Used BYD Song PLUS EV in 2026: 505 vs 520 km Prices

A used BYD Song PLUS EV sells for $14,000 to $18,000 FOB China in 2026. It is a 4.7 m five-seat electric SUV with 204 hp, front-wheel drive and a Blade LFP pack. Outside China the same car is often sold as the BYD Seal U, which is why listings under both names are the same vehicle.

The question most buyers actually have is whether to take a 2021 505 km car at the bottom of the price range or a 2023 520 km Champion Edition at the top. The answer is not automatic.

What is the difference between the 2021 and 2023 Song PLUS EV?

Both use a 204 hp (150 kW) front motor and both claim roughly the same range — 505 km on the 2021 Luxury Edition and 520 km on the 2023 Champion Edition. The 2023 car is a look and feel upgrade: revised front end, quieter cabin, faster infotainment, better seats.

The 2021 car is the value buy. Expect $14,000-15,500 FOB with 50,000-70,000 km. The 2023 Champion Edition lands at $16,000-18,000. For a 3.5% range difference you are paying up to 25% more — worth it only if you plan to keep the car eight years or more.

How much range do you actually get from a Song PLUS EV?

About 380-400 km in mixed driving at moderate temperatures. The 520 km CLTC figure assumes lab conditions and a light right foot. On a motorway at 110 km/h, expect 330-360 km, because a 4.7 m SUV with 2.1 tonnes and no heat pump loses range fast at speed.

DC charging runs 30-80% in around 30 minutes on the Blade pack. That is competitive for a 2021 platform and remains decent in 2026 — not the 18-minute sessions that 800V cars deliver, but usable on a road trip.

Which Song PLUS EV units are listed right now?

Two generations are in stock. The 2021 Song PLUS EV Luxury Edition with 505 km and Blade battery is the entry point. The 2023 Song PLUS EV Champion Edition 520 km Flagship is the newer, better-equipped car. If you want the plug-in version instead, the 2024 Song PLUS DM-i 110 km Honor Edition adds a petrol engine for buyers with no charger. The full BYD range also covers the Seal, Han and Tang families.

What is the running cost of a used Song PLUS EV?

• Energy: roughly 15-17 kWh/100 km in mixed use. At $0.15/kWh that is $2.25-2.55 per 100 km.
• Servicing: brake fluid, cabin filter and tyres. No oil, no spark plugs, no timing belt. Budget $150-250 a year.
• Tyres: about $400-600 for a set, and a 2.1 tonne SUV wearing them at 25,000-35,000 km intervals.
• Battery warranty: 8 years or 150,000 km from first registration, transferable with paperwork.

What should you check on a high-mileage Song PLUS EV?

Most 2021 cars have done 50,000-90,000 km by now, and a fair share served as ride-hailing cars in Chinese cities. Look for interior wear that does not match the odometer, more than one previous owner on the licence documents, and battery SoH under 90% at moderate mileage. A healthy 2021 pack at 70,000 km typically reads 93-96%.

Mechanically the car is simple and durable. The parts that age are suspension bushings and the air-conditioning compressor — the latter costs $600-900 if it fails, and is worth a full test on a hot day before you accept the car.

Key Takeaways

• A used BYD Song PLUS EV (sold abroad as the Seal U) costs $14,000-$18,000 FOB China in 2026.
• The 2021 Luxury Edition claims 505 km CLTC; the 2023 Champion Edition claims 520 km — about a 3.5% difference.
• Real mixed-driving range is 380-400 km, dropping to 330-360 km at motorway speeds.
• 204 hp front-wheel drive, Blade LFP battery, 8-year/150,000 km warranty transferable to the second owner.
• Check for ex-ride-hailing history and test the AC compressor on a hot day before paying.