Skywell BE11 Review UK 2026: Honest Verdict | anycolourcar

Quick Answer: The Skywell BE11 is a five-seat electric SUV with around 248 miles of WLTP range, a generous spec list including a panoramic roof and ventilated seats as standard, and a UK starting price around £36,000. After three months of mixed Barnsley driving — school runs, M1 trips and the odd Pennine hill climb — it makes a strong case as a value-led family EV, provided you're willing to back a newer brand.

If you've never heard of Skywell, you're not alone. The brand is part of Skyworth Group, a Chinese conglomerate better known in the UK for televisions. The BE11 is its first proper push into European EV markets, and we've had one on our forecourt at anycolourcar long enough to put genuine miles on it rather than a quick press-pool spin around a test track.

Here's what three months of real-world use actually tells you.

What is the Skywell BE11?

The Skywell BE11 is a midsize, five-seat, fully electric SUV. It sits roughly the same size as a Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage on the outside, but the wheelbase is longer, which gives it noticeably more rear legroom than either. There are two battery options — a 72kWh and an 86kWh — with WLTP-rated ranges of around 248 and 304 miles respectively. Power comes from a single front-mounted motor producing 201bhp.

It's built in Nanjing, China, and imported and serviced in the UK through a small dealer network. We're one of the few in South Yorkshire.

How much does the Skywell BE11 cost in the UK?

Pricing starts around £36,000 for the standard-range model and climbs to roughly £40,000 for the long-range version. That undercuts a comparably equipped Tesla Model Y by several thousand pounds, and it's broadly in line with — or cheaper than — equivalent trims of the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 once you spec them up.

The headline is the standard kit. Most rivals at this price treat features like a panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and synthetic leather as optional extras. On the BE11, they're standard. Once you actually compare like-for-like spec, the gap to rivals widens.

Real-world range: how far does it actually go?

WLTP figures are a polite fiction — every EV owner knows it. Here's what we saw in the long-range BE11 over a Barnsley winter and into spring:

• Mixed B-road and motorway driving in 4–8°C: 235–245 real miles per charge.

• Pure motorway run, 70mph, M1 to Sheffield and back: about 220 miles.

• Urban-only week (school run, Cortonwood, town centre): nudging 280 miles.

So the claimed 304 is optimistic, but the real-world delivery is competitive with anything else in the segment. Heat the cabin aggressively in January and you'll lose 10–15%, same as any other EV.

Charging the Skywell BE11

The BE11 supports DC rapid charging up to 80kW. That's where the value-led pricing shows its hand — rivals like the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 can take more than double that, hitting peaks of around 230kW.

In practical terms: a 30–80% top-up on a fast public charger takes around 40 minutes in the BE11, versus closer to 18 minutes in an Ioniq 5. If you're a driver who does occasional long motorway trips, that's a real difference. If you charge at home overnight on a 7kW wallbox like most owners, it's irrelevant — you'll wake up to a full battery either way.

What's it like to drive on Barnsley roads?

This is where the BE11 surprises. Barnsley driving is a mix of pothole-pocked back roads, fast A-roads like the A61 and A628, and the relentless gradient changes once you get out toward the Peak District. Most cheap EVs feel out of their depth on poor surfaces.

The BE11 doesn't. The suspension is on the softer side of firm, which is the right call for our roads — it absorbs the worst of Sheffield Road's potholes without floating over crests. Body roll is well controlled, the steering is light but accurate, and the regenerative braking is smooth enough to drive one-pedal in stop-start traffic on the way into town.

The only real complaint is wind noise above 65mph. The mirrors are large and the cabin is otherwise quiet, so it's noticeable. Not deal-breaking, but noticeable.

Interior, tech and the 12.8-inch screen

Inside, the BE11 punches well above its price. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.8-inch portrait touchscreen running Skywell's own software. It's responsive, the menus are logical, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard and wired.

Wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a Harman-tuned audio system are all included. Boot space is 467 litres — bigger than a Qashqai, smaller than a Tesla Model Y.

The bits that betray the price: some lower-dash plastics are hard rather than soft-touch, and the indicator stalk feels light. Neither matters much day to day.

Skywell BE11 vs MG ZS EV vs Tesla Model Y

The most useful comparisons:

• vs MG ZS EV: The Skywell is bigger, longer-range and better-equipped, but around £6,000 more expensive. If your budget is firm at £30k, the MG still wins. If you can stretch, the BE11 is the more convincing family car.

• vs Tesla Model Y: The Tesla charges faster, has the Supercharger network and stronger residuals. The Skywell has more standard kit, a more relaxed ride and a lower price. If you do long motorway trips weekly, buy the Tesla. If you don't, the Skywell is genuinely competitive.

• vs Kia EV6 / Hyundai Ioniq 5: The Korean pair are technically more advanced (faster charging, sharper styling) but cost £4,000–£8,000 more once specced up. The BE11 is the value play.

What about residuals and reliability?

This is the honest concern with any newer brand. Skywell has a limited UK history, so used-car residual values are still settling. Industry data suggests Chinese EVs are currently retaining around 45–50% of value over three years, versus 55–60% for established brands. That's improving year on year as confidence builds, but it's a real factor in a finance calculation.

Reliability-wise, our service team has had no recurring warranty issues across the BE11s we've sold or run on the demo fleet. The car comes with a 7-year/93,000-mile vehicle warranty and an 8-year battery warranty, which is competitive with anything in the segment.

Who should buy a Skywell BE11?

Buy the BE11 if:

• You want a generously equipped, comfortable family EV without paying Tesla money.

• You'll do most of your charging at home overnight.

• You don't mind backing a newer brand to save several thousand pounds.

Look elsewhere if:

• You do regular 200+ mile motorway trips and need the fastest possible rapid-charging.

• Resale value in three years is your top priority.

• You want a brand with decades of UK service history behind it.

The verdict

After three months, the Skywell BE11 has earned its spot on our forecourt. It's not the most exciting EV on sale, and it's not the fastest-charging. But for a family looking for a comfortable, well-equipped electric SUV that costs meaningfully less than the obvious rivals, it makes more sense than its low brand recognition suggests.

If you're in Barnsley or South Yorkshire and want to see one in person, we have demonstrators available at our Genn Lane showroom. A test drive will tell you more in 20 minutes than any review will in 1,500 words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Skywell BE11 a good car?

Yes — for the right buyer. It offers strong value, a generous standard spec, and competitive real-world range. Its weaknesses are slower DC charging than the best-in-class and uncertain long-term residuals.

Where is the Skywell BE11 made?

The Skywell BE11 is manufactured in Nanjing, China, by Skywell New Energy, part of the Skyworth Group.

How long does it take to charge a Skywell BE11?

On a 7kW home wallbox, a full charge takes around 11–13 hours depending on battery size. On a public DC rapid charger, 30–80% takes approximately 40 minutes.

Does the Skywell BE11 qualify for UK EV grants?

Standalone EV purchase grants for cars ended in 2022. The BE11 still benefits from low company-car BIK tax rates, exemption from London ULEZ charges, and competitive VED rates. Check the latest gov.uk guidance for current-year specifics.