BYD Han EV Flagship
The BYD Han, launched in July 2020, marked a turning point for both BYD and the broader Chinese automotive industry. As the first vehicle to feature BYD's revolutionary Blade Battery, the Han was tasked with proving that a Chinese manufacturer could build a premium electric sedan capable of competing with established players like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz. Named after the Han Dynasty, one of China's greatest imperial periods, the car carries a weight of cultural significance that resonates deeply with domestic buyers.
The Han EV Flagship features a dual-motor AWD powertrain producing 517 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, propelling the nearly 5-meter-long sedan from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The 85.4 kWh Blade Battery pack uses lithium iron phosphate cells arranged in a blade-like configuration, which BYD demonstrated could pass a nail penetration test without thermal runaway — a safety breakthrough that no conventional lithium-ion pack could match at the time.
The exterior design, penned by former Audi designer Wolfgang Egger, introduced BYD's Dragon Face 2.0 design language. The flowing lines, sharp LED headlamps, and chrome dragon-whisker accents give the Han a distinctive presence that breaks from the anonymous styling of earlier Chinese cars. The interior is equally impressive, with a 15.6-inch rotating central screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and materials including genuine leather and open-pore wood trim.
The chassis features an all-aluminum suspension setup with adaptive dampers on higher trim levels. The ride quality is tuned for comfort, befitting the Han's executive sedan positioning, though the Sport mode firms everything up considerably. Brembo brakes on the front axle provide confident stopping power despite the car's substantial 2,230 kg curb weight.
The Han quickly became one of China's best-selling premium electric sedans, regularly achieving monthly sales of over 10,000 units domestically. It has since been exported to Europe, where it competes directly with the Tesla Model S on price, and to Southeast Asia and Latin America. A facelifted version in 2023 brought updated styling, improved charging speeds, and enhanced driver assistance features. The Han's success proved that Chinese manufacturers could credibly compete in the premium segment.
Check for even panel gaps — early production cars had inconsistencies. Test the Blade Battery health via diagnostic software. Verify all over-the-air updates have been applied. Check suspension for noises over rough roads — some early cars had bushing issues. Test the driver assistance system calibration. Inspect for stone chip damage on the front bumper — the paint is relatively soft.
First production vehicle to use BYD's Blade Battery technology. Designed by former Audi chief designer Wolfgang Egger. Xi'an factory produces both Han EV and Han DM-i (plug-in hybrid) versions. The 2023 facelift added a revised front end and upgraded interior materials. Available in both RWD single-motor and AWD dual-motor configurations.