BYD Yangwang U8 Review
Price: AED 650,900
Luxury SUVs usually excel in one or two areas off-road muscle, posh amenities, a dash of tech flair but trying to get all that together in a single package? Especially here in the UAE, where city highways can turn to desert tracks in minutes, that’s a tall order. The BYD Yangwang U8 tries to pull off that very trick. Below, you’ll find honest takes on its extended-range EV system, wild off-road party tricks like tank turn and even an amphibious mode, plus nitty-gritty specs, pricing, and candid comparisons to the always-popular Range-Rover and Mercedes-Benz G Class. Let’s see how this flagship from BYD’s high-end Yangwang brand stacks up.
About the 2025 BYD Yangwang U8
Yangwang is BYD’s luxury sub-brand, but forget any ideas about rebadged econoboxes. This stuff is aimed squarely at Maserati, Range Rover, and their well-heeled clientele, focusing on high-tech machines that don’t skimp on performance or interior glitz. The U8 is their first big launch a bruiser of a hybrid that’s equally comfortable smashing across dunes or rolling up to a valet stand in Downtown Dubai.
Unveiled in China in September 2023, it started sales there in early 2024. BYD has been rolling it out globally in small batches showing it off at splashy events like Auto Expo 2025 and Auto Shanghai 2025 but in the UAE, it’s just starting to crop up via specialty imports and a few bold local dealers. Enthusiasts are already taking notice. According to BYD’s own stats, the Yangwang U8 pulls in over 60,000 global searches a month, thanks to its promise of hybrid endurance and off-road stunts not found in the usual suspects. TopGear called it disruptive. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why: this brand, drawing on BYD’s dominant EV experience, has quickly earned a rep for bending the luxury segment in new directions.
Exterior Design Features
First impression? The BYD Yangwang U8 does not play coy. It’s a big, bold SUV, with angular styling and a massive, almost overengineered front grille. The LED adaptive headlights are a godsend when chasing desert trails at night, and there’s a clear design nod to icons like the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G Class. Think aggression with polish.
Functional upgrades come in the form of 22 inch alloy wheels for added dune stability, along with camera-packed mirrors for tricky parking lot or rock face maneuvers. The U8 is heavy on aerodynamic tweaks too a lower drag coefficient helps its hybrid system work that little bit smarter. For 2025, they’ve added sharpened lighting signatures and optional matte paint that shows off every crease and contour. Autocar.co.uk even compares the stance to a cross between the Defender and Kia EV9 which might sound odd, but somehow works.
Dimensions of the 2025 BYD Yangwang U8
This SUV is as large as it feels. The U8 comes in at 5319 mm in length, 2050 mm wide, 1930 mm high, and boasts a generous 3050 mm wheelbase. That long wheelbase is right at home on deep sand or crumbly wadi trails, keeping things composed on the move.
It’s plenty big, but not an unruly bus maneuverable enough for Sheikh Zayed Road but still roomy for midnight camping detours. Compare that to the Range Rover, which usually clocks in around 5000 mm long, and you’re looking at an edge in off-road approach angles (36 degrees approach, 35.4 degrees departure). The Mercedes G Class is shorter at 4817 mm, so the Yangwang edges ahead on pure cabin space while still towering on the tarmac.
Interior Design
Climb in and it’s clear BYD is chasing the likes of Bentley and Mercedes, not mass-market brands. You’ll find deep Nappa leather, slabs of real wood, and fussed-over touches on the dash and doors much of it tailored to beat back the relentless Gulf heat.
It seats five in plush comfort, the rear row especially, with heated and ventilated seats something you’ll thank them for during a sticky Dubai summer. Metal switchgear, ambient lighting, and a whisper-quiet ride (thanks to better insulation for 2025) make road trips actually feel restful. Hands-on reviews, including TopGear, say the leap from lesser BYD models is dramatic. There’s still some plastic for durability, but overall, it’s swanky in here.
Comfort Features
Let’s talk creature comforts, because that’s where the U8 puts its money. Ventilated, massage seats for four, a massive panoramic sunroof for stargazing on desert nights, and robust HVAC that actually cools the whole car in minutes. Tucked into the rear armrest: an actual refrigerator, chilling drinks from 60°C right down to 5°C yes, really.
Rear entertainment screens, wireless charging, tons of legroom this is an SUV ready for the hour-plus Dubai–Abu Dhabi slog, as well as the occasional off-road adventure. Ambient lighting is completely customizable, and the acoustic glass cuts down the wind and traffic noise.
Built in Technology
Tech nerds will be in heaven. The driver gets a 23.6 inch digital instrument panel and a whopping 70 inch heads up display that overlays critical info right onto your view of the highway (try missing a speed camera now). And for music lovers? The Dynaudio 22 speaker system jams out with clarity usually reserved for private lounges.
It’s loaded for the local market too voice controls in Arabic, on-the-fly navigation updates, and plenty of charging options compatible with the region’s ever-growing stations. The fast charger will take you from empty to 80% in under 30 minutes. Over-the-air updates, AI assistants, and cloud services round out the package. This is a car chasing the Teslas and BMW iX’s of the world, and not missing by much.
Also read: Are Chinese EVs Outshining Tesla In Dubais Market A 2025 Comparison Of Brands Prices And Ownership
Safety Features
You want peace of mind? The Yangwang U8 is stacked 38 sensors feeding its advanced driver assistance, multiple airbags, and a totally sealed amphibious mode that lets you float for up to 30 minutes if, say, the wadi you’re crossing floods unexpectedly.
Adaptive hydraulic suspension means the ride height jumps in seconds, and in case of a tire blowout, it can limp along on three wheels at up to 120 km/h. There’s night vision, LiDAR, and adaptive damping to smooth it all out. Amphibious mode isn’t a gimmick; it’s been tested to actually float and steer at 1.8 mph in water, making it both a novelty and a legitimate rescue feature in the rare but real flash floods. Sure, official UAE crash ratings are still on the way, but global reviews rave about the safety suite.
Power System
Forget garden-variety hybrids. The BYD Yangwang U8 uses a clever combo: a 2.0L petrol engine making 272 hp but only as a generator plus four electric motors good for a combined 1180 horsepower and 1280 Nm of torque. That’s muscle-car power in a family-size Land Cruiser.
Pulling from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds isn’t just quick; it’s supercar territory for something weighing 3500 kg. The 49 kWh battery can handle up to 180 km electric-only driving (CLTC), and you won’t be stressing range with a 1000 km combined figure. In real-world UAE tests, range ticks closer to 112–150 km during summer months, thanks to the AC and tricky terrain, but the petrol generator keeps angst at bay when the battery dips. The system is a bona fide range extender the engine never touches the wheels directly, avoiding extra losses and making for a truly seamless drive.
Yangwang U8 Review
So how does all this tech actually feel? Plenty of experts have driven it and the broad consensus is: this thing moves like a much smaller SUV. Supercar-like acceleration, adaptive torque vectoring to nail tight corners, and the ability to cruise plushly through the city or bound over sandy hills. Think: the best bits of a Range Rover SV, but with even more gadgets.
On the streets, road bumps and potholes just disappear with the adaptive suspension. Heading off-road? Hit the 15 cm suspension lift and three-wheel drive mode, so even a puncture doesn’t stop play. In fact, one journalist joked “the U8 is neither sustainable nor sensible, but, honestly, neither are its prestigious European rivals”. That’s the company it keeps. Engineers single out the U8’s e4 platform for being a real difference-maker: independent motor control at each wheel is killer for tricky crossings and lateral moves you know the places you’d rather not get stuck.
Highlighted Features
There are a few party tricks that make the U8 stand out even among big-dollar SUVs. The tank turn rotates the car on the spot for a full 360 degrees if you’re ever wedged between rocks or parking bollards, you’ll actually use this. Amphibious mode genuinely floats the car and propels it through floodwater at 1.8 mph for up to 30 minutes.
Add in the 15 cm suspension lift, three-wheel drive (great for blowouts or rocky tracks), and the sheer grunt from that hybrid system, and it’s a package no old-school luxury SUV currently matches. Whether you need to pivot in sand, outsmart a flash flood, or just want a conversation starter at the petrol station, this car delivers.
| Feature | BYD Yangwang U8 | Range Rover | Mercedes G Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Power | Yes (1180 hp, 1000 km) | No | No |
| Tank Turn | Yes | No | No |
| Amphibious Mode | Yes | No | No |
| Suspension Lift (cm) | 15 | ~7 | ~9 |
| Electric Only Range (km) | 180 | <50 (PHEV) | |
| 0-100km/h Acceleration | 3.6 sec | ~5.5 sec | ~4.5 sec |
| Unique Tech | Quad Motor, AI, LiDAR | Terrain Response 2 | G-Turn (Electric) |
Right now in the UAE, the Yangwang U8 kicks off at AED 650,900 which factors in all import taxes and local VAT. Going Premium Edition? That’ll add about AED 50,000 depending on your gadget appetite. Average yearly servicing is pegged at AED 5,000, which isn’t far off the norm for this segment.
Global pricing hovers between $143,808 and $160,000, with the UAE Premium Edition pushing above $150,000 after fees. And in case you’re shopping: delivery via import or through a bold local dealer is currently 2-3 months from order (according to Reddit and Motor1.com). Not exactly instant, but still quicker than waiting for some rival brands’ custom orders.
Also read: Top 10 Luxury Cars In Dubai For 2025
Main Competitors
The main crosshairs land on the Range Rover (from AED 500,000) and the G Class. Both have heritage, yes, but neither matches the U8’s 1180 hp, 1000 km hybrid range, or tank turn theatrics. The Range Rover offers supreme comfort and finish, while the G Class wins on street cred and old-school off-road might.
Yangwang U8’s blend of ballistic power, advanced hybrid system, and tech wizardry puts it comfortably ahead if you want more than a recognized badge the 3.6 second sprint alone will leave many V8s in the dust. The GMC Hummer EV? Impressive, but less practical for long GCC stretches, and the Defender, even the fancy trims, can't touch the U8’s suite of AI and off-road tricks.
Verdict
The U8 is a bold, exciting gamble: outrageous hybrid horsepower, flashy tech, tank turns, amphibious getaways, and an interior to embarrass some old-money brands. Downsides? It’s huge 3500 kg and still the new kid in town, so resale value remains a question mark for now. But for those craving something ultramodern, tough, and exclusive, it’s a genuine alternative to the usual suspects.
The Future of Luxury SUVs?
Forget what you know about what a luxury SUV can be. The U8 fuses electrified muscle with real off-road viability and onboard comforts that used to belong only to six-figure German sedans. If you want to experience what’s next, you might want to check out a test drive at your local BYD dealer.
Summary Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Name & Trim | BYD Yangwang U8 Premium Edition |
| Price (Starting MSRP) | AED 650,900 |
| Powertrain | Range extended hybrid (2.0L petrol + 4 electric motors) |
| Horsepower | 1180 hp |
| Torque | 1280 Nm |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | Single speed, AWD |
| 0-100 km/h time | 3.6 seconds |
| Fuel Economy or EV Range | Electric 180 km, Combined 1000 km |
| Interior Features | Nappa leather, 23.6 inch panel, Dynaudio 22 speakers, panoramic sunroof |
| Exterior Highlights | LED adaptive headlights, 22 inch wheels, large grille |
| Safety Features | 38 sensors, ADAS, amphibious mode |
| Cargo Space | Ample for 5 seats |
| Warranty & Maintenance info | Standard BYD warranty |
| Release Date / Availability | Available in UAE via import |
People Also Ask
What are the standout features of the BYD Yangwang U8?
It’s got a 360-degree tank turn, a real amphibious mode good for up to 30 minutes in water, and four independent electric motors for wild off-road moves nothing else in this segment tries all that at once.
How does the Yangwang U8 compare to other luxury SUVs?
You get more hybrid power (1180 hp) and longer electric range (1000 km) than either the Range Rover or G Class. They might win on long-standing prestige, but the U8 is simply bolder on specs.
What is the price and availability in the UAE?
The U8 starts at AED 650,900. You’ll find it at a handful of local dealers or as a custom import, and new orders are arriving every few months.
What makes the U8 electric/hybrid system unique?
Its 2.0L petrol engine never drives the wheels it only juices the battery, which feeds the four big electric motors. This lets you use electricity most of the time, then recharge on the fly for truly epic range.
Is the U8 suitable for both urban and off road environments?
Absolutely. Adaptive ride height, advanced drive modes, a sturdy chassis it’s built for Dubai’s streets and the empty quarter’s toughest corners.
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