Driving the BYD Seal: is this Chinese EV worth considering over a Tesla Model 3?
January 17, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
If you’re in the market for an electric SUV, the Tesla Model 3 is probably the first car which springs to mind. But should you consider the BYD Seal instead? We find out.
The BYD Seal is making quite the splash as a new contender in the EV saloon game. With its sleek design, competitive pricing, and impressive performance figures, it’s determined to muscle in on Tesla’s Model 3 territory. But is it worth jumping ship?
The BYD Seal is a stylish-looking thing. Its streamlined silhouette takes inspiration from the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 – and that’s no bad thing. The sweeping roofline and sharp LED lights give it a premium vibe, although it might not feel entirely original. Inside, suede accents and a gigantic rotating touchscreen make it seem premium, but some cheap plastic touches let the side down.
Up front, there’s plenty of space and clever storage options, like a huge centre cubby and decent-sized glovebox. Rear passengers get decent legroom, but the low seats and reclined backrests might leave taller folks feeling like they’re sitting with their knees around their ears. The 402-litre boot is fine for weekend getaways but pales in comparison to the Tesla Model 3’s cavernous 594 litres. You also get a front boot for keeping your charging cables out of the way.
The BYD Seal is available with two motor and battery options: the rear-wheel drive Design with 313hp and a range of 354 miles, and the all-wheel drive Excellence with a stonking 530hp and a slightly shorter 323-mile range. A Tesla Model 3 will go further on a charge though, with rear-wheel drive models managing 436 miles between stops.
Acceleration is thrilling, especially in the AWD model, which even edges out the standard dual-motor Tesla in a straight-line sprint. A Model 3 Performance will go to 60mph almost a whole second quicker than the BYD though.
The 83kWh battery supports rapid charging up to 150kW, topping up from 10% to 80% in just 37 minutes. It’s not class-leading, but it’s good enough for most road trips.
The Seal’s sharp handling makes it a joy on winding roads, especially for a car tipping the scales at over two tonnes. It’s not quite as sporty as the Tesla Model 3, but it’s plenty of fun. Around town, it’s refined and comfortable over bumps, although the brakes are grabby, and the lack of a proper one-pedal driving mode is a shame. Motorway cruising is mostly serene, but the suspension occasionally feels jittery on uneven surfaces.
The party piece of the Seal’s cabin is its rotating touchscreen, which can switch between portrait and landscape modes. It’s a cool gimmick, but the shine wears off when you’re fumbling through menus just to adjust the climate control or turn off heated seats. Like many modern EVs, the Seal sacrifices physical buttons in favour of touchscreen controls – and it’s a real faff on the move. While the Tesla Model 3 is heavily reliant on the screen, it’s much more responsive and easy to use than the BYD’s system.
The BYD Seal is a stylish, capable alternative to the Tesla Model 3, with excellent performance and decent range. It’s not perfect – the usability quirks and cramped rear seating might frustrate some – but it’s a serious contender in the EV saloon market. If you’re after a well-equipped electric car with a touch of flair, the Seal is worth a look. However the Tesla still has the edge in terms of practicality and ease of use, and it’s cheaper to buy as well.
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