Keys Points
BYD Seal Variant Range: The BYD Seal lineup offers three variants - Dynamic, Premium, and Performance - catering to diverse driving needs.
Enhanced Interior Design: BYD Seal's interior boasts upgraded materials and ergonomic design, offering comfort and luxury akin to premium counterparts.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Featuring a 15.6-inch touchscreen, HUD, and premium sound system, the BYD Seal integrates advanced tech seamlessly for an enriched driving experience.
The BYD Seal breaks the brand mould, from simple good value EVs to good-value, great-driving, great-styled EVs.
It's the new benchmark for compact EVs and while the BYD Seal may compete for buyers at the lower end of the Model 3's pricing, just remember the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class have existed for many years in the BMW 3's benchmark shadow, and they still sell plenty.
While I believe the BYD Seal will attract some Tesla Model 3 buyers, I don't think it's going to eat all of its cake at this stage of the game. Brand image still counts for something.
The BYD Seal shatters the conventional mold, transforming from merely competent electric vehicles into exceptional offerings that combine value, performance, and style seamlessly.
Certain truths in life remain indisputable; pleasing everyone is an impossible feat, and a compact Chinese EV sedan priced between $60 - 80K is inevitably scrutinised against the gold standard set by the Tesla Model 3.
Undoubtedly, comparing the BYD Seal to the Model 3 is warranted, given its remarkable features. However, the notion circulating online of a car emerging to obliterate the Model 3 is somewhat exaggerated.
Setting the Tesla Model 3 aside, the BYD Seal represents a pivotal moment for BYD, marking a departure from the norm in several crucial aspects, ultimately making it BYD's finest creation yet.
Aesthetically, the BYD Seal's design is bound to captivate the masses. Its modern side profile, accentuated by a short front overhang and elongated hood, exudes a sporty allure. The high bodyline, paired with sleek windows and a subtly elevated rear trunk deck, completes the visually pleasing silhouette, while the 19-inch diamond-cut fan blade alloys add a touch of elegance to the wheel arches.
Belonging to BYD's Ocean lineup, the Seal incorporates various nods to its aquatic theme, evident in details like water droplets adorning the rear 3/4 window and the intricate design of the rear LED light cluster.
BYD Seal Variant Range
In the realm of BYD's Australian offerings, the captivating BYD Seal comes in three enticing variants: Dynamic, Premium, and Performance, each poised to redefine electric driving experiences.
Kicking off the lineup is the entry-level Seal Dynamic, boasting a starting price of $49,888 plus on-road costs. Powering this dynamic variant is a robust 61.4kWh battery, channeling its energy to a single 150kW/310Nm electric motor at the rear wheels. With an impressive claimed WLTP driving range of 460km, the Seal Dynamic sets the stage for electrifying journeys.
Stepping up the game, the mid-spec Seal Premium takes center stage, offering enhanced performance and range. Priced at $58,798 plus on-roads, this variant promises an extended driving range of 570km, courtesy of its upgraded 82.6kWh battery. Bolstered by a mighty 230kW/360Nm electric motor, the Seal Premium delivers a driving experience that transcends expectations.
At the zenith of the lineup reigns the flagship Seal Performance, a pinnacle of electric engineering prowess. Sharing the same formidable 82.6kWh battery array as its Premium counterpart, the Performance variant elevates the driving experience with its all-wheel-drive configuration. With electric motors gracing both front and rear axles, the Seal Performance unleashes a combined output of 390kW and 670Nm, propelling it from 0–100km/h in a jaw-dropping claimed time of 3.8 seconds.
However, this exhilarating performance comes with a slight trade-off in driving range, as the Performance model boasts a claimed range of 520km, slightly reduced compared to the Premium variant. This disparity can be attributed to the Performance model's heftier build, weighing 130kg more, primarily due to its all-wheel-drive architecture.
Interior - Moving to the interior, where personal taste reigns supreme, BYD has often faced criticism for its interior design choices. Nevertheless, the interior of the BYD Seal represents a significant improvement, featuring upgraded materials such as quilted leather and micro suede, meticulously crafted to enhance the overall ambiance. The front seats, reminiscent of the Audi RS3, boast large shoulder wings, adding a touch of sophistication. Embracing the oceanic theme, the cabin design flows seamlessly, echoing the gentle undulations of waves, a commendable deviation from the ubiquitous minimalist trend.
In the rear, passengers are treated to ample legroom, courtesy of the extended wheelbase, and a comfortably reclined seating position. Material quality remains consistent throughout, with rear passengers provided with convenient USB ports for charging devices.
Tech & features - Technological prowess takes center stage with the 15.6-inch touchscreen, a versatile feature that seamlessly transitions between landscape and portrait orientations. Accompanying this is a HUD and a premium 775W, 12-speaker surround sound system from Dynaudio, a departure from the norm for BYD. Additionally, the inclusion of a 220V socket in the rear further enhances convenience.
Battery, range, charging
Under the hood, the BYD Seal boasts the innovative e-platform 3.0, featuring an 800V architecture and the revolutionary BYD LFP Blade Battery. Introducing Cell-to-Body technology, the battery doubles as a structural component, enhancing rigidity while reducing weight. The unique hexagonal shape of the Blade battery cells allows for increased density, resulting in impressive claimed ranges of up to 600km on a single charge.
Is the BYD Seal energy-efficient?
The estimated energy consumption for the all-wheel-drive BYD Seal Performance is 18.2kWh per 100km in European WLTP testing. Our time with the Seal, covering 334km of mixed driving conditions, saw 16.9kWh/100km.
The 82.6kWh battery can take both AC and DC charging at a maximum rate of 7.2kW and 150kW respectively. Using a 7kW home-installed wallbox will take around 11.5 hours to recharge from zero to 100 percent. A 50kW public charger will take considerably less time – unsurprisingly – around 50 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. Going all-in on a fast charger reduces that to 26 minutes from 30 to 80 percent, but be aware the BYD Seal can only take a maximum of 150kW, so using a 350kW super-charger won’t be any quicker.
How much does the BYD Seal cost to maintain?
BYD provides extensive coverage for the Seal, offering a standard six years/150,000km warranty and the battery enjoying an eight years/160,000km warranty. While the battery warranty aligns with industry standards, the vehicle warranty may seem slightly conservative in terms of mileage. It's worth NOTING that BYD imposes conditions on its vehicle warranty, with various components, including suspension and infotainment, receiving shorter coverage. For detailed terms and conditions, refer to the BYD Australian company website.
Service intervals occur every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. With BYD's Standard Service Plan, the first visit to the workshop at three months/5000km is complimentary. Subsequent services are priced at $189 for the first annual, 20,000km service, followed by $370 at 24 months/40,000km, $189 at 36 months/60,000km, $447 at 48 months/80,000km, and $189 at 60 months/100,000km.
The total cost for three years' scheduled servicing amounts to $748, while opting for five years of service totals $1384. These rates reflect a commendably reasonable offering.
Conclusion
The BYD Seal redefines the brand's identity, transcending from basic affordability to a realm of unparalleled value, performance, and style. While it may vie for attention within the Model 3's price bracket, it's worth noting that established competitors like the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class have thrived alongside industry giants, proving that brand image still holds significant sway in the market.
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