BYD now spans city hatchbacks, family SUVs, a sporting saloon and a performance coupe-SUV, in both fully electric and DM-i plug-in hybrid forms. Use the guide below to narrow down which BYD fits your driving, then speak to an Intelligent Vehicle Finance specialist who can match it to your mileage and budget.
| BYD | Body & size | Powertrain | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Surf | City hatchback | Electric | First-time EV drivers and city use wanting the most affordable way into an electric BYD |
| Dolphin | Compact hatchback | Electric | Urban and suburban drivers wanting a practical, well-equipped electric hatchback |
| Atto 2 | Compact SUV | Electric or plug-in hybrid | Buyers wanting a compact electric crossover, with a DM-i hybrid option if charging is harder |
| Atto 3 / Atto 3 EVO | Family SUV | Electric | Families wanting a roomy electric SUV; the EVO adds more power and range |
| Seal | Saloon | Electric | Company-car drivers wanting a sporting electric saloon at 4% BiK |
| Seal 6 | Saloon / estate | Plug-in hybrid (DM-i) | Higher-mileage drivers who cannot always charge and want long combined range |
| Seal U | Mid-size SUV | Plug-in hybrid (DM-i) | Families wanting an SUV with plug-in hybrid flexibility and low running costs |
| Sealion 5 | Mid-size SUV | Plug-in hybrid (DM-i) | Value-focused family SUV buyers wanting plug-in hybrid economy |
| Sealion 7 | Coupe-SUV | Electric | Directors and families wanting a performance electric SUV at 4% BiK |
Powertrain and specification availability vary by model year. We confirm the exact options on every quote.
BYD has become one of the fastest-growing car brands in the UK, and the reason is simple: genuinely modern electric and plug-in hybrid cars, generously equipped, at sensible money. The range now stretches from the city-sized Dolphin Surf to the seven-seat-rivalling Sealion 7, and BYD makes its own Blade battery, which is a large part of why residual values have held up well. For business and private drivers alike, that combination makes BYD one of the easiest new-generation brands to lease with confidence.
Leasing through Intelligent Vehicle Finance means you are not tied to a single funder. We check live availability and terms across a panel of trusted lenders, compare in-stock cars against factory orders, then come back with clear written options showing the monthly rental, initial rental, contract term, mileage and any applicable fees. Because you hand the car back at the end of the term, you carry no depreciation risk and no resale hassle. Explore our wider electric car leasing range, or talk to us about business car leasing. Intelligent Vehicle Finance is also part of Global Vehicle Group, whose brands have funded more than 70,000 vehicles - so behind the personal service sits genuine group scale.
Every BYD lease arranged through IVF includes free UK-wide delivery and a dedicated specialist who manages the whole process. There is no obligation to proceed and no cost to enquire: we tell you what is genuinely deliverable for your budget and timescale, and confirm lead times before you commit.
For company directors and SME owners, the single biggest reason to choose a fully electric BYD is tax. For the 2026/27 tax year, every fully electric car is taxed at just 4% Benefit-in-Kind, against up to 37% for a comparable petrol or diesel model. A higher-rate taxpayer in an electric BYD can therefore pay a small fraction of the monthly company-car tax they would face in an equivalent combustion car, and the saving compounds across every driver in a growing fleet.
That makes BYD's electric range, the Dolphin Surf and Dolphin hatchbacks, the Atto 2 and Atto 3 SUVs, the Seal saloon and the Sealion 7, genuinely tax-efficient company cars. BYD's DM-i plug-in hybrids, the Seal 6, Seal U and Sealion 5, are taxed on their CO2 emissions instead, so they sit in a low band that is above the 4% electric rate but still well below an equivalent petrol or diesel: a sensible middle ground for drivers who cannot always charge. VAT-registered businesses can also typically reclaim 50% of the VAT on the finance rental, or 100% where the car is used solely for business.
Your exact figure depends on the model's P11D value, its emissions and your tax band, and we will work it through for the BYD you choose. The 4% electric rate rises to 5% in 2027/28 and 7% in 2028/29. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances; always consult your accountant. Arrange your company car through our business car leasing team.
BYD offers two kinds of electrified car: fully electric models and DM-i plug-in hybrids that pair a battery with a petrol engine. The right one depends on your mileage, where you can charge and whether you are taxed as a company car driver.
| Powertrain | Best for | Company car tax 2026/27 | IVF note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full electric | Company-car drivers and anyone who can charge at home or work | Just 4% | The biggest tax saving and the lowest cost per mile; Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal and Sealion 7 |
| DM-i plug-in hybrid | Higher-mileage drivers who cannot always charge | Low, based on CO2 emissions, above the 4% electric rate | Electric range for daily runs plus petrol for distance; Seal 6, Seal U and Sealion 5 |
Company-car tax bands are set by HMRC and subject to change.
Leasing a BYD through Intelligent Vehicle Finance starts with a short conversation about how you will use the car: business or personal, annual mileage, preferred term and which model and powertrain appeal. We then check live availability across our funder panel and confirm what is genuinely deliverable, including any factory-order lead times.
Once you choose a model, we build a personalised quotation reflecting your mileage, term and specification. IVF arranges your lease as an FCA-authorised credit broker, sourcing competitive terms from a panel of lenders based on your circumstances, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. We are not a lender ourselves, and there is no cost or obligation to get a quote.
For business buyers, our Business Contract Hire uses the same funder panel as our Personal Contract Hire. Call 01752 429950 or request a callback and a named specialist will handle everything from quote to delivery.
Common questions we hear from business and personal customers about leasing a BYD.
It depends on your mileage, how much space you need and whether you can charge. The Dolphin Surf is the most affordable way into an electric BYD and an easy first EV. The Seal is a sporting electric saloon that suits company-car drivers at 4% Benefit-in-Kind, while the Sealion 7 is the performance electric SUV of the range. If you cannot always charge, the DM-i plug-in hybrids, the Seal 6, Seal U and Sealion 5, give you electric running for daily journeys and petrol for longer trips. A specialist can match the right BYD to your annual mileage on 01752 429950.
Yes. IVF arranges Business Contract Hire (BCH) across the full BYD range. BCH lets VAT-registered businesses reclaim part of the VAT on the finance rental (typically 50%, or 100% if the car is used solely for business), and the monthly rental is usually an allowable business expense. Fully electric BYDs are taxed at just 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, which makes them especially tax-efficient company cars. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and may change.
Yes. IVF arranges Personal Contract Hire (PCH) across the BYD range. You get the same funder-panel access and named specialist support as business customers, a fixed monthly cost with no depreciation risk, and no large balloon payment at the end of the agreement.
A BYD lease through IVF covers the use of the vehicle for a fixed term and annual mileage, with a fixed monthly rental and free UK-wide delivery. Road tax is included for the contract term. Maintenance packages covering servicing, tyres and wear items can be added on request. Insurance is arranged separately by you.
At the end of the agreement you simply hand the BYD back. There is no balloon payment and no resale risk: the funder collects the car, subject to its fair wear and tear standard and your agreed mileage. Your named specialist can also arrange a replacement BYD so there is no gap in your motoring.
A fully electric BYD, such as the Dolphin, Seal or Sealion 7, runs only on battery power and is taxed at just 4% Benefit-in-Kind as a company car for 2026/27. A DM-i plug-in hybrid, such as the Seal 6, Seal U or Sealion 5, pairs a battery with a petrol engine: you can drive shorter journeys on electric power and rely on petrol for longer trips, which suits drivers who cannot always charge. Plug-in hybrids are taxed on their CO2 emissions, so they sit in a low band that is above the 4% electric rate but still well below an equivalent petrol or diesel.
For the 2026/27 tax year, every fully electric car, including the BYD Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Atto 2, Atto 3, Seal and Sealion 7, is taxed at 4% Benefit-in-Kind, against up to 37% for a petrol or diesel equivalent. The exact figure depends on the model's P11D value and your tax band, and we will calculate it for the BYD you choose. The rate rises to 5% in 2027/28 and 7% in 2028/29. Always consult your accountant regarding your personal tax position.
It depends on whether you choose an in-stock car or a factory order. In-stock BYDs can typically be delivered in around 14 to 28 days, subject to stock and status, while factory orders vary by model and specification and take longer. We confirm the expected delivery date before you commit, and arrange free UK-wide delivery on every lease.
No. IVF is a credit broker, not a lender. IVF is a trading style of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 315268). We source finance from a panel of trusted funders and may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them.
Ready to lease your BYD?
Tell us your budget and timescale and we will confirm what is realistic across the full BYD range.
Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a trading style of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd (Company No. 03923327), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 315268). IVF is a credit broker, not a lender, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a member of the BVRLA. Subject to status and availability.
Tax disclaimer: The 4% Benefit-in-Kind rate applies for the 2026/27 tax year for fully electric vehicles, rising to 5% in 2027/28 and 7% in 2028/29. CO2-based BiK rates apply to petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models, including BYD's DM-i range. VAT recovery depends on business use. Rates are set by HMRC and subject to change. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances; always consult your accountant.
Specification, powertrain availability and lead times vary by model year and are confirmed on every quote.
Reviewed by Stacey Smith, Brand Director, Intelligent Vehicle Finance. Last updated: July 2026.