BYD Seal Review
By Motor Match • 01/11/2023
BYD isn’t wasting any time in progressing its line-up here in the UK. It launched with the Atto 3 SUV but now, hot on its heels, comes this - the Seal.
What is it?
The BYD Seal has been designed to directly compete with the likes of the Tesla Model 3, alongside other rivals like the Kia EV6.
But the Tesla Model 3 is an electric car which consistently tops the charts of most-popular EVs, so the Seal has got to do something pretty special to come out on top. We’ve been finding out what it’s like.
What’s new?
Though BYD might be a newcomer to the UK market, that’s not the case worldwide. In fact, it’s already the largest creator of ‘new energy’ vehicles, including fully electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid models. Believe it or not, it actually produces more of these than Tesla.
It started off in 1995 as a battery manufacturer above all else, which means it’s better equipped than most when it comes to electric technology. So whereas other manufacturers rely on separate suppliers for their batteries, BYD makes them themselves - so it’s less affected by variations in global parts supply. It means its technology is really well-evolved, too.
What’s under the bonnet?
The Seal is available in two setups; you can either have it in rear-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive. Both, however, utilise the same 82.5 kWh battery. In rear-wheel-drive, you’re getting 309 bhp and a 0-60 mph of 5.7 seconds which puts it in the ‘faster’ portion of the EV segment. You’re getting up to 345 miles of range in this setup, too.
Switch to the all-wheel-drive version and, because of the addition of an extra motor, the Seal produces an impressive 523 bhp. That means 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds. Despite this performance, the range isn’t too affected - BYD claims you should still see up to 323 miles from a charge. Plus, with a 100 kW maximum charge rate, a 30 to 80 per cent top-up can be completed in just 25 minutes - though the Tesla is quicker in this area.
What’s it like to drive?
Everything is pretty standard in the Seal to begin with. There’s a starter button, for example, which contrasts many of the latest EVs which have ditched this entirely to ‘switch on’ when you first sit in the car instead. There’s even a relatively conventional gear selector and the seats are nicely padded, so it’s all very comfortable. For newbies to the EV scene, it’s a reassuringly ‘standard’ place to be.
We tested out the all-wheel-drive version which, as well as its astounding performance, really impressed with its levels of refinement. These models get semi-adaptive suspension, too, which means that it does a good job of floating over road imperfections - though larger potholes did tend to upset it at lower speeds.
How does it look?
It’s fair to say that BYD has taken a bit of the Model 3’s design and added it to the Seal. It’s got that smoothed-out, soapbar-like look which the Tesla really took the heart, though from many angles you can see a hint of Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 in the Seal too.
However, it’s all very well-proportioned and good to look at. It’s worth mentioning that up to this point, the BYD name - or Build Your Dreams - has been emblazoned across the back of the company’s cars but, following a less-than-positive response in Europe, has now been ditched.
What’s it like inside?
If you were after a car which is absolutely brimmed with technology, then the Seal is definitely going to appeal. There’s a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen which dominates the central part of the cabin and you can rotate it at a touch of a button, too, switching from portrait to landscape in mere seconds. It’s a crowd-pleaser, for sure, but it’s also a really handy function.
The cabin quality throughout is good, however, with decent materials used throughout. It’s best to treat the Seal as a dedicated four-seater, too, as the central seat in the rear is quite raised and, as a result, will be a tight fit for adults.
What’s the spec like?
BYD has already established a reputation for not being shy about the amount of standard equipment it includes in its cars and the Seal is an extension of this. There are loads of great features included from the off, including quilted leather seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and a full-length panoramic sunroof. It means you’re not feeling short-changed in any way.
There’s plenty of assistance technology included as standard, too, while that large central screen isn’t just good to look at - it’s really sharp and easy to operate, too. However, since the vast majority of controls are located within the screen, it can be a little overwhelming to begin with though you do soon get used to it.
Verdict
The Seal represents the strongest offering that we’ve so far seen from BYD. It’s really nicely built, has plenty of on-board tech and offers plenty of range regardless of which version you opt for, so it could quite easily slot into a variety of driver requirements.
Going after the Model 3 was always going to be an uphill struggle, but given everything that the Seal has to offer, it’s definitely going into battle well-equipped.
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