2026 Skywell BE11 26MY vs MG, BYD, Hyundai, Kia & Peugeot: Is This the Smart-Money EV SUV?

The Skywell BE11 26MY has turned up in the UK EV market with a big battery, big spec and a big cabin – and a price that undercuts a lot of the usual names.

We’ve already looked at why it’s interesting in its own right, but how does it really stack up against the cars that UK buyers already know – MG, BYD, Hyundai, Kia and Peugeot?

We want Skywell to come out of this well (because the car genuinely looks strong), but it has to be honest. So here’s a straight-talking pros and cons comparison.

Official Skywell info is here if you want to see the full spec:
https://skywell-uk.com

Quick snapshot: What is the Skywell BE11 26MY?

Key 2026 highlights:

• Big SUV body – much closer to an E-Niro / BYD Atto 3 / Peugeot E-3008 than a Kona-sized crossover.

• Two batteries:

  • 72 kWh (Standard Range): up to 304 miles city / 248 miles combined

  • 86 kWh (Long Range): up to 401 miles city / 304 miles combined

• Full ADAS suite (26MY upgrades): Adaptive cruise, AEB, lane-keep, blind spot, rear cross traffic, driver drowsiness, traffic sign recognition, etc.

• Comfort & luxury kit: Heated & ventilated seats, memory driver’s seat, ambient lighting, panoramic Skyroof, Metz® premium audio, big screens, V2L 220v socket.

• Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles.

Now let’s see how that compares.

Skywell vs Hyundai (Kona / Ioniq 5)

Where Skywell Wins

• Space:

  • Kona Electric: compact crossover – fine for couples/small families.

  • BE11: proper big SUV. Far more rear legroom and a 689-litre boot (up to 1,608 litres seats-down).

• Spec-per-£:
  On Skywell, things like:

  • Heated and ventilated seats

  • Memory driver’s seat

  • 128-colour ambient lighting

  • V2L 220v socket
    are bundled in at a price that’s often below a top-spec Kona or Ioniq 5.

• Range vs price (Long Range):

  • BE11 26MY Long Range: 86 kWh, up to 304 miles combined from ~£34,990 (per Skywell).

  • Ioniq 5 with similar range is typically at a much higher list price.

Where Hyundai Still Has Pros

• Brand familiarity & dealer network:
  Hyundai is an established name with a huge UK footprint. Buyers know it and are comfortable with it.

• Software maturity & resale history:
  Hyundai has been doing mass-market EVs for longer. Long-term data for reliability and values is well established.

Skywell vs Kia (Niro EV / EV6)

Where Skywell Wins

• Kit for the money:
  Kia offers great equipment, but on BE11 26MY you’re getting a very “EV6-like” cabin experience (big screens, quality materials, ADAS, ambient lighting) at a price closer to a Niro.

• Luxury touches at a lower price point:

  • Ventilated seats

  • Driver’s comfort entry/exit

  • 128-colour ambient lighting

  • Panoramic opening roof
    …these are the sort of details you’d expect to pay good money for on an EV6.

Where Kia Still Has Pros

• Very strong brand reputation in the UK
  Kia’s 7-year warranty is now well-trusted, and their EVs have a big fanbase.

• Charging network integration & ecosystem
  Some Kia models are better integrated with public charging apps and ecosystems out of the box.

Skywell vs MG (MG4 / MG ZS EV)

MG is the “value king” at the moment, so this is an important comparison.

Where Skywell Wins

• Size & presence:

  • MG4: hatchback.

  • MG ZS: smaller SUV.

  • BE11: much larger SUV with noticeably more interior and boot space.

• Interior feel & refinement:
  Skywell’s faux leather + suede seats, ambient lighting and Metz® sound system give a much more “premium lounge” vibe than most MG cabins.

• Comfort extras:

  • Ventilated seats

  • Comfort access

  • Reclining rear seats
    …are rare in MG’s price bracket.

Where MG Still Has Pros

• Price point (especially MG4):
  MG4 undercuts nearly everyone on price. If budget is absolutely the top priority, MG still leads on entry-level cost.

• Brand momentum:
  MG has already built a big EV user base in the UK, with plenty of real-world reviews and word-of-mouth.

Skywell vs BYD (Atto 3)

BYD is another new-ish Chinese brand, so this is the “fair fight” comparison.

Where Skywell Wins

• Battery size & range (Long Range BE11):

  • BE11 Long Range: 86 kWh, up to 304 miles combined.

  • Atto 3: smaller battery options and slightly shorter real-world range (depending on model).

• Luxury tilt vs funky tilt:

  • Atto 3: funky, youth-oriented interior.

  • BE11: more traditional “luxury SUV” feel with ambient lighting, big comfy seats, panoramic Skyroof – better suited if you want premium over quirky.

• Boot space & cabin room:
  BE11’s 689-litre boot vs Atto 3’s smaller luggage area makes Skywell more appealing for families or frequent travellers.

Where BYD Still Has Pros

• Aggressive pricing & fleet deals:
  BYD has been very strong on fleet and lease offers, which boosts visibility.

• Brand backing:
  BYD is a huge global battery maker, which gives some buyers additional peace of mind.

Skywell vs Peugeot (E-2008 / E-3008)

Where Skywell Wins

• Sheer space:

  • E-2008: small SUV.

  • E-3008: mid-size.

  • BE11: is at least as big as E-3008, with a more “open” feel thanks to the panoramic Skyroof and large windows.

• Equipment level:

  • 360° camera

  • Automatic Park Assist

  • V2L 220v socket

  • Ventilated front seats

  • Memory seats
    Peugeot often reserves many of these touches for higher trims.

Where Peugeot Still Has Pros

• Design flair:
  Peugeot interiors and exteriors are very fashionable and well-known.

• Dealer network:
  Strong and long-established across the UK.

Honest Pros & Cons for Skywell BE11 26MY

Skywell BE11 26MY – Big Pros

• Space: One of the roomiest EVs at its price, with a truly huge boot.

• Spec: Full ADAS, big screens, ambient lighting, heated & ventilated seats, memory function, Metz® audio, V2L socket, Skyroof – all in one package.

• Battery & range: Up to 86 kWh and 304 miles combined range is serious firepower.

• Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles helps confidence and future resale.

• Value vs rivals: Feels like “premium SUV spec” priced closer to mainstream rivals.

Skywell BE11 26MY – Things to Think About

• New brand in the UK:
  Not as well-known as Hyundai, Kia or Peugeot, so some buyers may be cautious at first.

• Resale values still to be proven:
  The ingredients for good residuals are there (long warranty, big spec, good range), but the used market data is still young.

• Dealer coverage is growing:
  Network is expanding (including Barnsley), but not as dense as the mainstream brands yet.

Our Take as Any Colour Car

From where we sit:

• If you prioritise space, comfort, spec and range, the Skywell BE11 26MY looks genuinely strong against Kona, MG, BYD, Kia and Peugeot equivalents.

• If you value brand familiarity above all else, you might still lean towards Hyundai/Kia/Peugeot for now.

• For smart-money buyers who like to look past the badge and focus on what you actually get for your monthly payment, the 26MY BE11 is the kind of car that makes you stop and think.

Official info and full spec is here:
https://skywell-uk.com

Not ready for a brand-new Skywell?

If this has got you thinking about EVs in general, but you want a used or nearly-new option:

• Browse our current electric & hybrid stock:
  https://anycolourcar.com/car-search?finance-deposit=1000&finance-term-month=48&page=1&per-page=10&price-type=Finance&sort-by=age_oldest

• Get a valuation to see what your current car is worth:
  https://anycolourcar.com/sell

• Check your finance options in a couple of minutes:
  https://anycolourcar.com/finance/eligibility

https://skywell-uk.com

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