BYD HAN: this is the Chinese electric saloon that challenges the very Tesla Model S

BYD could not have made a better debut on the Spanish market: no fewer than three models, the luxury saloon BYD HAN, the seven-seat SUV BYD Tang and the compact SUV BYD Atto 3. And all of them offer far more than an imposing presence and a technological load that allows them to rub shoulders with premium brand models.

In the case of the BYD HAN we are dealing with a 5-metre-long saloon and a wheelbase of 2.92 metres with an electric propulsion system that reaches 380 kW (517 CV) and 700 Nm of maximum torque, thanks to its two electric motors, one on each axle. There are not many electric cars with these characteristics, and those that exist carry the badge of brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla or Audi on their bonnet. But while we wait for the impressions we will get when we can drive it -which will be very soon-, the BYD seems ready to compete with them without complexes… beyond that difficult-to-quantify aspect of being a Chinese brand that is not yet known in Spain, however much of a global giant it may be, and with a presence in more than 70 countries.

Beyond its technical characteristics, including its price and equipment, if we have to judge the BYD HAN by what we have been able to see and touch at a static presentation, and by what the BYD Atto 3 -the only model of the brand we have been able to drive so far- conveyed to us, my recommendation can only be to include the brand as “one to watch” and to visit a dealership to see and try its models.

All-wheel drive and up to 521 km of WLTP range

The platform on which the BYD HAN is built is the same as that of the BYD TANG SUV, called e-Platform 3.0. Bosch, Brembo and DiSus-C are some of the renowned manufacturers to which BYD turns for its luxury saloon, responsible respectively for the integrated braking system, supplying the ventilated and drilled discs on both axles with 4-piston calipers, and the adaptive suspension with electronic control.

The motor on the front axle delivers 185 kW (245 CV), while the rear one produces 200 kW (272 CV), with a maximum torque of 350 Nm in both cases. With its 517 CV of total system power, the BYD HAN accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, while the top speed has been electronically limited to 180 km/h. The total weight is 2,250 kg, and the aerodynamic drag coefficient Cx stands at 0.233. This allows, unlike the BYD TANG, a very low homologated consumption in the combined cycle of 18.5 kWh/100 km.

Thanks to its lithium iron phosphate battery with a usable capacity of 85.4 kWh, the combined-cycle range is 521 km (662 in the urban cycle). The battery works at a nominal voltage of 570 volts, weighs 592 kg, and carries an 8-year or 200,000 km warranty. The heat pump is standard, as is the bidirectional V2L charging system, which allows electricity to be supplied to external devices with an output of up to 3 kW. The battery accepts fast charging at up to 120 kW, which allows going from 30% to 80% of its capacity in half an hour (from 10% to 80% in under 50 minutes).

The interior of the BYD HAN: quantity and quality

Once inside, the BYD HAN surprises even more than its imposing bodywork, with exquisite attention paid to the driver and passengers. With such size and wheelbase there are no space issues, although the boot, at 410 litres, is somewhat small relative to its exterior dimensions. But both the presentation and the visual quality and the perceived quality when touching the materials and the various controls live up to what you expect from a luxury car.

The upholstery, for example, is perforated Nappa leather, a material also found on the door trims. The look of the seats, with integrated headrests, is imposing. As is the 15.6-inch multimedia screen that presides over the dashboard, which you can position horizontally or vertically with just the press of a button.

Of course, it is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has menus in Spanish. It is complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and there is also a Head-Up Display that projects information directly onto the windscreen. Rear-seat passengers have an additional 7-inch touchscreen in the centre armrest to control the climate, the panoramic roof or the ambient lighting.

Prices and equipment of the BYD HAN

The BYD Han is on sale in the Spanish market with a starting price of 69,990 euros for the Executive version, and from 74,000 euros in the case of the Emerald Edition. As a launch promotion, the brand offers an extension of the warranty to 6 years or 150,000 km, plus an 11 kW charger.

The Executive versions have a truly comprehensive standard specification, including a panoramic roof, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, electronically controlled suspension, leather seats -the front ones with electric, ventilated and heated adjustment-, ambient interior lighting, a wireless phone charger, heat pump, ionizer and air purifier, a 12-speaker audio system, instrumentation projected onto the windscreen and intelligent cruise control. With the Emerald Edition finish, special trim is added with seats upholstered in an exclusive combination of suede and green leather, carbon-fibre trim in the same tone, and a wireless smartphone charger with fast charging (50 W).

Among the fully electric saloons with which the BYD HAN positions itself as an alternative -that is, those around 5 metres long and with at least 450 CV- we find models of the stature of the Tesla Model S, the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT or the Mercedes EQE, all of them with prices close to or above 100,000 euros.

BYD HAN – Image gallery