Chinese automaker BYD, renowned for its “Build Your Dreams” philosophy, is making its mark in the European electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of the Seal, a direct contender to the Tesla Model 3. Both EVs, manufactured in China, debunk any notion that vehicles from this region lack the quality seen in Western-built counterparts, as demonstrated by Tesla’s success in surpassing its American facilities’ standards with its Shanghai Gigafactory.
In a review by the Fully Charged Show, the BYD Seal showcases not only competitive build quality but also surpasses expectations in interior design, drawing parallels to luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz. The traditional layout includes a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a versatile central touchscreen that seamlessly switches between landscape and portrait orientations.
See also: BYD Seal Electric Sedan Earns Five Stars In C-NCAP Crash Test In China
Noteworthy is BYD’s emphasis on a more conventional interior, featuring a range of buttons for audio controls, climate settings, and steering column stalks—a departure from Tesla’s minimalist approach in its entry-level EV. The Seal boasts a standard energy-efficient heat pump and an extensive feature set, encompassing a panoramic roof, electric tailgate, split-folding rear seats, 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and various driving assistance systems.
See also: BYD Seal Specifications: Battery, Range and Price
BYD offers two trim levels for the Seal—Design and Excellence-AWD. The former, equipped with a rear-mounted 308 horsepower motor, while the latter adds a front motor for an all-wheel-drive system producing 529 horsepower, along with a head-up display. Both versions are powered by BYD’s Blade battery, utilizing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and integrated into the car’s structure. The battery provides an 82.5-kilowatt-hour capacity, offering a WLTP combined driving range of 354 miles (rear-wheel drive) and up to 323 miles (AWD).
In terms of pricing, the BYD Seal competes closely with the Tesla Model 3 in Germany. The rear-wheel-drive Seal starts at €44,913, and the AWD version is priced at €50,990. In comparison, a Tesla Model 3 RWD is priced at €42,990, while the dual-motor Long Range variant starts at €51,990. The competitive landscape sets the stage for an intriguing market dynamic as BYD enters the European EV scene.
