Used BYD Song PLUS EV Review: What Owners Say in 2026

A used BYD Song PLUS EV sells for $14,000 to $16,800 in China in 2026, and it is the safest family EV in that price range. The 2021 Luxury Edition with 505 km of range costs $14,000 at 50,000 km. The 2023 Champion 520 km car with 4,000 km costs $16,800.

The Song PLUS EV sits between the Atto 3 and the Seal in BYD’s range. It is bigger than the Atto 3, softer than the Seal, and built for exactly what most families do: school runs, weekend trips and a lot of sitting in traffic.

How much range does a used Song PLUS EV really have?

The 71.8 kWh Blade pack in the 505 km car delivers about 400 km in mixed driving and 340 km at a steady 110 km/h. The 520 km Champion version adds a slightly larger pack and more efficient motor mapping, so expect about 20 km more in each case.

Those are honest numbers for a mid-size SUV with a family inside and the air conditioning running. The car does not overpromise. It also does not surprise you in winter, because BYD’s heat pump on these cars works well down to about -10°C.

The 2021 Song PLUS EV Luxury Edition and the 2023 520km Champion Flagship share the same architecture. The main difference is interior materials, the larger screen on the Champion, and 46,000 km on the older car.

What do owners complain about?

Three things come up repeatedly in owner forums across Thailand, Israel and Brazil, where the Song PLUS EV sells in volume.

• Road noise above 100 km/h. The car is quiet around town and loud on the motorway. Thin factory sound deadening in the rear arches is the cause.
• The braking transition. Regen to friction handover is not smooth at low speed, especially in cold weather before the discs warm up.
• Infotainment lag. The rotating screen stutters on 2021 cars after a few years. Dealer software updates fix most cases.

None of these are failures. They are the sort of compromises owners accept because the rest of the package is good, and they are why the Song PLUS has a reputation for being boring rather than temperamental.

Is the Song PLUS EV a better buy than the Atto 3?

If you have children, yes. The Song PLUS has 57 mm more rear legroom, a bigger boot and a softer ride. The Atto 3 is sharper to drive but noticeably tighter in the back seat.

If you drive mostly alone and want efficiency, the Atto 3 is the better car. It is lighter, uses less energy per kilometre, and its 510 km trim reaches a similar real-world range with a smaller pack.

The price gap is small: $13,800 for an Atto 3 versus $14,000 for the Song PLUS. At that spread, buy on seat comfort, not on spec sheet.

What should you check on a used Song PLUS EV?

Start with the charging history. These cars were popular as ride-hailing vehicles in some Chinese cities, and a 50,000 km car that spent two years on a fast charger is a different proposition from a family car charged at home.

Check the rear subframe for kerb damage. The Song PLUS has a long rear overhang and a low bumper, and parking damage there is common and cheap to hide. Look for paint texture differences under the rear doors.

Ask for the state of health figure. Blade LFP packs on Song PLUS cars typically sit at 93 to 96% at 50,000 km, which is excellent. Anything under 90% at that mileage means heavy fast charging or a hot climate.

Who should not buy this car?

Skip it if you want driving pleasure. The steering is light, the suspension is soft, and 204 hp in a 1.8 tonne SUV is adequate rather than quick. Skip it too if you regularly carry seven people; the Song PLUS is a 5-seater and the third row does not exist.

Buy it if you want a comfortable, roomy electric family SUV with a proven battery, cheap parts, and a price that leaves room for shipping. In the 2026 used market, that combination is hard to beat.

Key Takeaways

• A used BYD Song PLUS EV costs $14,000 to $16,800 in China in 2026.
• Real range is about 400 km mixed and 340 km at highway speed on the 505 km version.
• Main owner complaints are road noise, brake transition and infotainment lag.
• Blade LFP packs usually hold 93 to 96% health at 50,000 km.
• Choose it over an Atto 3 if rear seat space matters; choose the Atto 3 for efficiency.