2024 BYD Seal Performance review: Does the high-performance sedan have what it takes to tackle the Tesla Model 3?

July 14, 2024July 14, 2024 Toby Hagon 2753 Views BYD, BYD Seal, Seal

The BYD Seal is the EV newcomer’s weapon for tackling the success of the Tesla Model 3.

The mid-sized four-door sedan packs in plenty of luxury and tech into a sleek four-door sedan body.

But it arrives with a slicker price tag than the Tesla that singlehandedly breathed life into the flailing sedan market.

And the Seal – from a brand many Aussies still aren’t familiar with – is now the third best selling mid-sized sedan in the country, beaten only by the Toyota Camry and Tesla Model 3.

BYD Seal Performance — *The Seal Performance has a sleek four-door sedan body*

That means it’s ahead of some big name rivals, including the Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.

2024 BYD Seal price and equipment

The entry-level single motor BYD Seal Dynamic sells from $49,888 plus on-road costs.

For that you get a swag of fancy gear, including 18-inch alloys, a massive panoramic sunroof, a clear 360-degree camera , front and rear parking sensors, blind spot warning, two wireless phone chargers, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, power adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats and the ability to use your phone as the key.

Plus there’s a 15.6-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system is OK but nothing special.

There’s also a 61.44kWh battery with 460km of WLTP range. It drives a single electric motor powering the rear wheels to make 150kW and 310Nm.

Step up to the Premium ($58,798) and you get better brakes, real leather to replace the fake leather of the Dynamic, a head-up display as well as 19-inch alloy wheels with Continental tyres.

The battery also increases to 82.56kWh, upping outputs to 230kW/360Nm and increasing the WLTP range to 570km.

It’s the top of the range Performance ($68,798) we’ve tested here, bringing with it a heated steering wheel and frequency selective dampers that can adjust the damping force depending on the severity and sharpness of the bump.

Plus there’s the addition of a front motor taking the combined maximum outputs to 390kW and 670Nm, in turn lowering the 0-100km/h time to 3.8 seconds.

The BYD Seal Performance’s natural rival is the Tesla Model 3 Performance. So, does it have the smarts – and punch – to mount a solid go-fast EV case?

2024 BYD Seal Performance: What we think

The BYD Seal is one of those cars that surprises from the outset – and it’s in the cabin where that is most obvious.

There’s a richness to the finishes and materials that exceeds expectations at its price point. Quilted leather, stitching and ambient lighting makes for an upmarket space.

Some of the plastics aren’t quite as convincing, but on the whole it makes for a luxury look and feel.

No shortage of tech, either.

The central screen is super clear with a terrific 360-degree camera. There’s plenty packed into it, too, although you need to know your way around the various apps.

One gripe: If you’re entrenched in Apple CarPlay it’s a few button presses to get back to the ventilation system to adjust the temperature or fan speed, which is less than ideal.

You can also achieve some of that functionality through the instrument cluster using buttons on the steering wheel, but it’s still not as easy as having fixed buttons.

Inside, there’s also decent space.

Up front are nicely bolstered seats and some interesting storage options, including a handy binnacle underneath the centre console.

The vast sunroof makes for a welcoming space and you can clip in shade panels to reduce the glare (which is already dulled courtesy of tinting).

A flat floor in the rear and respectable legroom makes it an adult-friendly place.

The boot is OK at 400 litres, plus there’s a 50-litre frunk, or front trunk.

On the road there’s also some pleasant surprises.

Riding on 19-inch wheels and with frequency selective dampers – to adjust the damping force depending on the size and harshness of the bump – makes for a decent ride.

Continental tyres provide ample grip allowing you to explore the potential of what is a brisk four-door.

It’s refreshingly capable when you pitch it at a corner, although at almost 2.2 tonnes it’s a weighty device that occasionally reminds you of the laws of physics.

The Seal ultimately goes hard, but it does it differently to other high performance EVs.

There’s less of the ultra EV sensitivity and immediacy you may experience in a Tesla when you press the throttle, with a swift but slightly delayed build-up of energy.

When everything kicks in, though, it pulls laugh-out-loud hard.

There’s immense acceleration and little to doubt the 3.8-second 0-100km/h claims.

Even if it pushes into the low-four-second bracket it’s still deceptively fast, albeit with less immediacy than some EVs.

That delayed reaction also works when you lift off the throttle, too, with a willingness to keep surging forward.

With an adjustment to the driving style and some anticipation it all works fine and the Seal Performance is an easy and enjoyable car to live with.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Verdict

The 2024 BYD Seal Performance is a long way from perfect, but its sharp price tag allows it some leniency when it comes time to give it a ranking.

Its easygoing and upmarket cabin sets the scene early and the long list of standard fare easily justifies the price.

The driving experience is hit and miss and if you want something to tackle the Tesla Model 3 Performance then this isn’t it.

Yes, it’s quick, but the Tesla will give it a blood nose.

Still, it’s loaded with thrust, providing plenty of the thrills those wanting something above average will relish.

2024 BYD Seal Performance specifications
Price: $69,749 drive-away
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, sedan, AWD
Range: 520km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 82.56kWh
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km (guarantee of 70 per cent of original capacity)
Energy consumption: 16.4kWh/100km
Motors: 1 front 160kW/310Nm and 1 rear 230kW/360Nm, combined outputs 390kW/670Nm
AC charging: 7kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 150kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds