Review of the BYD Seal

The BYD Seal is BYD’s flagship electric vehicle (EV) aimed squarely at competing with established EV leaders like the Tesla and BMW. Positioned as a sleek, high-performance saloon, it offers a combination of solid range, luxury features, and cutting-edge tech that could make it a strong contender in the EV market.

Rivals to the BYD Seal include the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, BMW i4 and Polestar 2.

Our BYD Seal review covers:

• Sleek, sporty design with sharp lines and coupe-like silhouette
• Luxurious, tech-focused interior with premium materials and spacious environment
• 425-litre boot and an additional 53-litre front compartment
• 83kWh battery with up to 350 miles of range
• Two trim levels are available: Design and Excellence

Pros:

• Solid Performance
• Tech-Heavy Interior
• Comfortable yet fun to drive

Cons:

• Limited Rear Space
• Boot isn't the most practical
• Touchscreen hard to navigate on the move

The BYD Seal is designed to stand out with its sleek, sporty profile and modern aesthetics. Its smooth, flowing lines and coupe-like silhouette give it an aerodynamic edge that not only looks good but also helps improve efficiency. The front with its sharp headlights and minimalist grille, gives the car a futuristic yet elegant look. Inside, the cabin is equally impressive, with a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen dominating the dashboard, offering both functionality and a clean, modern layout. High-quality materials are used throughout, giving it a premium feel that rivals more established brands​.

In terms of practicality, the BYD Seal is a strong contender. The cabin is well-designed to maximise comfort and space for both the driver and passengers. While the front seats offer ample room and are packed with tech features like heated and ventilated seats, rear-seat space is slightly more limited, which could be a consideration for families or those regularly carrying multiple passengers. However, for a saloon of its class, the space is competitive, and the overall layout ensures good visibility and ease of use for daily commutes or longer journeys.

The BYD Seal also delivers when it comes to boot space. With a 425-litre boot at the rear and an additional 53-litre front compartment, it provides plenty of room for luggage, shopping, or any gear needed for a weekend getaway. This capacity, while typical for saloons, ensures that it remains practical for UK drivers looking for an EV that offers decent storage without compromising on style. The rear boot’s size is slightly impacted by the saloon body style, meaning the opening may not be as large as hatchbacks or SUVs, but it's still more than sufficient for most everyday needs.

The BYD Seal offers a refined interior packed with advanced technology and comfort features, providing a premium experience for drivers in the UK. Inside the BYD Seal, you'll find a spacious and luxurious cabin that blends sleek minimalism with advanced tech. One of the standout features is the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, which serves as the primary control hub for many of the car’s functions, including navigation, media, and climate control. This large screen is complemented by a 10.25-inch driver display, which provides crucial driving information such as speed, range, and battery status.

The interior uses high-quality materials, with leather upholstery standard across both trims. Heated and ventilated electrically adjustable front seats add to the comfort, while the panoramic roof fills the cabin with natural light, giving it a spacious and airy feel. The car also comes with dual wireless charging pads, USB-C sockets, and ambient lighting, enhancing both practicality and style.

The BYD Seal is available in two trim levels: Design and Excellence.

Design

The Design trim is the entry-level option in the BYD Seal range but is packed with features that offer excellent value. Here’s what you can expect:

• 305 bhp single motor powering the rear wheels
• 354 miles of range on a single charge, making it ideal for long journeys
• 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Heated front seats with electrical adjustment
• Dynaudio sound system for premium audio experience
• 360-degree camera and advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control

Excellence

The Excellence trim has all the features of the Design trim but takes things up a notch with additional power and premium features:

• 517 bhp dual motor setup with all-wheel drive for enhanced performance
• 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds
• Slightly reduced range of 323 miles, but with faster acceleration
• Extra tech such as a head-up display, projecting key driving information onto the windscreen

The BYD Seal offers an impressive blend of power, performance, and driving dynamics that are designed to appeal to drivers seeking a sporty yet efficient electric vehicle.  The BYD Seal is available in two variants, each with its own power setup, catering to different performance needs.

The first model is the Design trim, which features a 305 bhp single motor that drives the rear wheels. This version is capable of a 0-62 mph time of 5.9 seconds, making it more than adequate for daily driving while offering a range of 354 miles on a single charge. The power is delivered smoothly, and the long range means fewer stops to recharge, an attractive feature for those who travel longer distances regularly.

For those seeking more excitement, the Excellence trim delivers a 517 bhp dual motor setup with all-wheel drive. This model dramatically improves acceleration, achieving 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest EVs in its class. The additional power does reduce the range slightly to 323 miles, but this is still competitive when compared to other performance EVs in the market.

Both models feature an 82.5 kWh battery, which supports 150 kW rapid charging, allowing drivers to recharge from 10% to 80% in around 37 minutes, an ideal feature for those on the go.

The driving experience in the BYD Seal is designed to provide a balance between comfort and sportiness. The car’s electric powertrain offers instant torque, delivering a punchy performance that makes overtaking and accelerating a breeze. Even the rear-wheel-drive Design model provides engaging handling and responsiveness, while the Excellence variant, with its all-wheel-drive system, offers superior grip and control, particularly in challenging weather conditions.

Both trims are equipped with adaptive suspension, which ensures a smooth ride over rough UK roads, while maintaining a firm and planted feel when cornering. This setup strikes a fine balance between providing a comfortable ride for everyday use and a more dynamic experience when pushed harder. The steering is responsive, offering a good feel for the road, and the cabin remains quiet, thanks to the Seal's excellent insulation.

The BYD Seal is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £44,990.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £411.81.

If you're considering leasing a BYD Seal, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).

Leasing a BYD Seal can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.

It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.