BYD Seal U Comfort vs Kuga FHEV: charging and rear-seat space

This comparison is for the UK Seal U DM-i Comfort plug-in hybrid and the Kuga ST-Line 2.5-litre Duratec 180 PS FWD CVT full hybrid. Ford calls the latter FHEV or self-charging hybrid. It is a different powertrain from the Kuga PHEV. The current Ford list, effective 11 September 2026, makes Titanium petrol-only, so an entry-level Titanium headline is not a full-hybrid quote. Ask the retailer to identify the actual model-year allocation and delivery date.

BYD currently offers the Comfort in its UK configurator; delivery still depends on availability. This is an orderable-model comparison, not a promise of immediate stock or a particular registration year.

Ford describes moving the rear seats back for legroom or forward for up to 536 litres of luggage. BYD publishes 425 litres with the rear seats in use and 1,440 litres folded. These numbers do not establish an occupied-family luggage advantage: the Ford maximum involves a seat-position choice, and a common measuring method has not been established here. Folding away a passenger’s seat is not an answer when that passenger must travel.

Set the driver’s seat for the usual driver, install the intended approved child restraints where permitted, then put the normal rear passengers in place. In the Ford, move the bench only as far forward as those occupants can actually use. Try the pushchair, school bags or mobility item, close the tailgate and check that the load can be secured. Keep the same people and objects for the BYD visit.

If the Ford only fits the bags by compromising a necessary passenger position, its advertised maximum has not solved your problem. Conversely, a useful slider setting may avoid needing a larger car. The material read does not establish equivalent sliding adjustment in the BYD; ask for a demonstration instead of assuming either its presence or its absence. We have not carried out this fit test.

BYD documents electric adjustment, heating and ventilation for the front seats. Ford’s current ST-Line equipment table lists a powered driver’s seat but manual front-passenger adjustment. That is a useful distinction if the front passenger regularly changes position. It does not tell us which cushion supports that person better, or establish a comfort result.

Have each regular occupant find a usable seating position and reach the relevant controls. Then repeat the rear-seat and luggage check: gaining room at the back by moving an uncomfortable front passenger forward is not an improvement. Ask for the exact ordered seat equipment in writing if a particular adjustment or ventilation function is essential.

On 22 October 2026 the selected Comfort configuration showed a £36,995 cash-purchase total with Time Grey paint, black interior and 19-inch wheels included. Ford’s 11 September 2026 UK list gives £38,725 OTR for the selected ST-Line 180 PS FWD full hybrid. The Ford list includes the first-year road-fund licence, registration and an estimated plate charge. The BYD cash drawer does not separately itemise those inclusions.

Ask both retailers for complete cash OTR proposals for the actual cars, including paint, options, registration and delivery. Until the inclusions and discounts are matched, these references are not a completed saving calculation. Do not use Ford’s lower petrol-only Titanium starting price, an older BYD launch price or a PHEV stock offer to fill a gap. A monthly finance instalment also needs its deposit, term, mileage, charges and final payment before it can answer a different payment question.

For ownership costs, obtain the relevant service schedule, written vehicle and hybrid-battery warranty terms and an insurance quote for each derivative. This research has not established a matched insurance premium, depreciation forecast or your household’s fuel bill.