SUVs are inherently American vehicles, with steeds like the Chevrolet Suburban and Jeep CJ 4×4 pioneering the concept, followed by the International Scout and Ford Bronco taking it to even greater heights. However, as knowledgeable off-roaders know, the SUV concept isn’t off-limits to the rest of the world. Land Rover, Toyota, Subaru, and even Honda have all made their mark on SUVs, whether with traditional body-on-frame SUVs or modern crossovers.
Now, another major international automaker has entered the chat. In 2024, the Chinese conglomerate BYD Auto introduced the Yangwang U8, and the buzz in the SUV world hasn’t stopped. Combining raw power, vintage off-road capability, upscale style, and plug-in hybrid power, it’s their answer to the modern super SUV. Yet while it could eventually make its way around the world, for now the Yangwang U8 is only available to Chinese audiences.
As such, it can understandably be hard for non-SUV diehards and Americans to understand what the fuss is about. Let’s take a look at BYD Auto, how the Yangwang U8 is changing the SUV game, and whether we might eventually see it stateside.
Who Is BYD Auto, and What is Yangwang?
Although it hasn’t come to North America as of this writing, BYD Auto is the best-selling automaker in China. Over recent years, it has also expanded to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Mexico. Because of this aggressive expansion and an emphasis on affordability, BYD became the world’s number-one passenger EV brand in late 2023, not by a slim margin. When you combine BEV and PHEV sales, there have been months when BYD more than doubled the units sold by number-two Tesla. They’re not just about budget vehicles, though. Other BYD brands include Denza for premium EVs and Fangchengbao for luxury vehicles.
It’s fair to compare BYD Auto to other automotive conglomerates like Mercedes-Benz Group, Volkswagen Group, and General Motors, in that they offer a range of vehicles for different needs and audiences. The Yangwang U8 was the first vehicle under the Yangwang Auto nameplate, which BYD is positioning as a “super-luxury” brand even higher than Fangchengbao. This is much like Mercedes-Maybach for Mercedes-Benz or Bentley for Volkswagen. When the vehicle was announced, it was the most expensive electric car ever sold in China (though the Yangwang U9 soon surpassed it).
What Is the Yangwang U8?
Given the worldwide popularity of SUVs and crossovers, it’s not surprising that BYD would pick such a vehicle to debut the Yangwang brand. But instead of playing it safe with the crossover route, BYD has gone full-blown SUV, emphasizing off-road performance and an almost obnoxious level of power. It may be of Asian origins, but once you get past the PHEV design, the Yangwang U8 feels like an American vehicle: big, loud, brash, and unapologetic in every way.
A 2.0L turbo I-4 gas engine doesn’t sound like much on the surface. This engine isn’t really running the U8, though. It’s more like a generator that charges the 49.1-kWh battery. In turn, that battery operates four electric motors, one for each wheel. Together, they produce 1,180 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque, which are numbers we normally only see from supercars and hypercars.
Furthermore, the Yangwang U8 is huge. The base model measures almost 210 inches long and weighs over 7,600 lbs, almost four tons. A new extended-wheelbase version has also been introduced, with three rows of seating. All that mass is supported by a heavy-duty chassis, 22- or 23-inch wheels, and 50-series tires. Despite the high weight, the U8 zipped from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds during MotorTrend testing, and it has an air-ride suspension to improve comfort on all terrain. The total range exceeds 600 miles, letting you travel all day.
Then there’s the tech that gears it up for off-roading and overall fun. Each production U8 has a tank-turning mode to spin and dance around the tightest trails. A Yachting mode lets the SUV float on water for up to 30 minutes while traveling nearly two mph, though you need to have the vehicle serviced within eight hours to keep the warranty active. You can wade through 39 inches of water in the standard U8 and 55 inches in the U8 Off-Road Master, which also has a snorkel and side ladder. A system of 38 cameras and sensors allows Level 2 advanced driver assistance. Inside, you’ll find all-leather upholstery, ergonomic seating, easy-to-use controls, and a 12.8-inch curved infotainment screen.
The best way I can describe the BYD Yangwang U8 is that the modern GMC Hummer and Land Rover Defender got married and had kids. When cruising on main roads, it’s a status symbol that others find impossible not to notice. On trails, overland terrain, and even rivers, the Yangwang U8 shows its off-road roots.
Why Isn’t the Yangwang U8 Available in the U.S.?
As of publication, the Yangwang U8 is only sold in China. BYD confirmed in late 2023 that the vehicle would eventually be available in Australia. While some touring and testing have been done down under, the vehicle may not officially go on sale for a few more years. The automaker has also demonstrated the SUV at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea and the now-former Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland, but no date or timetable has been set for entering either of these markets.
One place you shouldn’t expect to see the Yangwang U8 anytime soon, though, is the U.S. No BYD vehicles are sold in the U.S., and even an eye-popping vehicle like the Yangwang U8 won’t change that. The biggest reason why is something many readers are tired of hearing about: tariffs. In May 2024, U.S. tariffs on imported Chinese EVs rose to 100%. In other words, for every dollar the vehicle is worth, the automaker must pay another dollar in tax. The Yangwang U8 launch price was converted to $233,000, and doubling that made it nearly impossible to compete against other SUVs, even when offering what may be a superior vehicle. Certain Chinese hardware and software commonly used in EVs are even facing bans over the next few years, presenting another barrier to the U.S. market.
Realistically, the only ways a BYD Yangwang U8 may eventually see U.S. soil is if Chinese EV tariffs are lessened, the proposed bans are overturned, or if BYD Auto starts producing them in a country that isn’t currently as affected. BYD does have some manufacturing facilities in other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil, and it is working on setting up plants in Mexico and Hungary. However, their output is a small fraction of the company’s total production, and outfitting an existing facility to make the Yangwang U8 would likely take years, meaning a U.S. Yangwang U8 remains a pipe dream until confirmed otherwise.
Admiring the Yangwang U8 From Afar
For now, all we in the U.S. can do is ogle at the Yangwang U8 in photos and videos online, or listen to stories about its remarkable performance. It’s setting the bar for electric and hybrid SUVs, showing that Chinese automakers aren’t just churning out cheap EV compacts. I expect this top-of-the-line PHEV SUV to continue making noise on- and off-road, and I’ll envy each new market that gets its hands on the Yangwang U8.
