Review: BYD Seal
BYD Seal Electric Car Review
You may not have heard of BYD, but there’s a good chance you’ll see a lot more of it soon. We’ve already had the Atto 3 arrive as the Chinese firm’s first car in the UK and now it’s weighing up against the all-popular Tesla Model with a distinctively named electric saloon - the Seal.
It joins the equally nautical Dolphin in the range but aims to take on Tesla at a game it has dominated for a number of years. Does it have what it takes? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
BYD hasn’t been around the UK scene for all that long. In fact, its Atto 3 only arrived earlier this year, so it hasn’t had as much time to build up a back catalogue of models as others in the market today. However, it does have a little more history worldwide than you might think.
BYD actually started life as a battery manufacturer back in 1995, so it’s definitely got more than enough learning when it comes to EV technology. It’s got a unique stance in that it creates all of its batteries itself - unlike other manufacturers which have to source them from third parties - so it’s less susceptible to parts shortages.
What’s under the bonnet?
There are two options of Seal to choose from - rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. However, both share the same 82.5kWh battery as well. If you’re after the most long-distance Seal, then you’ll need to opt for the former, which brings up to 354 miles in between charges. Switch to the all-wheel-drive and this falls to a still-respectable 323 miles.
Both bring some great performance, however. Rear-wheel-drive models in entry-level Design come with 309bhp and a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds, while all-wheel-drive ‘Excellence’ models gain that second electric motor to produce 523bhp in total, and allow for a fearsome 0-60mph time of just 3.6 seconds.
What’s it like to drive?
We tested out the Seal in its ‘hot’ all-wheel-drive setup. It’s got semi-adaptive suspension, so the ride is largely comfortable though it can feel a little bit edgy at slower speeds. However, the refinement is excellent and, even by modern EV standards, it’s really quiet. Long journeys should be very easy, that’s for sure.
With more than 500bhp in all-wheel-drive form, it’s definitely powerful enough. That said, the power delivery is nice and smooth, so you don’t need to drive it like your hair's on fire. The Seal is more than happy to take a more relaxed pace should you want to.
How does it look?
BYD definitely seems to have drawn inspiration from other manufacturers in the design of the Seal. There are some noticeably Tesla-ish angles to it, while the front end has more than a hint of Hyundai Ioniq 6. Tied together, however, it’s a smart-looking car and one which will definitely stand out.
On the Atto 3, BYD’s badging - which stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’ was proudly displayed at the rear of the car. However, following feedback from UK buyers - who don’t fancy having such a tagline emblazoned on their vehicles - it’s noticeably absent from the Seal.
What’s it like inside?
You can sense that there’s a true technology company behind the Seal - it’s absolutely packed with features. There’s a 15.6-inch touchscreen in the middle and you can change its orientation from portrait to landscape at the touch of a button. We found the portrait setting to be ideal for navigation and maps.
But tech aside, the build quality of the Seal is also spot-on. In fact, it does feel slightly above that in the Tesla Model 3 thanks to high-quality materials. There’s a decent amount of space, too, but it’s best to think of the Seal as a dedicated four-seater - the middle seat in the rear is a bit on the tight side.
What’s the spec like?
We’ve come to expect quite a lot of value from BYD and the Seal is no different. Loads of high-end features are included, with highlights including quilted leather seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and a full panoramic glass roof. There’s more than enough included as standard, that’s for sure.
BYD has yet to confirm how much the Seal will cost, but it has stated that it’ll be ‘very competitive’ in comparison to the Tesla Model 3.
Verdict
We’ve come away very impressed following the drive of the Seal. It’s got the quality that you’d expect from a more ‘traditional’ brand, but fitted alongside boatloads of tech that’ll keep even the most avid button-presser happy.
Going up against the Tesla Model 3 was never going to be easy, but, thanks to its technology and excellent range, we’d say that the Seal is in with a fighting chance.
Interested in the BYD Seal? Click here to view BYD Seal special offer.
