BYD Han EV Review
The BYD brand rose to prominence when it outpaced Tesla in Q4 2023 sales. Since then, it has proven itself as a top manufacturer of EV cars globally. BYD Han EV is one of its flagship sedans and the most sold car.
The Han Series is not new; it has been in production since 2020. But before moving to full electric variants, BYD introduced some initial models as plug-in hybrids. In the UAE context, the BYD Han EV was launched in the UAE in November 2023, during the inaugural event at BYD UAE’s newly built showroom.
This review specifically focuses on the BYD Han model introduced in the UAE market, examining its performance, range, and how it compares against other EV competitors.
Exterior and Interior Design
BYD says the exterior design is inspired by a dragon. At first, you may not understand that design philosophy. But if you look closely, there’s a black stripe above the front air intakes that’s meant to look like a dragon’s mustache and a metallic pattern on the rear pillar that resembles dragon scales. The rear isn’t an afterthought: a full-width LED light bar and bold “3.9S” badge (a cheeky brag about its 0-100km/h sprint time).
Although the design is not as quirky as other BYD models, the Han still looks sharp and clean, just more traditional. The door handles are concealed and pop up as you touch the handlebars.
The interior quality is surprisingly good. Think “old-school Mercedes” with diamond-pattern stitching on the doors and seats, and real aluminum accents across the dash and console. Even cooler, the ambient light changes based on your climate control settings: red for warm, blue for cool.
The back seat is really where this car shines. In China and the UAE, it’s common for people to hire drivers, so BYD has optimized the rear passenger experience. There’s a fold-down armrest, with a built-in screen, that lets passengers control media playback, volume, radio, panoramic roof, and ambient lighting.
The center touchscreen (15.6)” up front is huge and responsive, running Android Auto. It’s fast, intuitive, and easily one of the better infotainment systems available. Other thoughtful details include wireless charging, a chilled glovebox, and Alcantara-lined cupholders.
Available Colors and Accessories
Globally, BYD comes in two trims (Flagship and Premium) and five color options. But that’s slightly different from what’s available in the UAE market. In the UAE, BYD Han is offered in Premium and Platinum variants, the latter having all the flagship features.
As for exterior color choices, Space black, grey, and white are available in both variants. And for the interior, you get to choose between Qi Lin Brown and Orange.
The Premium BYD Han comes at AED 199,900, while the Platinum is available for AED 231,900. The huge difference is due to a lot of add-on features. The major difference is power setup; the Premium Han has a single motor, whereas the Platinum model has a dual motor. Panoramic sunroof, heated steering, active suspension, indoor cabin camera, BSD, ambient lights, and PM 2.5 purification system are only limited to the Platinum model.
Engine and Performance
Two variants mean two types of power setups. The base variant is front wheel drive with a single motor, providing a max. power output of 241 HP. It goes from 0 to 100 in about 7.9 seconds.
The top-of-the-line, Platinum variant is a beast. The dual-motor (one on the front and one on the rear) all-wheel-drive setup pumps out 517 hp, making it possible for the car to go from 0 to 100 in just 3.9 seconds. To handle all that speed, the car is fitted with Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
However, despite its power, the Han isn’t built for sporty driving. The steering is quite light, and the suspension is tuned for comfort, not performance. It’s very quiet inside, thanks to double glazing and soft suspension. It’s better suited as a luxury cruiser than a corner carver.
Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
With EVs, you don’t consider the fuel efficiency; instead, the range: how far it can take you on one charge. An 85.4 kWh battery is present in the car, which provides a range of up to 565km (WLTP) on the premium variant. For the platinum variant, that’s significantly lower, about 521 km.
Charging is where the car drops the ball. It supports up to 120kW DC, which is okay, but slower than rivals like the BMW i4 or Kia EV6. The AC charging is single-phase only. Most modern EVs support three-phase AC charging, which is far more practical, especially for overnight charging on longer trips.
Competitors and Market Comparison
In the sedan segment, I would like to say its competitors are luxury options like the Tesla Model S, BMW I4, and Mercedes-Benz EQE 350.
While the Han EV excels in value, with its Platinum trim priced at AED 231,900, it undercuts these rivals significantly. The Tesla Model S starts at AED 389,000, the BMW i4 M50 at AED ~330,000, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE at AED 395,000, making the Han nearly 30-40% cheaper while offering comparable (or even superior) features in some areas.
Where the Han EV shines is in rear-seat luxury – limousine-like legroom, ventilated Nappa leather, and rear touchscreen – features that the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S lack at this price point. However, the Tesla Model S dominates in charging speed (250kW vs. Han’s 120kW) and performance (2.1s 0-100km/h in Plaid trim), while the Mercedes EQE 350 offers superior brand prestige and a more refined interior.
Final Verdict
If you prioritize affordable luxury, cutting-edge technology, and spacious comfort, the Han EV comes out as a compelling choice. Also, one thing I wanted to mention is that with BYD’s rapid advancements in vehicle manufacturing and battery technology, the brand is poised for continued growth.
However, if your preferences lean towards established brand prestige, acceleration, or ultra-fast charging capabilities, investing in a Tesla, BMW, or Mercedes might justify the premium price tag.