BYD Seal

Inside, the BYD Seal features a minimalist cabin that gives off a nice balance of comfort and sportiness. Its cabin has a respectable mix of soft-touch materials and hard plastics all around. 

Upfront, you have a high-tech dashboard with a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment display as its centerpiece. Its infotainment has wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, 4G connectivity, and a BYD Cloud Service among others. The Performance variant’s infotainment is linked to a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, which delivers high-quality acoustics around the vehicle. On the other hand, the Advanced variant gets the standard 10-speaker version. Meanwhile, drivers have access to a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster, a multicontrol leather steering wheel, and a hypermodern-looking gear lever, which offers a pilot-like shifting experience. Owners of the Performance variant also get a head-up display.

In terms of practicality and functionality, this sedan has plenty of room for five passengers and a respectable cargo space at the back. Its leather seats offer top-notch ergonomics for all passengers even on longer trips. However, the driver’s rear visibility is a bit limited because of the second row seats’ high headrests. But, on the plus side, the Performance variant’s driver and front passenger seats also come with ventilation and heating functions. This sedan also comes with dual 15W wireless chargers, a 12V power socket, four USB charging ports, and four bottle/cup holders. 

For a more aesthetic vibe overall, the Seal also features a wide panoramic glass roof with a shade insert. A downside of this wide panoramic glass, however, is that heat from the sun can still seep through the cabin. Hence, this might be a bit of an issue during the summertime.

From the outside, the BYD Seal features a clean, modern design that exudes a mix of elegance and sportiness. It has a confident-looking facade illuminated by sleek adaptive LED headlamps along with DRLs. Functional air passages and a black lower grille add more detail to its stylish front bumper.

Moreover, it has a smart, futuristic side profile accentuated by flush door handles with a built-in lighting system, as well as power-adjustable and folding mirrors with side turn lamps. The Performance variant gets dynamic-looking 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Advanced variant gets the 18-inch version. 

Its modern, sporty character carries over to its rear. It comes with a very appealing LED bar for its tail lamp, which kind of resembles the Dodge Charger. For better visibility at night, it also gets fog lamps and a high-mount brake lamp. The Performance variant also gets a power tailgate for a more premium feel overall. 

The BYD Seal measures 4,800 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height. This sedan has a 2,920 mm wheelbase and 120 mm unladen ground clearance.

Both variants of the BYD Seal come with a Double Wishbone suspension at the front and a Multi-Link at the rear. Thanks to this suspension setup, this sedan is very agile to maneuver when cruising through tight traffic and narrow parking slots. This suspension setup is very well-tuned for comfort, enabling it to absorb bumps and uneven concrete pavements effectively. 

However, since its suspension is tuned more for comfort than sportiness or performance, you might have to take extra precautions when hitting sharp turns or corners at higher speeds with this sedan. But, on the plus side, you and all your passengers can enjoy a very smooth and relaxing riding experience both in the city and on the highway.

The BYD Seal offers two powertrain options. First, the Performance variant runs on two motors: asynchronous at the front, while permanent magnet synchronous at the rear. Its front motor produces 217 PS of power and 310 Nm of torque, whereas its rear motor generates 312 PS and 360 Nm. This variant’s dual-motor setup is powered by an 82.6 kWh BYD Blade battery pack, which delivers an NEDC driving range of up to 580 km. The higher trim utilizes an all-wheel drivetrain.

On the other hand, the Advanced variant runs on a single rear permanent magnet synchronous motor that generates 203 PS of power and 310 Nm of torque. Its motor is powered by the 61.4 kWh version of the same battery, which delivers an NEDC driving range of up to 510 km. The base trim utilizes a rear-wheel drivetrain. Both battery packs have a DC fast charging time of 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. This sedan comes with three drive modes: Normal, Economy, and Sport.

Both variants are usable for your daily commute in the city and are also capable of overtaking slower vehicles on free-flowing highways. Both variants can also be reliable transportation for your out-of-town trips. However, if you are aiming for a more exhilarating experience, then the Performance variant is the better choice among the two–going from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds. Despite its lively electric powertrain, it remains very supple and quiet inside the cabin.

Safety is not an issue for the BYD Seal as it is equipped with the brand’s DiPilot (ADAS suite). This includes a 360-degree view camera with see-through mode, six sensors, a stop and go full-speed adaptive cruise control, predictive collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and changing assists, lane departure warning, and a blind spot detection among others.

In terms of braking, both variants come with front and rear ventilated discs. However, the Performance variant’s front brake is also drilled. Its braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, and traction control system. The Performance variant also has an intelligent torque adaption control.

The BYD Seal offers a sweet spot for discerning buyers who are looking for a luxury midsize sedan that effectively combines top-notch practicality and everyday usability with an exciting emission-free powertrain out on the open road.