BYD Tang

Which BYD Tang Version Should You Buy?

The BYD Tang version to choose depends mainly on whether you want Plug-in flexibility, the quickest acceleration, or FWD simplicity. The quickest listed Tang is the second-generation AT with 490 hp, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The most powerful is the second-generation AT with 518 hp, producing 680 Nm and available in the original model, the restyling, and restyling 2.

The BYD Tang version to choose depends mainly on whether you want Plug-in flexibility, the quickest acceleration, or FWD simplicity. The quickest listed Tang is the second-generation AT with 490 hp, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The most powerful is the second-generation AT with 518 hp, producing 680 Nm and available in the original model, the restyling, and restyling 2. Buyers who prefer a Plug-in can compare the first-generation 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT, with 505 hp, against the restyling 2 1.5 CVT, whose power and performance were not measured. Price figures are unavailable, so the comparison below explains what each specification provides rather than claiming which version costs less.

BYD Tang generations and version changes

The first-generation BYD Tang was produced from 2015 to 2018 as an SUV 5-doors. Its sole listed version is the 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT, combining 505 hp, 820 Nm, AWD and a Robotic gearbox. This makes the first generation the clear choice when the highest listed torque matters: it provides 140 Nm more than the later 518 hp electric AT, although its 0–100 km/h time is 0.3 seconds slower than that version’s 4.6 seconds in the original second generation and first restyling.

The second-generation BYD Tang began in 2019 as an SUV 5-doors with 3 versions. The original range contains three electric versions, all named AT, so they must be distinguished by output: AT with 245 hp, AT with 490 hp, and AT with 518 hp. The 245 hp model uses FWD, whereas the 490 hp and 518 hp versions use AWD. Compared with the 245 hp AT, the 490 hp AT doubles both output and torque—from 245 to 490 hp and from 330 to 660 Nm—while cutting the 0–100 km/h time by 4.1 seconds.

The second-generation restyling began in 2022, retaining the SUV 5-doors body and offering 3 versions: AT with 245 hp, AT 730 km with 245 hp, and AT with 518 hp. The two 245 hp versions have identical recorded output, torque, acceleration, top speed, drive type and kerb weight; the supplied data therefore does not establish a mechanical performance advantage for either one. The 518 hp restyled AT adds 273 hp, 350 Nm and AWD over either 245 hp FWD alternative, reducing the 0–100 km/h time from 8.5 to 4.6 seconds.

The second-generation restyling 2 began in 2024, again as an SUV 5-doors, with 2 versions. The 1.5 CVT is a Plug-in with a 1497 cc engine, AWD and a Variable gearbox. The electric AT with 518 hp uses AWD and an Automatic gearbox with 1 gear. This update therefore offers a direct choice between Plug-in operation and a fully electric version with measured performance of 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h and a 190 km/h top speed.

BYD Tang specs and engine comparison

The 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT produces approximately 253.6 hp per litre from its 1991 cc engine. Power per litre cannot be calculated for the 1.5 CVT because its horsepower was not measured, while this metric does not apply to the electric versions because engine displacement was not measured.

Among the electric choices, moving from the 490 hp AT to the 518 hp AT adds 28 hp and 20 Nm. It does not improve the recorded acceleration in the original second generation: the 490 hp AT reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while the more powerful 518 hp AT takes 4.6 seconds. On measured straight-line acceleration, the 490 hp version is therefore the stronger choice despite its lower output.

Performance, fuel consumption and economy

City and highway consumption were not measured for every version. Combined consumption was measured only for the Plug-in models: 2.4 for the 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT and 5.9 for the 1.5 CVT. The newer Plug-in’s recorded combined figure is therefore 3.5 higher, but the data does not provide the testing unit or conditions, so this comparison should not be extended into a cost estimate.

The electric 518 hp AT changed with restyling 2. Its top speed rose from 180 to 190 km/h, while its recorded 0–100 km/h time increased from 4.6 to 4.9 seconds. Buyers prioritising the higher maximum speed should choose restyling 2; those prioritising the quicker recorded sprint should choose the original second-generation or first-restyling 518 hp AT.

BYD Tang weight, clearance and practical specs

The first-generation 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT has the best calculable weight-to-power result at approximately 4.40 kg per hp. The original 490 hp AT follows at approximately 4.88 kg per hp, while the original and first-restyling 518 hp AT achieve approximately 4.67 kg per hp. The 245 hp electric versions carry approximately 9.76 kg per hp, more than double the first-generation version’s figure.

All versions use Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. Dimensions were not measured in the supplied data. Wheel sizes were also not measured for any version, so no wheel or exterior-size comparison is possible.

Which BYD Tang version should you choose?

Choose the second-generation AT with 490 hp if acceleration is the deciding factor. Its 4.4-second 0–100 km/h result is the quickest in the catalogue, and it pairs 660 Nm with AWD. It is also 29 kg lighter than the original 518 hp AT.

Choose an AT with 518 hp if maximum electric output matters more than the absolute quickest sprint. It provides 28 hp and 20 Nm more than the 490 hp AT. The restyled version also supplies a measured 180 mm of ground clearance, while restyling 2 raises top speed by 10 km/h to 190 km/h.

Choose the 245 hp AT or AT 730 km if FWD is preferable and 8.5-second acceleration is sufficient. Both restyled versions share the same measured 245 hp, 330 Nm, 180 km/h top speed and 2390 kg kerb weight. The name AT 730 km contains a distance figure, but no separately measured range field is provided; range should therefore not be inferred from the version name.

Choose the first-generation 2.0T Plug-in Hybrid 4WD DCT if you want the strongest listed torque and the best calculable weight-per-horsepower figure. Its 820 Nm exceeds every electric version, and its 505 hp moves a 2220 kg kerb weight to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Choose the restyling 2 1.5 CVT when the newer Plug-in layout, Variable gearbox and lower listed kerb weight are the priorities. It weighs 2153 kg, which is 67 kg less than the first-generation Plug-in, but its horsepower, torque, acceleration and top speed were not measured. Without those figures or any price data, it cannot be declared the better-value or higher-performance Plug-in.