover SUV.
We really recommend this model to those who want to experience off-road as it should be experienced. These quad electric motors will deliver the thrill you need in your life!
And the EV Efficiency?
The BYD Yangwang U8 is an EREV. For those who don’t know, this is a different setup than a plug-in hybrid or an EV.
With this setup, the electric motor works as a generator that is generating electric power and charges up the battery.
The internal combustion engine does not deliver power to the wheels. This means that you run only in EV mode.
And the fuel economy on a full tank of gas and a full battery is about 1,000 km. If you want to drive only on the battery, you will be getting up to 180 km of range.
What About Steering the BYD Yangwang U8 Yourself?
Driving the BYD Yangwang U8 is extremely easy. With this model you don’t have to use a gear shifter and a clutch.
Just put the lever into drive and apply the foot on the throttle, simple as that, the car will move forward.
And since this is a vehicle powered on electric power, you don’t even need brakes. The car stops once you release the foot from the throttle.
Is the Range Good?
The range that the BYD Yangwang U8 delivers is incredible. This model will give you a range of 1,000 km.
And if you only want to use battery power, you will get an overall range of 180 km. Which is decent performance.
Interior
What is It Like on the Inside?
The interior of the BYD Yangwang U8 is simply beautiful. This model is probably one of the most luxurious vehicles that money can buy.
The interior is filled with high quality materials. The roof of the cabin is covered in suede and the seats are covered in high-quality leather.
The dash has an incredible design, we simply love what BYD did with the design. It is like no other competitor out there.
There are many screens in the cabin. Three on the dash and two behind the front seats. The ones who are after tech will not be disappointed at all. Overall, the interior is really something special in this model.
Is the BYD Yangwang U8 Easy to Use ?
Yes, the BYD Yangwang U8 is extremely easy to use. This is due to the fact that there are almost no procedures that you need to do in order to get moving.
Just put the SUV in drive and apply the throttle. Simple as that. The interior is also very functional and easy to use.
The menus are very intuitive and the software is extremely snappy and responsive. Overall, great user experience.
But Where’s the Instrument Panel?
The BYD Yangwang U8 is an EREV, which means that it works as an electric car. And since this is such a vehicle, you don’t have a classic instrument panel.
With this model you have a digital screen for the cluster. On this screen you have all the essential data you need, such as, charge, range, speed, warning lights, etc.
Is It Spacious?
Yes, the Yangwang U8 is an extremely spacious vehicle. This is a full-size vehicle, meaning that it is one of the largest cars on the road.
The cabin is very comfortable and inside you will never feel claustrophobic. Inside you can seat up to 7 people, which is excellent.
Cargo space is also pretty good, better than 99% of the SUVs out there.
How’s the Build Quality?
The build quality of the BYD Yangwang U8 is one of its key selling points. This model is simply filled with expensive materials.
The interior is covered in suede and leather, every panel is high quality and also very well put together. This vehicle costs a lot of money, so BYD invested heavily in making the experience one of the best out there.
Buying
What Should I Be Paying?
The BYD Yangwang is one of the most expensive models that BYD ever released. It will cost about $150,000 in China.
Although the price of this model can increase if you want to import it to Europe for example. With import fees this vehicle could easily end up costing 180,000 or 200,000 euros.
What Does Charging Cost?
The cost to charge your BYD Yangwang U8 really depends on the country you live in. Since every country has different prices for a kWh of electricity.
So, you can calculate the price by the kWh. For example, in the UK a full charge of a 100 kWh battery will cost around 19 British pounds. Since the Yangwang has a 49 kWh battery, you can expect to pay up to 10 pounds to charge the battery.
How Long Will Charging Take?
The BYD Yangwang U8 does not need to be charged. The internal combustion engine that is inside this SUV charges the battery.
But if you want to charge it on a fast charger, you can expect it to charge from 20 to 80% in only 20 minutes or so, since this is a smaller 49 kWh battery pack.
What About Rivals?
Rivals to the Yangwang U8 are the Voyah Free and the Li Auto L9. The Li L9 is one serious competitor to the U8 when it comes to range and premium materials.
The only thing that model lacks is off-road performance, where the U8 basically shines.
