Make and model: Skywell BE11
Description: Mid-sized electric SUV
Price range: £36,990 to £38,995
Summary: The Skywell BE11 enters a crowded electric SUV market with strong equipment levels and sharp pricing, but it’s simply not very good to drive and lacks the polish of better rivals.
For a broader ownership picture, see our Skywell BE11 Expert Rating, which combines media reviews, safety data, reliability, running costs and warranty cover.
Introduction
The Skywell BE11 is a mid-size electric SUV and the first model from the Chinese brand to reach the UK. It enters a crowded and highly competitive market, where buyers have a growing number of established and new electric SUVs to choose from.
Early media reviews have been broadly critical, and our own UK launch drive suggests the BE11 struggles to match the standards set by most of its rivals. While it offers generous equipment and competitive pricing, its overall execution falls well short in several key areas.
Price and equipment
The Skywell BE11 is positioned as a value-focused electric SUV. Standard equipment levels are generous, with a large touchscreen, digital instruments, and a long list of driver-assistance features included from the outset.
On paper, it appears competitive. Buyers get a decent driving range, plenty of standard kit and a price that undercuts several better-known alternatives.
However, value for money is not just about equipment levels. It also depends on how well a car performs in everyday use. In this respect, the BE11’s appeal is weakened by shortcomings elsewhere.
Inside the car
The BE11 offers plenty of space for passengers, particularly in the rear. Headroom and legroom are generous, and the boot is a useful size for family duties.
Material quality, however, is mixed. Some surfaces feel solid enough, but others appear below the standard now expected in this class. The overall design lacks the polish and coherence of many competitors.
The touchscreen is large but not especially intuitive. Menus can be awkward to navigate, and some functions are buried in submenus that distract from the driving experience. While most modern cars rely heavily on screens, the BE11’s system feels less refined than many alternatives.
Practicality is acceptable overall, but it does not stand out in a market where rivals often combine strong packaging with better quality execution.
On the road
Comfort is one of the BE11’s stronger areas. The ride is generally compliant at lower speeds, and the electric powertrain is smooth in normal driving.
However, refinement is less convincing at higher speeds. Road and wind noise become more noticeable, and the overall driving experience lacks polish.
The steering feels vague and offers limited feedback, which reduces confidence on faster roads. Body control is also less composed than many rivals, and the BE11 does not feel particularly well tied down through corners.
Performance is adequate rather than brisk. It is sufficient for everyday use, but it does not feel especially responsive or engaging.
Overall, while the BE11 is not uncomfortable, it struggles to deliver the composure and driver confidence expected in this class.
Verdict
The Skywell BE11 enters one of the UK’s most competitive electric SUV segments but fails to distinguish itself in meaningful ways.
It offers generous standard equipment, reasonable space and competitive pricing. However, its driving experience and overall execution fall short of the standards set by many alternatives — including several other new entrants from China.
For buyers prioritising equipment levels above all else, the BE11 may warrant consideration. But for most customers, there are stronger and more rounded choices available at similar prices.
We like:
- Generous standard equipment
- Spacious rear seats
- Competitive pricing
We don’t like:
- Simply not very good to drive
- Inconsistent material quality
- Touchscreen lacks polish
- Refinement trails key rivals
You can also see how the Skywell BE11 performs across safety, reliability, running costs and warranty cover in our full Skywell BE11 Expert Rating.
Similar cars
BYD Sealion 7 | Citroën ë-C5 Aircross | Ford Explorer | Geely EX5 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | KGM Torres EVX | Kia EV5 | Leapmotor C10 | Mini Countryman Electric | Nissan Ariya | Peugeot e-5008 | Renault Scenic E-Tech | Skoda Enyaq | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y | Toyota bZ4X | Vauxhall Grandland Electric | Volkswagen ID.4
Key specifications
Model tested: Skywell BE11 Long Range
Price as tested: £39,995
Motor: 150kW single electric motor
Gearbox: Single-speed automatic
Power: 204 hp
Torque: 320 Nm
Top speed: 93 mph
0-62mph: 9.6 seconds
CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
Euro NCAP safety rating: Not yet tested (February 2026)
TCE Expert rating: D (as of February 2026)
