BYD Seal

How much is the BYD Seal’s price? 

The Seal is priced between 1,64,900 SAR and 194,900 SAR. 

How many variants are there in the BYD Seal?

The BYD Seal is offered in three distinct variants: Dynamic Range, Premium Range, and Performance.

What features does the BYD Seal get?

At the forefront of the Seal's interior experience is the 15.6-inch touchscreen, a hallmark of BYD’s innovation, with its unique motorized rotation capability allowing for both landscape and portrait orientations. However, a drawback is the integration of the air conditioning controls within a sub-menu on this screen, despite the abundance of functionalities available.

A standout feature is the 360-degree camera feed, which can be displayed while driving. On the downside, the HVAC controls, including seat temperature adjustments and vent direction (similar to the Porsche Taycan), are also managed through the touchscreen. 

The ‘swing’ function, which circulates air like a table fan, offers a fun workaround. Connectivity options include a mix of USB A and C ports, wireless Android Auto (with wired CarPlay), and a voice assistant. The Dynaudio music system delivers impressive audio quality.

How spacious is it?

The front seats, which are quilted, heated, and ventilated, offer a plush feel, although they lack sufficient lumbar support. The rear seating area is particularly noteworthy. Entering requires ducking under the roof and settling onto a bench positioned close to the battery-packed floor, but once seated, comfort is exceptional. Despite what should be a knees-up position, the long seat squab and heavily reclined backrest ensure a relaxed posture. 

The legroom is abundant, though footroom under the front seats is somewhat restricted by the high floor. The fixed glass roof extends far back, providing ample headroom, though the cabin can become quite warm after prolonged exposure to sunlight. An internal shade, available as an accessory, can mitigate this issue.

For luggage, the Seal offers a practical 50-liter drink and a reasonably sized 400-liter boot with additional covered storage beneath. However, the absence of a spare tyre, replaced by a puncture repair kit, may be a downside for some buyers.

What powertrain options are available?

The larger battery variant can be charged at up to 150kW on a DC fast charger, achieving 0-80 percent in just 45 minutes, while the smaller battery supports up to 110kW. On an AC charger, all models are limited to a slower 7kW.

The 313hp, 360Nm BYD Seal Premium impresses more with its power delivery than its outright performance (sub-6-second 0-100kph time, as per onboard telemetry). Unlike the abrupt acceleration typical of many EVs, the Seal delivers torque progressively, mimicking the smoothness of an internal combustion engine, yet still providing the exhilarating punch expected from an EV. This balanced power distribution enhances the driving experience and makes other EV powertrains seem simplistic by comparison.

What’s the range of the BYD Seal?

The BYD Seal comes with three powertrain options. The Dynamic variant features a 61.44kWh (net) battery with a single rear-mounted motor generating 204hp. The Premium variant upgrades to an 82.56kWh battery with a 313hp motor, while the Performance variant adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and a combined output of 530hp. 

The Dynamic variant offers the lowest range, with 510km on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), while the Performance variant achieves a range of 580km. The mid-range Premium variant boasts the highest range, at 650km.

How safe is the BYD Seal?

The Seal’s safety features are comprehensive, including 10 airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a driver attention monitor, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, and an extensive suite of radar and camera-based ADAS features. Additionally, BYD’s blade-cell LFP battery pack, integrated into the chassis, enhances safety and rigidity.

How many color options are there?

The Seal is currently on sale with four colors: Arctic Blue, Atlantis Gray, Cosmos Black, and Aurora White.

Should you buy the BYD Seal?

The Seal's pricing aligns with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which offers better practicality but benefits from local assembly tax advantages, unlike the CBU-imported Seal which incurs full duty. 

Regardless of perceptions about Chinese products, BYD has delivered an impressive product-to-price ratio, particularly in this segment. The Seal stands out with its tech-rich, high-quality offering, appealing both to drivers and rear passengers. It is positioned uniquely in the market and has the potential to make a significant impact, which BYD should capitalize on.

What are my alternatives?

The BYD Seal competes with the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6.