Order books for the BYD Seal – the third electrical automobile to be launched by the Chinese language EV large in Australia – have been opened in late 2023, with first deliveries starting early this 12 months.
They’re already promoting properly. In Might alone simply over 1,000 items have been bought, capturing nearly 27 per cent of the sub-$60k medium passenger automobile bracket, ICE automobiles included. BYD is mostly seen as BYD’s problem to the Tesla Mannequin 3, however given it’s in the identical value bracket as Toyota’s largest promoting passenger automobile, it would transform a Camry killer as an alternative, or additionally.
When it comes to consolation, specification, driving vary and efficiency, the BYD Seal is a worthy competitor for the passenger sedan purchaser’s consideration. For individuals seeking to make the change from ICE to electrical, the Seal is unquestionably value placing on the high of the record of BEVs (battery electrical automobiles) to take a look at.
On value alone, the Dynamic variant is probably the decide of the bunch. For these wanting the longest vary for straightforward interstate journeys – the Premium would then be the selection. Nonetheless, for that further $10k you would need to really want that driving vary because the few further ‘goodies’ alone within the Premium wouldn’t be value shelling out the additional for.
As for the Efficiency model: Properly, it could not have fairly the efficiency figures of the Tesla 3 efficiency, nevertheless it isn’t far off. In case you are wanting a efficiency car, at round $69k on the highway for the BYD, versus $81k for the Tesla, I’d attempt each after which ask myself if the $12,000 distinction was higher in my pocket or Elon’s …
Fundamental Seal fast-facts:
The BYD Seal is the third Australian full battery EV (BEV) passenger automobile providing from Chinese language producer, BYD. Constructed on the identical devoted electrical automobile platform as its stablemate the Atto 3 SUV (e-platform 3.0), the Seal is the biggest attainable dimension to nonetheless match into the ‘medium passenger sedan’ class.
Like all BYD automobiles, the Seal can solely be bought on-line (as do Polestar and Tesla). Additionally, like Tesla and Polestar, BYD ‘expertise centres’ for viewing and test-drives are opening up in most state/territory capitals (See BYD web site for areas). Servicing and guarantee work is completed by means of BYD service centres in addition to the unbiased mycar community.
The Seal is available in three variants: Dynamic, Premium and Efficiency. The primary variations between the three are proven in desk 1 above.
Exterior
The model take a look at pushed right here was the Premium using on 19 inch wheels and 235/45 Continental tyres. BYD have taken benefit of the low profile sedan form to provide you with the very low coefficient of drag (Cd) determine of 0.219. This consists of electrically retractable door handles that match flush with the panel work when closed.
That quantity partly explains the excessive WLTP numbers for a automobile that’s round two tonnes in weight. With its smooth look and decrease non-SUV top of 1,460 mm, the Seal does by the best way look smaller than it truly is. At 4.8 metres lengthy, it’s round 100 mm longer than a Tesla Mannequin 3, 200 mm longer than a Polestar 2 and solely 55m shorter than a Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Exterior color selection is restricted to a easy set of muted colors – black, white, blue and mid-grey, plus a further light-grey choice for the efficiency model.
Apparently, the Seal has been the primary BEV for a while the place individuals stopped me on the street to ask questions/touch upon how they appreciated its appears to be like. It appears with the Seal, BYD have struck a chord in producing one of many nicer trying automobiles (BEV or in any other case) in latest instances.
Many of those individuals had additionally heard of its longer driving vary. It could seem that one thing approaching 600 km is what the shopping for public understand as equal to an ICE car.
(As an apart: that is although most individuals do manner lower than this of their day-to-day lives. For example the common Melbourne commute is round 30 km a day – which means many individuals need to purchase automobiles with larger batteries than they may ever want).
Underneath the bonnet
The three variations differ significantly of their energy, torque and nil to 100 km/h instances. The efficiency model specifically gives an nearly rocket-ship time of three.8 seconds: though neither the Premium nor Dynamic variations might be known as slouches off the road.
One does should surprise although simply how a lot of that is for bragging rights and/or comparisons with rivals moderately than usefulness. I attempted the Premium in Sport mode as soon as for a take a look at take-off from the visitors lights … and it fairly frankly scared me!
Fortunately, each the Premium and Efficiency variations include ventilated AND drilled brake discs within the entrance, so they need to be capable of deal with the warmth should you choose to extra closely use the brakes as an alternative of letting the regenerative braking do the work.
On the subject of regenerative braking (‘regen’) – even in within the larger of the 2 settings it wasn’t all that highly effective as in comparison with another BEVs. The truth is the upper regen setting nonetheless solely felt like barely heavier ICE engine braking.
Thoughts-you, that is doubtless a design selection by BYD. The regen settings within the Seal would assist first-time BEV patrons really feel extra at residence of their private transition from ICE to BEV.
Battery, vary and charging
Two battery choices can be found: 61.5 kWh (usable) within the Dynamic and 82.5kWh (usable) within the Premium and Efficiency. As proven in Desk 1, the WLTP vary is greatest for the Premium, while the Efficiency eats into the vary on account of its higher energy and all-wheel drive.
As for vary – as per ordinary, I discovered the round city the WLTP variety of 570 km to not be far off the mark – though it did appear to scale back barely quicker than anticipated on the freeway. Maybe search for round 470 to 500 km for freeway journey within the Seal relying on how a lot you utilize the local weather management. (Being a chilly week in Melbourne – I did use the heater for lots of the time although!).
Nonetheless – not like the vary estimators in most fashionable EVs, the Seal’s didn’t come throughout as completely reliable. After a visit to Lorne and again that was largely freeway journey with the heater on, you’ll anticipate a down-rated estimate based mostly on the earlier utilization … nevertheless it nonetheless provided 635 km because the potential vary from a 100% cost following that journey.
House owners will quickly come to grasp what their private ‘actual’ vary is – however I’d suggest new Seal homeowners be a bit of cautious of the vary estimator as they begin their possession journey.
Charging for the Seal is 110 kW DC for the 61.5 kW battery and 150 kW for the 82.5 kWh variations. Surprisingly, the AC cost fee is simply 7 kW single section with no three section charging obtainable. For the common residence, this might make no distinction. (Until you may have three section energy, which is uncommon).
Nonetheless, at some public chargers 7 as an alternative of 11 will imply slower charging than most different BEVs in the marketplace as we speak. Even the BYD Dolphin will cost at 11 kW when plugged into a 3 section succesful AC charger. Approximate charging instances for the Seal are proven in desk 3.
Car to load
The BYD Seal can ship roughly 2200W of 230V AC energy through an adaptor plugged into the AC cost port. BYD presently provide a V2L adaptor as a part of the deal.
Necessary observe: It is a Car to Load (V2L) system solely. In an effort to keep away from injury to the automobile or a 240V electrical system, homeowners should not try to make use of a V2L system to supply energy immediately into a house or off-grid electrical system. (An prolonged article on this subject is coming quickly).
Inside
The inside is properly put collectively and, like the outside, quietly conservative in look. Customary is a darkish gray/black all through. Whist the brochure lists a further two-tone gray/blue selection, the ordering web site doesn’t provide it as an choice.
While the interiors of the three look a lot the identical, there are delicate variations of their specs. For example, the Dynamic has imitation leather-based protecting the seats and steering wheel while the Premium and Efficiency have real leather-based.
One other instance is the place the motive force’s and passenger’s seats have electrical adjustment in all three variations, however solely the Premium and Efficiency have driver’s lumbar adjustment, a number of place reminiscences and an ‘straightforward entry/exit’ operate the place the seat slides again to its rearmost place when the automobile is turned off. Moreover, a heated steering wheel is simply obtainable within the Efficiency.
Equally, the motive force’s show, infotainment system and steering wheel capabilities are similar in all three variations, however solely the Premium and Efficiency include a HUD (Heads-Up-Show).
Seating, each entrance and rear are wonderful. The entrance pair are very snug and properly finding. Within the rear, the outer pair are properly dished and could be effective for a relaxed lengthy journey for 2 adults.
Alternatively, the center rear seat is probably greatest suited to quick journeys to drop three youngsters off to highschool or sport. Anybody scoring that place for an extended journey would really feel considerably short-changed in comparison with the outer two!
As for rear seat room: each leg room and head top are wonderful. Being a sedan, these a lot over 1.8 metres tall within the rear might want to slip ahead on the seat barely to offer them sufficient head clearance – however with the ample leg room on provide, that might be straightforward to do.
Once more, just like the Dolphin, the panoramic roof is a pleasant contact and makes the cabin really feel brighter and extra open. Not like the Dolphin although, it doesn’t have a retracted sunshade. As a substitute it’s extra closely tinted to scale back the warmth. How efficient that’s more likely to be within the Australian summer season, we should wait till late this 12 months to search out out.
Boot room is 400 litres with the seats up. With a 60/40 break up to fold the rear seats that may be expanded to offer what must be ample room for baggage and/or longer objects – though the seats don’t fold to offer a completely flat ground.
There may be additionally a compartment underneath the boot ground plus a 53 litre ‘froot’ (entrance boot) underneath the bonnet. The latter is properly sealed with a lid and would make a perfect house to retailer the odd charging lead and transportable charger.
One factor value remembering is the Seal is a sedan. As such it has a boot lid dimension opening. While that is regular for a sedan, it doesn’t provide the performance {that a} bigger opening hatch offers. If in search of a passenger automobile with a bigger rear opening – patrons would possibly properly be higher served by one thing just like the Polestar 2.
As per all BYD automobiles to date – the sprint structure is each easy and sensible. The motive force’s show is nonetheless bigger than the Dolphin’s (and extra akin to the Sealion 6 PHEV) and makes for simpler viewing of the principle knowledge.
The central 39.6 cm (15.6 inch) infotainment touchscreen additionally performs the BYD ‘social gathering trick’ of being able to rotating between panorama and portrait. When it comes to performance, the touchscreen reacts shortly and many of the menus are simply discovered. The truth is, the menus appeared higher sorted than the Dolphin’s.
Bodily buttons for working a number of of the key capabilities are situated in a horseshoe form across the drive selector. Steering wheel changes are the same old assortment of radio, cruise management and driver’s show display screen decisions.
Centre console storage is nice with a lidded bin underneath the armrest and house underneath the ‘flying bridge’ under the drive selector space which incorporates USB A and C retailers. There are additionally USB A and C retailers within the rear. Customary too is twin wi-fi telephone charging within the entrance.
There’s a totally functioned inbuilt navigation system and Bluetooth was straightforward to connect with my Android telephone with the speaker and microphone each performing properly for straightforward telephone dialog. For these with Apple telephones: while Apple carplay is supported, it’s accomplished solely by means of a hardwired USB connection.
Driving
The primary impression of the Seal is the silent, easy take-off and agency however not harsh experience. The second impression when testing the totally different drive modes is that Sport is unquestionably not wanted for suburban driving. As I famous within the ‘Underneath the bonnet’ part, why BEVs want hyper-car like efficiency figures baffles me.
Nonetheless, the suspension felt fairly as much as the problem of that form of acceleration – so for many who need a prepared performer on twisty Sunday afternoon drives, the Premium definitely gives that. The truth is, it and made me surprise why anybody would hassle paying the additional $10k for the AWD Efficiency model.
Particularly given the one suspension distinction within the Premium versus the AWD Efficiency are ‘frequency selective damping’ shock absorbers.
With all-round cameras and parking sensors that even embrace distance measurements proven on the display screen, parking and finding the Seal is straightforward in all conditions. The ADAS (Superior Driver Help Programs) have been typically not intrusive.
Once more although, the velocity signal recognition system was – like all of the take a look at automobiles I’ve pushed this 12 months – continuously mistaken. Fortunately, not like the Kona electrical, the ‘bings and bongs’ have been delicate, plus the waited just a few moments earlier than chiming in. This meant that the warnings solely acquired to the extent of visible reminders and the sounds usually cancelled themselves earlier than taking place.
Street noise at freeway speeds was very low and successfully solely tyre noise with no wind noise obvious. I discovered highway grip was wonderful on all surfaces – though there was no rain throughout my time with the automobile.
As this was a Premium model take a look at automobile, the tyres have been Continental model moderately than the decrease spec on the Dynamic – so I can’t give a report on what the tyre noise and grip could be within the Dynamic.
Security
The BYD Seal acquired a 5 star ANCAP ranking in October 2023. It comes with twin frontal, facet chest-protecting and facet head-protecting airbags as normal.
A centre airbag, which offers added safety to entrance seat occupants in facet influence crashes, can also be normal. It additionally comes with a big suite of Superior Driver Help System (ADAS) options.
These embrace autonomous emergency braking (car-to-car, susceptible highway person, junction & crossing, backover and head-on), lane assist system with lane maintain help (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW), emergency lane preserving (ELK), velocity help system (SAS) and a velocity signal recognition system.
Additionally normal are little one presence detection (CPD), driver fatigue monitoring (DFM), blind spot detection (BSD).
Pricing, Service and Guarantee
On the highway pricing in Victoria (successfully with none subsidies) is:
Dynamic $49,888
Premium: $58,798
Efficiency: $68,748
With the totally different subsidies and incentives making use of in every state – that pricing might enhance significantly relying on the place you reside. For example, in Queensland a $6000 rebate applies. That would cut back the value of the Dynamic there to only underneath $44k – plus discounted charges for registration and stamp responsibility.
Servicing relies on 12 month/20,000 km intervals. Pricing for the primary 8 years/160,000 km is as follows:
BYD present the next guarantee for the Seal:
Full car: 6 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first.
Traction Battery: minimal 70% SOH remaining after 8 years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.
Drive Unit: 8 years or 150,000km, whichever comes first.
Rivals:
The medium passenger sedan phase shouldn’t be as properly served with selection because the SUV one – nevertheless it does embrace two of Australia’s larger promoting fashions: the Tesla Mannequin 3 and the Toyota Camry. Different BEV choices to contemplate on this class could be the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and maybe the BMW i4.
Nonetheless – patrons of the Seal are most likely not the form of purchaser thinking about these extra premium fashions (significantly the i4). As a substitute, they’re extra the ‘early majority’ purchaser eager to make their first transfer to BEV and in search of one thing nearer in value to their previous ICE selection – the Toyota Camry.
Today, the Camry is obtainable as a hybrid solely and is priced round $43k to $57k on-the-road in Victoria. Meaning the Seal in Premium and Dynamic guises is competing nearly immediately on value – particularly the place state/territory BEV rebates and reductions apply.
When it comes to service pricing – the Camry and the BYD are related after 5 years with the Seal at $1384 and the Camry at $1,025. That service pricing by the best way is shocking and one thing of an indictment on the BYD service plan.
In any case, a BEV wants far much less service work and manner fewer consumables per service than an ICE car, so how BYD justify that pricing schedule is one thing a whole lot of BYD homeowners ask.
Specs:
Seating: 5
Boot volumes in litres (1 litre = 10 x 10 x 10 cm)
Boot underneath parcel shelf: 400
Rear seat folded: Not supplied
Froot (Entrance Boot): 50
Dimensions:
General size: 4,800 mm
General top: 1,460 mm
Floor clearance: 120 mm
General width (fringe of doorways): 1,875 mm
General width (fringe of mirrors): 2,150 mm
Battery:
Dynamic: 64 kWh (61.44 kWh usable)
Premium: 84 kWh (82.56 usable)
Efficiency: 84 kWh (82.56 usable)
Vitality consumption: (WLTP)
16.6 kWh/100 km (Premium)
18.2 kWh/100 km (Efficiency)
Kerb weight:
1,922 kg (Dynamic)
2,055 kg (Premium)
2,185 kg (Efficiency)
Charging:
AC: Single section solely, 7 kW max.
DC: 110/150 kW max (61.5 kWh/82.5 kWh).
Cost port location:
Proper-hand rear (In entrance of tail-light).
Drive configuration:
Towing:
Not rated for towing (At present underneath evaluation and compliance testing by BYD)
Efficiency:
Bryce Gaton is an professional on electrical automobiles and contributor for The Pushed and Renew Financial system. He has been working within the EV sector since 2008 and is presently working as EV electrical security coach/supervisor for the College of Melbourne. He additionally offers assist for the EV Transition to enterprise, authorities and the general public by means of his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.