BYD Seal 2023: An Impressive Electric Vehicle Experience

author: FutureCar Staff    

The BYD Seal is a next-generation electric vehicle that stands out among its predecessors. It offers a mature design and lives up to its billing with high-quality features and impressive efficiency. Although it comes with a premium price tag, the Seal competes well with its rivals in terms of performance and practicality. BYD is definitely a brand to keep an eye on in the EV market.

While some may question BYD's claim that the Seal is a next-generation EV, it is worth noting that the brand has made significant strides in a short period of time. The Seal is longer than the Tesla Model 3, providing a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate taller adults. However, the boot opening is narrow and the capacity is not the best in its class.

The BYD Seal is built on the e-Platform 3.0, which has been upgraded for the saloon's rear-wheel drive configuration. The top-spec Excellence model we tested also features an additional motor on the front axle. The car feels more focused and responsive, with firm but compliant damping and weightier steering. It offers impressive acceleration, beating BYD's own numbers with a 3.7-second 0-62mph sprint.

The Seal's ride quality and body control make it as entertaining to drive as a Tesla on the right road. It may not match the fun factor of the BMW i4, but it still offers a satisfying driving experience. The car's noise levels could be improved, although adverse weather conditions during our test drive may have affected this aspect.

When it comes to range, charging, and price, the BYD Seal holds its own. The rear-wheel-drive models are the most efficient, offering a maximum range of 354 miles from an 82.5kWh battery. The addition of the front motor reduces the range slightly, but it still provides over 200 miles of range at 65% charge. Charging is relatively fast, with a 30-80% charge taking 26 minutes. The price of the Seal is higher than the cheapest Tesla, but it offers competitive features and undercuts its US rival with the dual-motor option.

The BYD Seal is available in different trims, with the flagship Excellence AWD offering additional features such as adaptive dampers, a head-up display, and BYD's Intelligent Torque Adaption Control system. The interior is well-designed, with comfortable seats, a panoramic roof, and a high-quality infotainment system with Apple and Android connectivity. The overall quality of the car is good, and the double-glazed side windows contribute to a refined driving experience at higher speeds.

Model: BYD Seal Excellence AWD
Price: £48,695
Powertrain: 82.5kWh battery, 2x e-motors
Power/torque: 523bhp/670Nm
Transmission: Single-speed auto, four-wheel drive
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Range: 323 miles
Charging: 150kW, 30-80% in 26 mins
Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,800/1,875/1,460mm
On sale: Now

FutureCar Staff