Sat | Nov 23, 2024

BYD Yuan Plus Delivers Unique Features and Premium Comfort

Published:Sunday | January 7, 2024 | 12:05 AMKareem LaTouche - Automotives Coordinator
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There are three dynamic driving modes that redefine the electric experience.”
Kareem Latouche
There are three dynamic driving modes that redefine the electric experience.”
Charge on! The BYD Yuan Plus conquers range anxiety with 298 miles of electric wanderlust. Hit the road and let the open highway be your recharge.
Kareem Latouche
Charge on! The BYD Yuan Plus conquers range anxiety with 298 miles of electric wanderlust. Hit the road and let the open highway be your recharge.
Forget tiny screens, the BYD Yuan Plus boasts a 12.8-inch infotainment giant that swivels for portrait or landscape viewing. Navigation on a grand scale? Yes, please.
Kareem Latouche
Forget tiny screens, the BYD Yuan Plus boasts a 12.8-inch infotainment giant that swivels for portrait or landscape viewing. Navigation on a grand scale? Yes, please.
Panoramic views, minus the sunburn. Soak in the scenery with the BYD Yuan Plus’s sunroof, then close it up at a whim for instant shade.
Kareem Latouche
Panoramic views, minus the sunburn. Soak in the scenery with the BYD Yuan Plus’s sunroof, then close it up at a whim for instant shade.
Strings that sing and doors that pop: the BYD Yuan Plus blends musical flair with futuristic function, making every exit an entrance.
Kareem Latouche
Strings that sing and doors that pop: the BYD Yuan Plus blends musical flair with futuristic function, making every exit an entrance.
Gym rats rejoice! The BYD Yuan Plus interior redefines sleek with weight-inspired handles and a gear shifter that feels like you’re sculpting the open road.
Kareem Latouche
Gym rats rejoice! The BYD Yuan Plus interior redefines sleek with weight-inspired handles and a gear shifter that feels like you’re sculpting the open road.
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Build Your Dreams (BYD), a Chinese company founded in 1995, is intent on expanding its imprint by having dealerships in several countries. They are also not naive about how the auto industry works, and as such, are packing as much ‘bang for the buck’ as possible.

Ditching the boxy SUV stereotype, the BYD Yuan Plus is a head-turning electric vehicle with a playful and modern exterior. Its sleek “Dragon Face 3.0” front end, complete with sharp headlights and a closed grille, speaks volumes about its electric identity.

Look closely and you’ll find hidden gems like taillights that integrate seamlessly into the rear hatch for a clean look and a panoramic sunroof that lets you soak in the sun or shut it out at will. The BYD Yuan Plus is an electric SUV but looks more like a crossover that breaks the mould, whispering “I’m not your average EV” with every sleek line, playful detail, and sporty accent.

Driving Modes

Choose your adventure with three distinct driving modes. Eco sips energy like a hummingbird, perfect for extending your range while keeping things mellow. Sport unleashes the inner beast, transforming the Yuan Plus into a zippy rocket, but be prepared for that battery gauge to plummet! Normal mode strikes the perfect balance, offering comfortable cruising with the option to engage the most aggressive regenerative braking for a one-pedal driving experience. I spent most of my time driving in Eco mode as I was making a round trip from Kingston to St Elizabeth without charging.

Interior Design

BYD may not be a luxury brand, but stepping inside the Yuan Plus feels like entering a modern art gallery. The interior is a symphony of unique details from the gym-inspired weight-like door handles and gear shifter to the guitar string door pockets and hidden speaker-equipped door panels. Even the air vents boast a cool vertical design that screams “I’m different!”

The 12.8-inch infotainment display is a showstopper, and the display can swivel between landscape and portrait modes, putting everything you need at your fingertips in a gloriously large and Apple-esque interface. The model I tested had six speakers and produced a pure sound . Feeling fancy? Say “Hey, BYD” and command the car to adjust the AC, roll down the windows, or play your favourite tune - all in English, no awkward language barriers here.

Spacious Interior

Don’t let the compact exterior fool you. The Yuan Plus packs a spacious punch inside. The long wheelbase (longer than both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4) ensures ample legroom even for lanky passengers in the back. Cargo space is generous, too, with a clever two-level floor maximising your packing potential. No spare tyre, but hey, you can’t have everything.

Range and Charging

I got the vehicle with a range of 473 km with a battery percentage of 98. On my journey to Treasure Beach via Gutters, St Catherine, on both legs, I came back to Kingston with a range of 57km and a battery percentage of 12. So in the end, I got around 350km because I made some detours along the way, plus the vehicle was fully loaded. This might be where ‘range anxiety’ develops for the average person because the figure does fluctuate before your eyes as you are driving. The good thing with the Yuan Plus is that it gives good range regardless.

Keep in mind that the CCS1 level 2 ports at the Evergo Stations are not compatible with the vehicle. However, I was told by the dealership that the ports at the JPS charging stations are compatible. Either way, ensure that you test the various charging brands for peace of mind.

The BYD Yuan Plus is an electric crossover that carves its own path. It is playful, practical, and surprisingly luxurious, with tech features that make you feel like you are in a futuristic command centre. While the charging speed could be faster, the overall package is undeniably compelling. If you are looking for an EV that breaks the mould and offers a unique driving experience, the Yuan Plus deserves a serious test drive.

With the hopes of converting more drivers to EV, All BYDs purchased through ATL Automotive come standard with a four-year service package (service applicable every 15,000km/1 year – whichever comes first); six-year manufacturer’s warranty and eight-year battery warranty. Also, buyers get a home-charging station (with complimentary installation) for ease of nightly charging and a mobile car charger to be kept in the car in case of emergencies

Price range: From $7.495m to $7.995m

Power: 201-hp and 228-lb-ft

Range: 475 km

Battery capacity: 50kWh

Transmission: FWD

Curb weight: 4,550lb

Body Type: Crossover hatchback

Competition: Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Nissan Leaf Plus

Vehicle provided by ATL Automotive, the local authorised dealer of BYD Jamaica, www.atlautomotive.com, email BYD@atlautomotive.com, call 888-ATL-AUTO (285-2886) or visit the up-and-coming BYD Showrooms at 38-42 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston or Bogue City Centre, Montego Bay.