BYD isn't just introducing new cars in Europe. They're also planning to build cars in Hungary, which no other Chinese carmaker has done since MG closed the Longbridge plant. The Hungarian factory is still a few years away, but for now, we have the Seal. Despite its cutesy name, this car means business.
While the BYD Atto 3 and BYD Dolphin are aimed at lower segments as a crossover and a hatchback respectively, neither of them really stands out among the competition. However, the Dolphin is priced reasonably.
💡Table of Content
➥ Interior ➥ Verdict
The Seal, on the other hand, steps up BYD's game with rear-wheel drive, a large battery, a stylish aerodynamic body, and powerful performance. At first glance, it seems like a serious competitor to the Tesla Model 3. To see if it truly poses a threat, we've tested a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version extensively on the road.
➥ The Range Quickly
- Model - Design & Excellence AWD
- Power - 308bhp(Design) & 523bhp(Excellence AWD)
When you buy a BYD Seal, the main decision is whether you want the single-motor Design or the dual-motor Excellence.
These names might make it seem like they have different features, but except for the head-up display in Excellence, they're pretty much the same. The only extra cost options are fancy paint colors.
➥ Design & Styling ★★★★★
BYD's design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, has been working on the look of their cars since 2016. They've given the newer BYD models a similar style, which some people find a bit plain.
The Seal car has a sleek shape that helps it slice through the air smoothly. It looks a bit like Tesla's Model 3 but with its own unique touches, like small details that remind you of things you'd find in the sea, such as gills and scales.
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The car's headlights use LED technology, similar to some older Renault cars and the newer Tesla Model 3, but they're stylish and functional. The daytime running lights are built into black panels.
Underneath, the Seal uses BYD's special electric vehicle platform, called the e-Platform 3.0. The battery, called the Blade Battery, is different from what most other electric cars use. Instead of the usual materials, it's made with lithium iron phosphate, which BYD makes themselves. This type of battery is safer and lasts longer, but it's a bit bigger and heavier.
BYD has changed how they build the battery packs, using long planks instead of lots of smaller cells. This saves space and weight. The Seal is a heavy car, though, weighing more than BYD says it does.
The battery also makes the car stronger, according to BYD, though it's hard for us to check that claim.
There are two versions of the Seal. One has a motor in the back, while the other has motors in both the front and back, giving it four-wheel drive. Both versions have advanced suspension systems for a smooth ride.
➥ Interior ★★★★★
The inside of BYD cars has unique shapes and colors. Some people like it, but others may not. In a world where most cars have dull black and grey interiors, BYD's different style is nice.
The Seal, like other BYD cars, follows the same idea. If you're okay with the artificial vegan leather that feels a bit strange, the Seal is better than other BYD cars. The dashboard and door parts are soft and feel strong. Even the glossy black parts have interesting patterns.
When you turn off the car, a message shows up saying you can set the charging time on the multimedia. We're not sure what that means.
If the light blue color is too much, there's a black option. It's also easier to keep clean. Our test car got dirty quickly.
The only downside is the smell. It's not as bad as other BYD cars, but it's not great. Some people noticed it.
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Most things are controlled on the big 15.6-inch screen. It can rotate 90 degrees. There are some buttons for useful things, but others could be better. Adjusting the temperature or using heated seats is a bit complicated. The screen is good, but finding things in the menus can be hard.
You can set shortcuts, but they don't help much. Voice control isn't great either. You have to speak very clearly, and it can't do everything. The strange translations and punctuation in the interface don't help.
The Seal's inside has wireless charging, cupholders, a big armrest, and a tray under the console. It would be better if the tray didn't make things rattle.
The backseat is a bit smaller than a Hyundai Ioniq 6, but there's more headroom, and it's more comfortable.
➥ Infotainment ★★★★★
The big 15.6-inch screen and its ability to rotate catch your attention. When you first touch and swipe on it, you might think the screen looks great and responds well.
But when you actually use it, especially while moving, you might get frustrated. It's complicated and doesn't use the screen space well. The important stuff is hidden in menus.
The navigation system is okay but once led us into a traffic jam. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but neither works wirelessly. When you use CarPlay, it takes over the whole screen and stops it from rotating.
There's a feature to split the screen, but it only works with the built-in navigation and Spotify.
The sound system is made by Dynaudio, a good Danish company. It sounds warm, clear, and nice, like in the Volkswagen Touareg.
➥ Performance & Engines ★★★★★
- Acceleration (0 - 62mph) - 3.8 sec
- Total Power - 308bhp
- Top Speed - 111mph
- Total Torque - 265lb-ft
- Electric Range * - 354 miles
The dual-motor Seal is very powerful, with 523bhp, and can go from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Even the rear-wheel-drive version is strong, with 308bhp, which is more than its competitors. However, during a test at a cold and damp Millbrook Proving Ground, the rear-wheel-drive Seal didn't quite meet its expected 0-62mph time.
Despite its weight, the Seal is fast and can reach speeds up to 118mph. Unlike some other models from BYD, the Seal doesn't have the "Build Your Dreams" script on its back, which some European buyers didn't like.
On the road, the Seal feels quick, although its power drops a bit when the battery gets low. The throttle response is a bit tricky, as the car ramps up power gradually when you floor the accelerator, which can make it less intuitive to drive. The Seal has two regenerative braking modes, but they're not very strong, and the braking distance from 70mph is somewhat long.
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Overall, the Seal is a powerful electric family car, but it could improve in terms of throttle response and braking.
➥ Ride & Handling ★★★★★
This car, the rear-drive Seal, has a big difference in how its main and secondary rides feel. At first, it's a bit jolty, especially in the front, over bumps and holes in the road. But as you go faster, it smoothens out, although there's still some vibration in the steering wheel, especially on rough roads.
Compared to Tesla, the BYD car is different in how it handles suspension and interior design, which is good. But like Tesla, it relies on a big screen, just without the smart features.
Despite the bumpy ride, the car feels very comfortable overall, handling smaller bumps well. It's soft, but still controlled, and handles corners nicely, with a tendency to slightly slide, which makes it fun to drive.
You can't turn off the traction and stability control at high speeds, but that's okay because they work well, keeping the car stable without taking away too much power.
The steering is okay, nothing amazing, but it's precise enough and gives you a good sense of the road.
➥ Comfort & Isolation ★★★★★
The ride comfort of the Seal is a bit of a mixed bag. It feels a bit rough in town but gets smoother at higher speeds, although there are still vibrations in the steering wheel.
Despite some flaws, you can get used to them to some extent, especially considering the very comfortable seats. These seats are basic but come with heating and ventilation as standard, offer plenty of adjustment, feel soft yet supportive, and are great for long drives.
The driving position of the Seal is similar to that of a Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2. It's not extremely low like some petrol or diesel executive saloons, but it's low enough to maintain a sporty feel and doesn't cause headroom issues for taller drivers. You can adjust the steering column to get a comfortable position.
However, the memory function for the seats isn't very convenient to use. It's easier to just reset the seat manually.
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The noise isolation is decent, but it doesn't set any new standards. At 70mph, it recorded 68 dBA, just 1 dBA more than the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
➥ MPG and Operating Costs ★★★★★
- Price - £45,695 - £46,571
The Seal Design electric car starts at £45,695 and can go up to £46,571 if you choose Shadow Green or Indigo Grey paint. Other colors are free. There aren't many options to add. The Excellence model with dual motors costs £3000 more.
BYD isn't trying to be the cheapest, but it's cheaper than Polestar 2 Standard Range or Hyundai Ioniq 6. However, the Tesla Model 3 offers better value.
BYD gives a better warranty: up to six years or 93,750 miles, with two extra years for the drive unit and battery, which also covers up to 125,000 miles.
The car's economy display is a bit tricky. It only shows the lifetime economy and the last 50 miles. It might act weird after resetting and before reaching 50 miles. You can't choose the display unit either, and it shows kWh/100km on the center screen and kWh/100 miles in the gauge cluster.
In cold weather, the car's economy settles around 3.4 miles per kWh, giving a range of 279 miles. It has an LFP battery, so you can fully charge it without worrying about battery life. However, the range indicator might be too optimistic.
Rapid-charging performance is not great, especially in cold temperatures. It's rated at 150kW, but it only reached 135kW in testing, which is lower than Ioniq 6 and Model 3 RWD. The charging speed dropped halfway through but picked up after restarting.
During charging, a message shows up saying the battery is warming up. Having an easy way to pre-condition the battery would be helpful.
➥ Verdict
✓ Good
- Good range
- Sleek looks
- Strong range
- Long-distance comfort
- Good to drive
- Good value overall
- Excellent control and a fast ride
❌Cons
- Unpredictably irregular and slow rapid charging
- No hatchback
- Mixed ride quality
- Unsatisfactory assisted driving features
- Some cabin gimmicks
- Terrible user interface
The Seal is a med directly competing with the Tesla Model 3. It has a similar shape and rear-wheel drive setup. Among BYD's efforts, the Seal stands out as impressive. Except for some bumpiness at low speeds, its ride and handling are good, especially for UK roads.
Plus, it's comfortable for long trips with spacious seating and a practical interior. Its range is solid, and the durable LFP battery technology is appealing.
However, there are some issues. Steering vibrations, subpar driver assistance features, and a poorly designed screen for controlling media, climate, and assisted driving functions while driving detract from its appeal. Overall, the Seal is a nice electric car, but there are many others like it, often with better polish and lower prices.
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