BYD Seal 2024 review
Photo: Ethan Llamas (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The BYD Seal is the car that proved China could build a genuine Tesla Model 3 rival. Launched in the UK in late 2023, this sleek electric saloon pairs BYD's clever Blade battery — integrated directly into the body structure for extra rigidity — with the company's dedicated e-Platform 3.0. The result is a refined, long-legged cruiser that undercuts the usual premium suspects on price.
Two versions are sold. The £45,695 Design pairs a single 309 bhp motor on the rear axle with the 82.5 kWh battery for 354 miles of official range and a 5.9-second 0–62 mph sprint. The £48,695 Excellence adds a front motor for 523 bhp, all-wheel drive and a blistering 3.8-second 0–62 mph time, at the cost of range dropping to 323 miles. Both top out at over 105 mph and accept DC rapid charging at up to 150 kW, good for 10–80% in around 37 minutes.
Step inside and the Seal feels properly premium: a 15.6-inch touchscreen that rotates between landscape and portrait, a panoramic glass roof, heated seats and steering wheel, vegan leather trim and a heat pump — all standard, with paint and upholstery colour the only options. BYD backs it with a six-year, 93,750-mile vehicle warranty and eight years or 155,350 miles of battery cover.
It is not perfect. The infotainment interface can frustrate, and the ride never settles as sweetly as a Model 3's on broken British tarmac. But for sheer range, pace and standard kit per pound, the Seal is one of the strongest electric saloons you can buy.
Related reviews: BYD Atto 3 2024 review · BYD Dolphin 2024 review · BYD Seal U DM I 2025 review
UK price from: £45,695
Specifications
| Battery | 82.5 kWh (LFP Blade) |
| Power | 230 kW (309 bhp) RWD; 390 kW (523 bhp) AWD |
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 seconds (Design); 3.8 seconds (Excellence) |
| Top speed | 112 mph (Design); 108 mph (Excellence) |
| Range (WLTP) | 354 miles (Design); 323 miles (Excellence) |
| Charging (DC max) | Up to 150 kW (10–80% in ~37 min) |
| Transmission | Single-speed reduction gear |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive |
Features
- 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment display
- Panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade
- Heat pump for efficient winter range, fitted as standard
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
- 360-degree parking camera and powered tailgate
- Up to 354 miles of WLTP range (Design model)
- 150 kW DC rapid charging: 10–80% in around 37 minutes
- Blade battery with cell-to-body structural integration
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin pollen filter | £26.99 | Replace every 2 years or 20,000 miles |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £29.99 | Flat aero blades for the curved screen |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £139.99 | AGM type; dealer fitment recommended |
| Front brake pads (set) | £74.99 | Low-wear thanks to regenerative braking |
| Rear brake discs (pair) | £129.99 | Check for surface corrosion at services |
| Brake fluid change | £59 | Workshop service every 2 years |
Pros
- Outstanding range and pace for the money
- Comprehensive standard equipment list
- Quiet, comfortable and refined cabin
- Long six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty
Cons
- Rotating touchscreen is a gimmick that divides opinion
- Ride feels unsettled on rough UK roads
- Dealer and service network still growing
- 150 kW charging slower than some rivals
