BYD SEAL review: Proof you don't need a premium badge for a premium car

Join us as we take a closer look at the BYD SEAL, the electric saloon aiming to make premium motoring feel a little more achievable

The BYD SEAL arrived to disrupt the electric vehicle (EV) scene, and it's still making waves.

Rivalling one of the UK's original EV heavyweights, the Tesla Model 3, it's positioned as a premium-feeling car without the premium price tag.

With up to 354 miles of range (WLTP Comb) and plenty of tech thrown in, the SEAL makes a strong case for itself as an electric saloon worth taking seriously.

BYD paved the way for Chinese brands in the UK market, proving you can get the technology and premium feel without the price tag. But with more and more Chinese brands joining the scene, does the SEAL still hold up?

What we drove:

Model: BYD SEAL Excellence AWD

Body Style: Saloon

Power: Electric (530 PS / 390kW)

Battery: 82.5 kWh

Range: Up to 323 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds

Colour: Indigo Grey

Specifications correct at the time of publication

A saloon that turns heads for the right reasons

Just look at the BYD SEAL and it's clear this is a car that means business.

Handsome and sleek, this saloon boasts creased side lines and a neat deck lid, both adding to the visual interest. The Indigo Grey we drove looked stunning, and the SEAL sits low and long, giving it a more dynamic stance than rivals leaning into an SUV-style look.

It doesn't look like your typical budget EV. Genuine kerb appeal and a premium feel come as standard here.

But it still comes in under the expensive car supplement (ECS) threshold; now that's impressive.

A cabin that punches way above its price point

Step inside and the cabin feels genuinely premium. Think German-brand premium.

When we took the SEAL out for a spin we were in the middle of a heatwave, and the ventilated seats were an absolute dream.

Fear not if you're reading this in winter, though — heated seats and a heated steering wheel have you covered too.

The dashboard is dominated by a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen. We'll be honest, it feels a bit like a massive iPad, and there aren't many physical controls to speak of.

What physical controls it does have sit around the crystal gear selector: Hazard, volume knob, driving mode, and a couple of other driving controls.

Look up and the panoramic roof floods the cabin with light.

The SEAL has a 402 litre boot, although it's a squeezed space thanks to the car's low, sloping shape. There's also a frunk, which adds a further 53 litres.

Not the most impressive storage space, but this probably isn’t the car you’d typically go for if you need a big boot.

Effortless power

Put your foot down and the BYD SEAL is smooth and powerful.

The dual-motor AWD set-up delivers strong, confident acceleration, and the numbers back it up: 0-62mph comes in just 3.8 seconds, which is properly impressive for a car at this price point.

But the SEAL is a beast, and you can feel that weight when driving, particularly around corners.

It's refined and comfortable on the motorway, if not quite matching the effortlessness of some German rivals. Accelerator response can also feel a touch delayed off the mark, giving it an old-school turbo-lag character.

Regenerative braking felt quite harsh too — lifting off the pedal brings a noticeable jolt as it kicks in.

Solid range, sensible charging

With up to 323 miles of range (WLTP Comb), range anxiety is a thing of the past.

It's enough to cover daily driving for a good few days (even a full week or two), depending on your mileage.

DC rapid charging up to 150kW takes you from 10-80% in around 37 minutes. This lags a bit behind some competitors, but isn't bad at all.

The 11kW onboard AC charger takes around 8.6 hours for a full charge. Simply plug it in when you get home and wake up to a fully charged battery.

And a heat pump comes as standard, helping to preserve range in the colder months (AKA most months in Britain).

What's good, and what's not

What's good:

• Genuinely premium-feeling cabin, minus the premium badge price
• 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds
• Up to 323 miles of range (WLTP Comb)
• Heat pump as standard, helping preserve range in colder weather

What's not:

• Feels heavy, particularly around corners
• Regenerative braking feels harsh — noticeable jolt when lifting off the pedal
• Infotainment screen feels oversized, like a massive iPad
• Not many physical controls

What's the verdict?

Overall rating: 7/10

The BYD SEAL proves you don't need a premium badge (or price tag) to get a premium- feeling car.

Across the board, the SEAL impresses: The cabin, the performance, and the range all punch way above its price point.

But it's not without its quirks. The weight is noticeable, the regenerative braking is on the harsh side, and the boot space won't suit everyone.

For this price point though, it's hard to argue against it.

Top five reasons to consider the BYD SEAL

1. Genuinely premium-feeling cabin without the premium badge price
2. Properly quick — 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds
3. Up to 323 miles of range (WLTP Comb) — enough for days of driving between charges
4. Heat pump as standard, keeping range healthy through British winters
5. Handsome, head-turning looks that don't scream "budget EV"

Would we recommend leasing a BYD SEAL?

Yes — especially if you want that premium, arrived-somewhere feeling, without the price tag that usually comes with it.

BYD paved the way for Chinese brands in the UK, and the SEAL is proof of exactly how they did it.

It's quick, it's well equipped, and it looks the part, making aspiration feel a little more achievable rather than a stretch too far.

Yes, the weight is noticeable, and the regenerative braking takes some getting used to.

But if you're curious about making the switch to a newer badge without compromising on how premium your car feels, the SEAL makes a genuinely compelling case.