Before test driving the BYD Yuan UP, Sina Auto learned from the BYD Dynasty website that the distribution and ordering of dealers had already begun on a large scale. However, due to the need for caution in pricing in the segmented market, the promotion was not too high-profile. The price of the Yuan UP needs careful consideration within the BYD system to avoid overlapping prices with models such as the Yuan PLUS, Dolphin, and Song Pro, creating a price gap and highlighting the competitiveness of the Yuan UP.
The Yuan UP was officially launched on March 26, with a price range of 96,800 to 119,800 yuan (16550$). Within 3 days of its release, over 20,000 orders were placed, indicating strong sales potential. Prior to the launch, Sina Auto conducted a detailed static evaluation of the exterior, interior, and car system. For more information, read the article “Quality and Style: Static Experience of BYD Yuan UP”. Therefore, this test drive article will not delve into the exterior, interior, space, and car system.
Driving experience 1—comfortable This test drive covered city roads, highways, and some mountain roads, providing the best dynamic test of comprehensive road conditions and focusing on the main usage scenarios for family cars. Comfort is the priority for a 100,000 yuan (13820$) small electric SUV. The manufacturers are more focused on cost optimization to tap into the market for family transportation. Therefore, we can still see many low-end models in the market with basic exterior and interior styles, suitable for commuting but lacking in comfort and style.
Yuan UP relies on BYD’s strong supply chain and systematic car manufacturing concept to cover costs and produce high-quality, personalized products. The front and rear seats of Yuan UP are designed for the comfort of Chinese people.
The front seats are designed in a sporty style and perfectly match the ergonomics. They can be adjusted at multiple angles to accommodate different sitting positions. The seats are comfortable and supportive due to the innovative dragon III skeleton platform developed by FAURECIA. This platform not only reduces the weight of the seats but also provides comprehensive support for the back and waist.
The driver’s seat has six-way power adjustment, the passenger seat has four-way power adjustment. The total adjustment range for both seats is 260mm, comparable to luxury B-class cars.
The rear seats of the small SUV are surprisingly comfortable with long cushions, reclined backrests, thick padding, and a 2620mm wheelbase, providing a luxurious seating experience.
During the nearly 100-kilometer test drive, the leather seats showed friction, the diamond perforated pattern reduced heat, and ventilation was outstanding.
It is worth mentioning that the front seats wrap around the body tightly, keeping it stable during quick turns and transitions. Driving experience 2 – comfortable assisted driving Although the Element UP is capable of achieving all Level 2 assisted driving functions, it requires purchasing the 401km surpassing model and adding the 6000 intelligent optional package. Currently, the conclusion drawn from in-depth research at the factory is that the main selling model of the Element UP does not come with the intelligent optional package. This is because most users mainly use the car for city commuting and short trips, where the range of 301km and 401km is sufficient. Therefore, by moving the high configuration to the optional package, it actually reflects the cost-effectiveness of the Element UP. This also includes the need to spend 3000 yuan (410$) on the bold and colorful interior and exterior, following the same principle.
Its intelligent optional package includes not only Level 2 assisted driving, but also rear seat belt warning, high-fidelity speakers, front seat heating, PM2.5 Green Clean™ air quality smart optimization, 17-inch Dynamic Wind aluminum alloy wheels, rear center armrest, and rear seat center headrest. In fact, if you calculate the price of these configurations alone, the cost is higher than 6000 yuan (830$), so, if you want to experience the complete version of Element UP, the intelligent optional package is actually quite cost-effective.
In this test drive, all cars were the 401km version with the intelligent optional package. When it comes to the experience of assisted driving, it is comparable to many new intelligent electric vehicles.
In active following, sharp turning, and lane departure assistance, the performance of the UP is stable, with gentle following and braking.
With a clear HUD, it’s easy and worry-free to travel short distances in the city at high speeds. Warnings about nearby vehicles are clearly displayed on the LCD dashboard.
Nowadays, models equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving are becoming more popular. Among the models with a high degree of integration, the Yuan UP stands out as a relatively outstanding model in the 100,000-level with assisted driving. The driving experience is 3—the chassis control is comfortable. The most impressive thing about this test drive is its chassis support. The Yuan UP adopts a front MacPherson rear torsion beam suspension system. On paved roads, the filtering of road details is quite good. When encountering undulating roads, uneven potholes, and national highways with asphalt + cement mixed surfaces, the overall feeling of the suspension is strong. At high speeds, the rear suspension does not have excessive rebound, maintaining consistent vehicle stability.
Original: 元UP避震调校实际上是偏硬朗的设计，其螺旋弹簧减震器和液压避震器配合度比较好，能够带来比较韧的操控，特别是在一次走错路后，再高速转回车道的过程中，后轮的跟随非常灵敏，加上高刚性的CTB电池底盘一体化设计，在高速转向时的操控能保持车身稳定，并几乎没有车身倾角出现。 Rewritten: The suspension tuning of the Yuan UP is actually a bit firm in design. The coil spring shock absorbers and hydraulic shock absorbers work well together, providing tough handling. Especially when returning to the lane after taking a wrong turn, the rear wheels are very responsive. The high rigidity of the CTB battery chassis integration design helps maintain stability during high-speed cornering, with minimal body roll.
The CTB battery vehicle body integration technology used in the previous model has increased the body torsional stiffness by 32%, providing a more reassuring handling stability for urban commuting. At the same time, the floor vibration amplitude has also been reduced by 62.9% due to CTB, significantly improving NVH performance. Integrating the battery pack cover with the traditional structure of the vehicle floor optimizes the overall Z-axis spatial structure of the vehicle, increasing headroom in the car interior.
In addition, the eight-in-one electric drive system used by the Yuan UP not only has the characteristics of high integration, high power density, and high efficiency, but also has a comprehensive efficiency of up to 89%. Its lightweight design greatly reduces the weight under the springs, resulting in more agile handling. Driving experience 4—Comfortable power The power calibration of the Yuan UP is output in a steady and gradual manner from the beginning, without deliberately showing off fast power performance, which is not in line with the positioning of the Yuan UP. Young women and families of three are the main target audience for this model.
The original UP series has two power versions: a single motor of 70 kW and a single motor of 130 kW. With power ranging from 95 to 177 horsepower, it is suitable for city driving, commuting, and short trips with low energy consumption.
However, there is always a passionate side. When overtaking is needed, adjust the Yuen UP driving mode to Sport. The throttle becomes responsive, power output maximizes early, and power delivery is direct at full throttle. The chassis provides strong road feedback and support, ensuring driver confidence.
In summary, the Yuan UP is a highly specialized model under the BYD Dynasty Network, designed to target the A00 market and market below the Yuan PLUS. It breaks the traditional perception of 100,000-level models, especially when compared to other competitors in the same price range. Despite facing competition from electric and joint venture fuel models, BYD Dynasty Network has successfully positioned the Yuan UP as one of the shining stars in the Yuan family through in-depth analysis of user needs.