Chinese automakers may have fallen short of dominating Europe’s pure electric car rankings last year, but they made a decisive breakthrough in the plug-in hybrid segment. In 2025, the BYD Seal U plug-in hybrid emerged as Europe’s best-selling PHEV, outperforming several long-established European nameplates.
Despite being in its first full year on sale in Europe, the midsize crossover quickly climbed to the top of the sales charts. Roughly comparable in size to the Tesla Model Y, the Seal U appealed to buyers across multiple markets and segments, underscoring BYD’s growing influence in Europe’s electrified vehicle landscape.
Outselling Established European Rivals
According to sales data from DataForce cited by Automotive News, BYD sold 72,667 units of the Seal U PHEV across Europe in 2025. That figure placed it ahead of long-standing competitors such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Volvo XC60, and Ford Kuga.
Volkswagen’s Tiguan PHEV followed closely with 65,899 units, benefiting from a sharp rebound in demand. The Volvo XC60 PHEV secured third place with 60,088 sales, while the Ford Kuga PHEV ranked fourth at 41,983 units.
What makes BYD’s performance notable is not only the volume, but the speed at which the brand achieved it. Unlike its rivals, which have been household names in Europe for years, BYD entered the market with limited brand recognition and still managed to claim the top position.
Best-Selling Plug-In Hybrids in Europe, 2025
| Rank | Model | 2025 Sales | % Difference from 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYD Seal U | 72,667 | N/A |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 65,899 | +177.9% |
| 3 | Volvo XC60 | 60,088 | -1.4% |
| 4 | Ford Kuga | 41,983 | -3.8% |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | 38,810 | -7.8% |
| 6 | Toyota C-HR | 37,383 | +144.2% |
| 7 | BMW X1 | 37,366 | -7.9% |
| 8 | Jaecoo 7 | 33,192 | N/A |
| 9 | MG HS | 29,894 | +222.9% |
| 10 | Skoda Kodiaq | 28,982 | +247% |
Technical Specs Do Not Tell the Whole Story
From a technical standpoint, the BYD Seal U does not clearly outperform its European rivals. The crossover offers up to 50 miles (80 km) of electric-only range, powered by an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
Charging performance is modest. The Seal U supports 11 kW AC charging and just 18 kW DC fast charging, figures that trail behind several competitors in the segment.
By comparison, the Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV features a 19.7 kWh NCM battery, enabling a theoretical electric range of up to 76 miles (126 km). It can also accept up to 40 kW from a DC fast charger, reaching 80% charge in roughly 26 minutes.
Both vehicles use a 1.5-liter gasoline engine to complement their electric drivetrains, making the Seal U’s sales success difficult to explain through specifications alone.
Aggressive Pricing Makes the Difference
The key to BYD’s success lies in pricing. In Germany, the entry-level BYD Seal U starts at €39,990, offering a generous standard equipment list at a price point far below its closest rivals.
The Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid starts at €52,215, while the Volvo XC60 PHEV begins at €67,990. Even the Ford Kuga PHEV, traditionally positioned as a value option, starts at €47,100, still well above BYD’s pricing.
This aggressive approach has allowed BYD to attract buyers who want electrified driving without the premium price typically associated with European brands.
A Growing Market With Shifting Preferences
Europe’s plug-in hybrid market surpassed 1.3 million sales in 2025, representing a 33.5% increase year over year. The growth suggests that many consumers remain interested in partial electrification as a stepping stone toward fully electric vehicles.
At the same time, battery-electric vehicle sales reached nearly 2.6 million units, up 29.7% from 2024, indicating that while PHEVs are thriving, EV adoption continues to accelerate.
The Seal U’s success highlights how pricing strategy, rather than technical leadership alone, can reshape Europe’s competitive landscape.
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