BYD Seal AWD Review | Comprehensive & Honest Car Review 

✅ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗼 : leaselo.co/notaguru-byd-seal

I’ve owned the AWD Seal for 5 months now and I love the car. The driver’s and main display look much better in dark mode. There is also a “basic” drivers display with less graphics. There are 2 levels to the under floor storage. Here in Thailand the safety bongs can be switched off once and stay off. BYDs are expensive in Europe compared to Australia and SEA. I think because the EU keeps accusing Chinese manufacturers of dumping (you wanted them to be more expensive - ok then) Teslas don’t come with V2L, I have my Seal hooked up to my solar system to give over 6 Tesla Powerwalls of home backup power - videos on my channel for the doubters

As an ex 4+ year Model 3 owner driver, the loss of indicators was the last straw. Our RWD Seal is utterly gorgeous as a replacement. Americans haven't a clue about the BYD threat. I look forward to improvements actually being delivered........... right Elon ?.

Can’t wait to pick up my seal tomorrow!!

Excellent review and good to see your films steadily getting more and more polished as time goes on. Testament to you sticking at it, with a well deserved increase in subs.

Another nicely presented video Jim. I really like the BYD; I enjoyed my test drive of it during Everything Electric and it drove favourably when compared to the Model 3 I drove last year. Given a choice, I think I'd struggle to choose. I love the efficiency of the Tesla and the access to the Supercharger network, but I like the styling and greater feeling of solidity (possibly a consequence of the greater weight and structural rigidity). Given I've never been one to follow the crowd, I'll choose the Seal. Looking forward to your comparison video.

Great balanced review as always. I have no problem with a Chinese built car, I think the days of mass European built cars are disappearing.

Another great show. 😊

Jim, one of the best reviews of a car I have listened. Best wishes.

Very interesting, informative, thank you.

I have a Performance (Excellence) on order in Australia, Should arrive within the next couple of weeks. The price in Aus are much cheaper than in the UK since we don't have paranoia tax here. 36,000 pounds here.

I found your review refreshing after watching the rest. I share you opinion on the UI

Great review again Jim, nice one! I do love the look of this thing, and that interior looks great as well. It is a shame there are a few things letting it down but overall it does look like a very worthy contender. How ironic that with all the tech in and on such a car the good old DAB radio is such a let down 😬

Hi Jimbo great review but definitely better as a lease than a buy 👍

BYD would be more interesting if they could bring the price point closer to what it is in China. Obviously I understand it is not all their fault.

Nice exterior and interior design. Plan to get mine later this year :)

Well balanced review! Very realistic and i can relate. I am picking up the Seal performance Awd hopefully next week...cant wait...The factors that dictated the purchase.... 1: Body styling and finish 2: Interior is a step ahead imo 3: Rear seats are more comfortable with better leg room 4: Pricing 5:Availability Hard to pass up...

Nice review n funny a bit

👍👍👍. Thanks Jim

I was looking forward to this one mate. And I really like it! In my humble opinion, people can't get their head around the fact Chinese Brands will be soon taking over the usual suspects like Tesla, Polestar, BMW, etc.. think it's a future that not many people are ready to accept but just think about it for a moment: how many Chinese components modern cars have? From batteries to wires, from shared platform to chassis... and everything else you can think about a car have been made in a Chinese factory. Just let this sink in, nothing we can do about it

Superb review abd and I've watched many on the Seal and Model 3. I've narrowed my next car between Model 3 Long Range, BYD Seal (can't decide between Design or Excellence), and perhaps Porsche Taycan GTS second hand.

A very nice car talking about DAB radio mine in the Kona it is rubbish you get a couple of minutes then cuts out for 5 minutes. Great review.

I was literally laughing for a minute at your unusual choice of comparative storage unit. I think the double-take afterwards made it. Very well played. Another great vid. Fascinating car. I was wondering what impact the likes of these reasonably priced luxury EVs from China will have on the market. Can't help but feel it's a good time to be patient with the EV market as prices continue to show some notable downward momentum. Add in the next generation and I feel EVs could be even more affordable very soon.

I have watched a lot of reviews on this car and you're the first to mention the poor design of the rear USB flap. I had the same concern with kids. 😂

Great looking car!

As a current Tesla Model 3 owner I would like to point out a couple of things. LFP batteries (including those in Teslas) have a slower charge rate than NMC. It is a limitation of their chemistry. If you want long range and AWD in a Tesla, you have to accept a NMC battery. The Tesla Model 3 is 300kg lighter than the Seal. When compared with vehicles of the same weight class (ie 2.1 tons) the Seal’s efficiency is pretty competitive. The weight savings are evident in the feel of the car. There is a reason Tesla has specific instructions on how to close the bonnet so you don’t dent it. I have test driven the Seal RWD 82kWh and AWD 82kWh versions (called Premium and Performance here in NZ). The HUD is not the equivalent of “best in class”. That prize goes to vehicles from BMW, VW Group and Mercedes. It has adequate readouts for speed, modes and warnings but lacks any sort of navigation indication or traffic awareness. Both displays benefit from being put in “Dark Mode” and the driver’s display could also do with having a few more layout options (as you pointed out). Perhaps a map like the Polestar 2 has? The safety systems settings can be accessed from the quick menu (pull down from top of screen). Their annoyance factor (and the fact they reset every start) is the fault of the pointy headed bureaucrats at NCAP, not BYD. At least the Seal has Blind Spot Warning in the side mirrors. Like Tesla, there are no “option packs” which seem to plague European cars, where you have to option up the vehicle to get things that come as standard on the BYD or Tesla. It’s funny how UK reviewers think the indicators on the right and wipers on the left is the wrong way round. Most cars in NZ, Australia, India, Japan, Thailand, etc that aren’t from USA/Euro origin have that layout and in fact, UK built cars were that way for decades until they became Europe’s bitch. Also, with exception of UK and USA, most cars state efficiency per 100km, be that litres/100km or kWh/100km. But that is only software and should be easy to toggle. Incidentally, when I tested the Seal you drove in the review (the Performance) I got 15.0kWh/100km (4.1mi/kWh). My 2022 Model 3 RWD does 13kWh/100km. I dispute your comment about Tesla being accurate with their claimed range compared to WLTP. They are among the worst. Finally, were you trolling by driving past the Tesla service centre during your review (9:58) or was it just a coincidence? 😂

Would be great for me and thanks for the great video as ever BUT big screens and endless touch screen routes to do simple actions feels distracting and unsafe. Am I wrong?

Absolutely love it but beyond my price range. That said it is a luxury vehicle in my book.

It looks a decent car Jim but definitely one to lease. That motoised screen, I can see that being a headache to fix. Its like manufacturers dont care at all about long term owners who will support them via spares and service outside the warranty if treated fairly. But most manufacturers are this way now so BYD isn't unique.

For me, I don't like the way Tesla have so much tech integrated, and it's so minimalist. I want a proper speedo in front of me (not down to the left on a screen), I want a gear-shift (not on a touch screen)... I want indicator stalks. I want a few physical easy-reach single function buttons, not have to got thru a screen (which is unsafe when driving).

down here in NZ, the 4WD one is selling at just NZ$83990,around 40K GPB.

Exterior styling is better than the tesla but interior on either is awful . If i wanted an Ipad stuck to my dashboard I'd just buy an old beemer and do that. Still, trying to press 20 icons to change the heating whilst driving is progress right?

How is the charging network for longer trips for non tesla cars?

I predict the residule values in 3 years will be absolutely stellar.

I would choose the BYD Seal over a Tesla in a heart beat! However the only concern is the lack of support/maintenance infrastructure eg servicing, repairs and replacement parts etc.

Definitely recommend checking out Nio. Much nicer interior than Tesla, battery swap, and LIDAR. They've even got a shortcut on the homescreen to turn off speed alerts (no excuse for BYD and others to not have this. You might have to go to the Netherlands to test one though; not sure about their plans to have a right side drive, but they're all over Germany and the Nordics.

Dont worry about the trafficators. What I dislike about Teslas is when pulling out from the curb and you indicate right the car goes into reverse.

Looks beautiful,a touch of the EV6 about it,but not for me,same reason I will not buy a Tesla,hate the touch screen.

FYI reviewer in Australia saw 310 miles real world road trip range in rwd version.

We test drove this one about 2 months ago. VERY comfy and drove very well. Too many 'bings' & 'bongs' for my liking. BUT... the regen braking (although set to max) was near non existent. And switching between 'modes' wasn't instant like on most cars. I switched to Sport mode when pulling away from a junction, and you could count to 3 or 4 before it decided to 'engage' and only then did the hyper drive engage and Whoooooshhhh off it flewww..!!! We thought it was 'nice' but at least £10k overpriced.

FYI you can already change the driver display and remove that constantly changing icon you said distracted you.

You can charge it up to 100% it's not going to massively degrade the battery.

ahh a uk review ..nice

About your USB port complaint: Just plug in a short (6 to 8 inches) USB cable that is always plugged in.

There are more than 1 graphical layout to choose from on the instrument display.

I have a performance on order, but delivery has been delayed until at least july. I have to be honest, if the tesla model 3 in my country were priced similarly as the seal, I would definitely get that. But no, the tesla m3 here is double the price of the seal performance, and it’s the standard range version too. Also, there’s no tesla supercharger network here. So I think it’s a no brainer for people who want a high performance EV. The alternatives are the hyundai ioniq 6, which is 75% more expensive, or the kia ev6, which is twice the price. And both are slower than the seal.

👏

We will not see these in USA for a long time, we will have to look to Britain and Australia for guidance.

Who is going to service a BYD car and are there sufficient dealers with service departments to support the sales.

awesome car, thanks for the video! not sure what is worse to support though - Elon or Chinese world domination 🙂. the basic version would be fine for me (but I think the HUD only comes with the high end). If prices go down a bit or if I find a good used one, that would be my choice. cheers from GER

👍

I understand the seats are genuine leather for all but the base model.

One thing it looks far nicer than the Tesla it doesn’t look like a kit car

I think byd only outsold Tesla in Q4 2023 when people were waiting for the new m3.they sell more phev than bev worldwide. But I still wouldn't buy a Chinese owned branded car

Looks like a very well specced car. Unfortunately it wouldn’t tempt me away from Kia / Hyundai. Too many concerns about warranty, servicing, parts etc

This is a great looking car, but does it only come as a saloon? That body shape should really be a hatchback. The Tesla model 3 misses out only being a saloon, but this is what they like in the US & China.

I think the main problem is you're buying an unknown brand (in the UK) that is a little worse in most ways than a Tesla model 3 for nearly the same price. Needs to be cheaper. Maybe 5 to 10k below the rest or 100 a month less. Otherwise the only reasons for choosing it is to be different or because you like indicator stalks and can't live without them. In which case this or a used Tesla model 3. I'd still go Tesla with that supercharger network. BYD needs a USP I feel.

£220 for the top version on a salary sacrifice scheme. Fully loaded Polestar or I4 at least £200 dearer

If I had the money, I'd buy the model 3... greater efficiency means cheaper running costs 🙂

I've decided I don't want a car with a huge stuck on screen in the centre (what did you start Elon?). Distracting and I think they ruin the look of the interior. I prefer the 7" screen in my ten year old SLK. It has all the information I require on it. I would however love a good head up display.

I like the car but I wouldn't consider one for one simple reason. BYD are treating us as cash machines, the dynamic version of this car costs £26k in Australia, so why are we paying so much more?

Drove one and thought its way over priced for a Chinese car! My Ipace is nearly double the list price and same on lease.

It’s just too expensive, even if I was interested in an EV, but I’m not. ICE for me😊. Also, hate all this touch screen control panel. What’s wrong with buttons.

An indicator stalk on the wrong side for a Brit......?!!. Don't worry...... it's regarded by us aussies as being on the correct side......poms definitely are strange. The bongs are so subtle now it's not a problem anymore. It's got stuff that works including blind spot WARNING.......how about that Elon !.

So its ok to fiddle with an i pad whilst driving now? Why is texting illegal then? Surely your taking your attention off the road in the same way

5th

At least i won't be seeing as many bloody white tesla's on the road. I don't even own one and I'm already sick of looking at them. Plus I have no time for Musk.

Was that a mistake 3.2kw per mile??? @ domestic rates 29p per kw thats £1 per mile ! Thats 7 times more expensive than an ICE doing 10 miles per litre and god knows how much more at a charging station. 16:47

50k, what does this cost in China? I'm guessing we're being ripped off.

too expensive needs to be at least 10ķ less as the price in China is so much lower.

They keep carrying on about the weight of the seal. We looked it up and my husbands Toyota Camry weighs 2 tonnes….hahaha calm down everyone

Honest car? Have cars now got a personality ?

No FSD stick with Tesla

I wish BYD all the best, but I can't see myself buying a Chinese brand when a Tesla can be purchased for similar money. Plus I know that insurance companies do not really like a car brand that doesn't have a great network for replacement parts.

Chinese ev cars will dominate the market all around the world

No thank you to this BYD. I would by a Tesla over and above this BYD car.

It's not the cars that people don't like, it's more likely to be Musk. His far-right views are disgraceful.

hate Tesla like i hate Apple! minimalism doesnt have to equal white plain and boring! Both made in China using the same elements other competitors are using!

9:22 WTF SMALL CHILD UNDER THERE

China is the best.

Miles? Seriously. Only three countries use miles. Km have been used elsewhere for over 100 years.

Way overpriced

Just another cheap China copy of a Tesla right down to the door handles!

Tesla is so bland in comparison to

That screen is so clownish and cheap looking. Made in China no damn way.

😂There is too much reliable evidence that BYD E.V.s are prone to bursting into flames and their Airbags are failing to inflate on collision.We are a good few years away from full developement of the Genre. The car looks attractive enough on the outside and the interior looks alright apart from the awful looking Television screen.I think this is a design aspect that a number of E.V.s have adopted that is unnecessary and a distraction to good driving practice.

45k for a Chinese crap, madness 😮

My BR ( bladder range) can be shocking....94.2 miles/ litre.......😅

I believe BYD may only supply the battery for a proportion of Ipads and nothing more