Summary
The BYD Seal is an all-electric executive saloon and the third model BYD has launched in the UK. As the brand’s new flagship model, the Seal poses direct competition to the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and Polestar 2.
“On price and equipment alone, the BYD Seal is an attractive proposition”, says Dave Humphreys of The Sunday Times, who adds that the car also drives with a similar degree of quality and finesse to its established rivals.
Car‘s Keith Adams explains that the Seal is more efficient than the BMW i4, more responsive than the Hyundai Ioniq 6, and has a higher interior quality than the Tesla Model 3. That said, Adams also concludes in his Parkers review that “the BMW i4 outdrives it, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more comfortable, and the Polestar 2 has a funkier interior and better infotainment.”
John McIlroy of Auto Express says that BYD has “a real star on its hands”, praising the saloon for its “generous” standard equipment list, its “solid” battery range and “respectable” charging speeds. On the other hand, several reviewers comment that the car’s rather intrusive safety assistance systems need some work. Evo‘s Sam Jenkins says this tech may prove to “be a sticking point for many.”
As of January 2024, the BYD Seal holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 77%. It gets top marks for its excellent safety rating and it produces zero tailpipe emissions. Please note, however, that the overall rating is still incomplete as we are awaiting full running cost data, and we obviously won’t get any meaningful reliability data for some time as the Seal is a brand-new car.
Seal highlights
- Refined and spacious interior
- Well-equipped as standard
- Competitive range and performance
Seal lowlights
- Slower charging than rivals
- BMW i4 has better handling
- intrusive assistance systems
Key specifications
Body style: Saloon
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £45,695 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.1 / 10
“The BYD Seal is an impressive package whether one highlights performance, specification or price. It’s without doubt a rival to Tesla.”
Author: Andrew Charman
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Seal feels like a mature product and more than lives up to its “next-generation” billing. But with that comes a tangible price premium that puts the sleek saloon on par with (or even slightly above) rivals, rather than allowing it to undercut them as before. Don’t let that dissuade you, however. This is a well-equipped, high-quality, admirably efficient and good-to-drive EV that stacks up well both on paper and in the real world.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Could the BYD Seal be the model that shifts Brits’ buying intentions towards the east? Persuading Tesla and BMW owners to switch will be a tough hurdle to overcome: as will bolstering brand equity in the UK.”
Author: Sam Phillips
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Business Car
Model reviewed: RWD 82 kWh
Score: 7 / 10
“As good as the BYD Seal looks, feels and performs, given the ultimate convenience and the exclusivity of Tesla’s charging network, we suspect BYD will still have an uphill battle for hearts and minds if it is to upstage Tesla’s EV pre-eminence.”
Author: Pete Tullin
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Seal is a convincing proposition against a Model 3, Polestar 2, BMW i4 or Ioniq 6. It’s more efficient than the BMW, more responsive than the Hyundai, roomier than the Polestar and better built than the Tesla. That is quite a reflection of the astonishing pace the Chinese motor industry has moved towards a dominant position in the electric car market.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.2 / 10
“BYD’s Tesla Model 3 rival shows how quickly the brand is improving, with a long range and impressive cabin.”
Author: Richard Ingram, John McIlroy
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The BYD Seal is an electric saloon car that looks to have all the right ingredients to take on the all-conquering Tesla Model 3 – indeed, if the Chinese maker can get the price right, it could even beat the industry stalwart at its own game. Strong range, decent practicality, an agreeable drive and plenty of kit set the BYD Seal up very nicely indeed.”
Author: Richard Ingram, John McIlroy
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Seal is a sleek, premium saloon car and from my first drive I think BYD has come up with a worthy alternative to the world’s best-selling car.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The all-electric BYD Seal offers punchy performance, range and an abundance of tech, but intrusive assistance systems will be a sticking point for many.”
Author: Sam Jenkins
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Excellence AWD
Score: 9 / 10
“Many people may have preconceptions about cars from Chinese companies that are new to the UK, for example in terms of the expected levels of quality. The BYD Seal should dispel such myths. It’s excellent to drive, the interior has a premium feel, and it features BYD’s Blade battery, which promises a 300-mile+ range along with high levels of safety. And then there’s the Seal’s competitive price. So manufacturers of other electric saloons should take BYD and its Seal seriously.”
Author: Paul Clarke
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Move Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Seal is a good electric saloon car. While its steering is a bit vague and some of the technology a bit awkward, it’s a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. The rear-wheel drive model in particular is likeable and capable, and if it is priced to undercut its main rivals, then it could well become a key player.
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“It’s easily the best product the company makes, and is the most impressive start-up product we can remember since Tesla or Polestar – and that alone makes it very tempting indeed.”
Author: Keith Adams
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“On price and equipment alone, the BYD Seal is an attractive proposition so it’s a welcome bonus that it also drives mostly with a similar degree of quality and finesse as its closest rivals, though some improvement is required in its driver assistance systems.”
Author: Dave Humphreys
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Seal is good enough to claim a few hearts and wallets with its dynamic ability and calm but well-appointed and spacious cabin.”
Author: Andrew English
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Smart styling and deft to drive, but this is an EV you’ll buy with your head rather than heart.”
Author: Stephen Dobie
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With its plush interior, high equipment levels and long range, the BYD Seal, especially in entry-level Design form, is a good alternative to the BMW i4 and the Tesla Model 3.”
Author: Dan Jones
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 76%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2024, the BYD Seal has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BYD Seal to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Seal, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 339 miles | A | 323 – 354 miles | A – A |
No data yet
As of January 2024, we don’t have independently verified data available for running costs (electrical efficiency, servicing and maintenance costs, insurance groups) for the BYD Seal. Check back again soon.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BYD Seal, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A4 | BMW 3 Series | BMW i4 | DS 9 | Genesis GV60 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Jaguar XE | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Polestar 2 | Tesla Model 3 | Volkswagen ID.7 | Volvo S60
More information
More news, reviews and information about the BYD range at The Car Expert
Buy a BYD Seal
If you’re looking to buy a new or used BYD Seal, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
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Subscribe to a BYD Seal
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
