We Tested the UK’s Cheapest Plug-In Hybrids… Only One Is Worth Buying

Looking for the best plug-in hybrid under £40,000 in the UK? We put three of the fastest-growing PHEVs head-to-head to find out which one you should actually buy in 2026. In this test we compare: ✅ BYD Seal U DM-i ✅ Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid ✅ MG HS Plug-in Hybrid These cars all avoid the UK luxury car tax threshold — but they take completely different approaches to efficiency, performance, practicality and technology. So which wins when you factor in: • Real-world MPG • Electric range • Interior quality • Driving dynamics • Family practicality • Value for money One of these cars is the logical choice. One is packed with tech. And somehow… one has become the enthusiast favourite. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The £40k PHEV Challenge 00:53 Prices & First Impressions 02:06 Practicality & Boot Space 08:45 BYD Seal U Driving Review 11:08 Toyota Prius Review 15:36 MG HS Driving Review 19:06 Final Verdict — Which Should You Buy? If you're considering switching to hybrid, reducing fuel costs, or choosing your next company or family car, this comparison covers everything you need to know before buying. 👍 Like the video if you enjoy honest car tests 💬 Comment which one YOU would pick 🔔 Subscribe for weekly UK car reviews, comparisons & buying guides #PlugInHybrid #PHEV #CarReview #ToyotaPrius #MGHS #BYD #HybridCarsUK 🎵 Music licensed from Lickd. The biggest mainstream and stock music platform for content creators. Spirit In The Sky (Deluxe Edition) by Norman Greenbaum, https://lickd.lnk.to/p6k3udID License ID: NGROqdMd3WD If you want to use music from famous artists, try Lickd to get track credits and unlimited stock music: https://go.lickd.co/soundtrack-your-v... ----------------------------------- BUY OUR MERCH: https://shop.spreadshirt.co.uk/buckle... ----------------------------------- Join Channel Memberships:    / @buckleupshow   ----------------------------------- Follow us on Social Media! Facebook:   / buckle.up.official.productions   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@buckleup_show X: https://x.com/BuckleUp_Show Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/buckleupshow... Instagram:   / buckleup_show   Reddit:   / buckleup_show   TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRy9erBk/ --------------------------------- Visit Our Website: https://buckleup-show.com/ --------------------------------- Follow the lads on Instagram Rob -   / the_rob_wilson_   Harry -   / mccrazyfish   Jasper -   / jbrucewright   --------------------------------- Buckle Up is a channel that is only interested in one thing – cars! We upload a myriad of different content including car review videos, car challenge videos, car news videos and much, much more! Our videos are made in a similar style to that of Top Gear, Fifth Gear, Car Throttle, Doug DeMuro, carwow, Carfection, The Grand Tour, MotorTrend and many more. We would all thoroughly recommend their channels, so why not go and check them out.