2024 BYD Seal Performance review (video)

Of all the EV manufacturers, BYD’s dominance has given Tesla an existential shock. As part of its Ocean series – which also includes the BYD Dolphin, SeaLion 06 and presently overseas-only Seagull, the BYD Seal has been a sale success, posting an impressive 5308 units to the end of September 2024. Only the Toyota Camry has beat it in the medium class (Tesla no longer supplies data to VFACTS).

As a rival to the Tesla Model 3, the Seal is a very sleek and modern looking contender. The headline act is the supercar-rivalling 3.8-second sprint claim across 0-100km/h. So proud of this attribute are BYD, the car features a ‘3.8S’ badge on the rear.

Featuring a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.219Cd, the Seal looks upmarket and unique with its concealed door handles, finned skirts and a distinctive overall design. The front end has a hint of McLaren about it, only spoiled in our opinion with the curved triple LEDs around the air curtains giving it ‘rat fangs’ look. Nevertheless a very promising-looking vehicle for an affordable price, how does it stack up in the real world?

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Specifications

Battery: 82.5kWh blade battery (LFP)
Output: 390kW / 670Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed dauto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 235/45
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2185kg
Power-to-weight: 5.60:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (NEDC/WLTP): 580km/520km
Max charging (AC/DC): 11kW/150kW

0-60km/h: 2.06 seconds*
0-100km/h: 3.96 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.58 seconds*
Top speed: 191.6km/h*
1/4 mile: 12.44 seconds at 178.3km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.071g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.80m in 2.96 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.259g*
Starting price: $68,748

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 BYD Seal Performance: How much does it cost?

The 2024 BYD Seal Performance has a starting price of $68,748 plus on-roads. This positions it competitively against rivals like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor. However, where the Seal Performance aims to differentiate itself is with a unique design and personality for the money.

For this price, you get an EV that’s packed with features often reserved for more expensive models. Standard equipment includes a panoramic glass roof (not openable), a large 15.6-inch rotating touch-screen, wireless phone charging, and a host of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

The Seal Performance also comes with an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the battery and a six-year/150,000km warranty on the vehicle itself – which is decent but not best in class. This is offset, to some degree, with up to eight years of roadside assistance, which is particularly appealing for Australian drivers who frequently undertake long road trips.

The Seal Performance, like the Premium, has a maximum charge rate of 150kW DC versus 110kW for the base model. It uses the now-ubiquitous CCS2 charging connector, which means more widespread public charger availability. BYD says it can charge from 0-80 per cent in as little as 30 minutes, with a home 11kW AC charger also available.

There are two cheaper models; the $49,888 (MSRP) Dynamic and Premium for $58,798. The Dynamic gives you 460km of range (WLTP) and a quoted 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds, versus 570km and 5.9s for the rear-drive Premium. The Performance tested here, on account of its dual motor (AWD) setup and 390kW/ 670Nm outputs has a slightly lower overall range of 520km.

The running costs are another strong point. With electricity prices significantly lower than petrol or diesel, and the reduced maintenance needs of an EV (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), the total cost of ownership is expected to be significantly lower than a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. However, the maintenance schedule for this car is slightly dearer than other EVs. Servicing intervals are every 20,000km or annually (whichever occurs first), with services varying between $165 and $936. The capped-price schedule can be found here.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Interior & packaging

As you approach the Seal with the (car-shaped) key in pocket, the con(seal)ed handles present themselves. Pull them and you are greeted by a very interesting cabin. Building on the ocean theme, there are organic curves and sweeping lines, ambient lighting and two screens.

In our opinion, BYD has successfully built interest with design here rather than premium-feeling materials. The pleather seats and most touch points are hard and/or cheap, but not off-puttingly so. We especially like the dual charging pads ahead of the crystal-like gear lever, with handy driving mode and volume dials.

The same can’t be said for the ‘DYNAUDIO’ stereo. While it features DAB+, the radio signal of many popular stations was frustratingly weak during our test and the volume level left my ear canals more unfulfilled than a promiscuous divorcee. A revision may be on the cards soon, bringing it more into line with the SeaLion 06.

Two massive wins are the presence of both the 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel as well as head-up display. Tesla offers neither of these, forcing the driver to keep half an eye on the right quadrant of its centre screen.

The main attraction of the interior is the 15.6-inch rotating touch-screen that dominates the centre fascia. This screen is not only impressive in size but also in functionality, offering crisp graphics and a responsive interface.

The rotating function allows the screen to be used in both portrait and landscape orientations, which is a neat feature that adds to the car’s futuristic feel. There are some buttons for climate, seat temperature and rear demister near the gear selector, but most functions are found in the screen.

In terms of packaging, the BYD Seal Performance offers plenty of room for five adults. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with ample adjustment options to find the perfect driving position. The rear seats are equally impressive, offering generous legroom (1500mm) and headroom (980mm) for rear passengers.

The Seal Performance’s overall dimensions are also noteworthy, with a length of 4800mm, a width of 1875mm, and a height of 1460mm. The wheelbase, at 2920mm, contributes to the spacious cabin but the low drag, coupe-like roofline may impede headroom, in some cases. A handy 50L frunk (front storage) gives it an edge over rivals such as the MG4, while a 400L boot increases room when the seats are folded.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Powertrain & handling

The slingshot acceleration you’d expect in a high-performance EV is an exhilarating highlight. It never gets old, and also translates to excellent response, giving you the audacity to seize traffic gaps you wouldn’t otherwise dream of. Propelled by BYD’s proprietary blade battery (LFP), of 82.56kWh capacity, the Seal Performance is a bit of a walrus at 2185kg (kerb weight), which creates a bit of a problem.

While, as with most EVs, the centre-of-gravity is low and it sports an on-paper accomplished chassis, the Seal Performance’s weight creeps up on you on sweeping bends or technical switchbacks. Turn-in is not overly eager, followed by a sharp increase of centrifugal force. This means you’re having to make steering corrections you otherwise wouldn’t be.

The MG4 XPower is a more accomplished handler in our opinion, and feels (and is) lighter in weight. Let alone the BMW i4, which is the benchmark for EV weight distribution and confidence-inspiring feedback in our view. This is not to say the Seal’s dynamics are poor – far from it – and to be fair, it is easy enough to compensate.

The Continental Eco Contact 6.0 tyres (235/45 R19 front and rear) do their utmost to put the power to the road, and do a great job most of the time.

In terms of acceleration, the best 0-100km/h we saw, using a Vbox, was 3.96 seconds, with the quarter mile crossed in 12.44 seconds at 178.3km/h. It also recorded a top speed of 191.6km/h. Although these figures are painfully fast, it isn’t as quick as some rivals that have less power. For example, we’ve timed the MG4 XPower (320kW) across 0-100km/h in 3.82 seconds, and the Volvo EX30 AWD (315kW) in 3.81 seconds.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are well-controlled, with the cabin remaining quiet even at highway speeds. The electric motors produce minimal noise, as with road and wind noise, which adds to the overall sense of refinement.

How safe is the BYD Seal? The BYD Seal has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It comprises of eight airbags as well as a suite of ADAS features, including lane departure warning, AEB, adaptive cruise, rear cross traffic alert and braking, blind-spot detection, door open warning, lane keep assist.

The Seal has been criticised in other quarters for its flawed ADAS, which is backed up by its 75 per cent Safety Assist Score in the ANCAP report. During our time, there was one incident of the autonomous emergency braking system slamming on with no provocation, so some calibration or over-the-air (OTA) updates might be needed there.

This is an impressive electric sedan that offers a lot for its price. With a sleek design, a spacious and luxurious interior, and strong performance, it’s an EV that has a lot to like. The interesting design of the interior and the advanced tech make the cabin a pleasant place to spend time, and the impressive range means you won’t be worrying about charging as often as with some other EVs.

However, there are some areas where it falls short. The car’s weight makes it less nimble than some of its lighter competitors, and while it’s fast in a straight line, it doesn’t handle corners with the same sharpness you might expect from something in this performance category. The ADAS features also require further refinement to match the more polished experience offered by rivals like Tesla and Polestar.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Impressive range: With up to 570km on a single charge, the Seal Performance offers excellent range for its class.
• Modern interior design: The flowing, organic lines inspired by the sea give the cabin a sense of elegance, with high-tech features like the 15.6-inch rotating touch-screen adding to its futuristic vibe.
• Powerful dual-motor setup: With 390kW of power and a 0-100 km/h claim of just 3.8 seconds, the Seal Performance offers plenty of thrills.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Key considerations before you buy

• Heavy in corners: The car’s weight is noticeable during dynamic driving, making it feel less agile than lighter rivals.
• ADAS needs calibration: The driver assistance systems feel less refined than those in some competitors.
• Crap audio: The aerial struggles to pick up some popular radio stations and audio quality is not up to scratch.

2024 BYD Seal Performance: Video