BYD Seal Review | The Next EV Disruptor?

Today on Buckle Up, Rob and Jasper take a spin in the new BYD Seal, a traditional saloon from a non-traditional marque. BYD are the world's biggest producers of battery cells, so it makes sense for them to start putting them in their own cars, and here is one with over 500 horsepower and a 3.8 second 0 - 60, racy stuff.
Up against rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, BMW i4 and VW ID.7 how does this Chinese entry hold up?
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#BuckleUp #BYD #BYDSeal ---------------------------------
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[@H0LT-85]

If I was forced into an EV, the Seal would be my choice. Nice looking car, inside and out.

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s very impressive indeed

[@DaleSteel]

Why. You could buy a used taycan

[@honesty_-no9he]

Don't be forced...embrace it with joy!

[@Clove_Parma]

not with this money...@@DaleSteel

[@edmundhayes1840]

Great review! I'm really liking this more than a Tesla at the moment. Thinking of going electric and this is top of the list

[@BuckleUpShow]

It really surprised us!

[@Michael-Ray]

Love how the BYD Seal is modelled off the shape of the seal animal - the lights for the air intake at the front look like gills, and there are bits on the side that look like fins.

[@BuckleUpShow]

It certainly makes for a great looking machine

[@selli133]

i dont know why everyone thinks they look like gills. a seal doesnt have gills either. to me they look like whiskers. which a seal actualy has

[@BuckleUpShow]

Indeed, we would agree they look a little like whiskers!

[@danielkierannevin9081]

Great review guys! Im biased (deposit down for a BYD performance for Jan) but loved the way you concentrated on the car itself, whereas most review seem obsessed with comparisons between it and Tesla. As my first EV, I see it as a pretty seemless transition from my 12+ years of driving BMWs (3, 4 and 5). Just one point- Ive heard the ASAS can be hypersensitive/intrusive, but hoping an OTA update will sort this out for UK/Irish road types.

[@BuckleUpShow]

When we drove it last week, it didn’t beep or bong once and that was in the North Yorkshire Dales where the roads aren’t exactly sweeping freeways

[@kimarefall]

I have a BYD Atto 3 here in Sweden, and I really like it 🙂 after my lease I really want the Seal, depending on the price, cause it looks so good and really seems to be driving very well also 👍

[@BuckleUpShow]

Logical next step. Thanks for watching!

[@kimarefall]

@@BuckleUpShow And thank you for a well done channel and video.

[@user-tg9yo2vo6u]

Just so you know for every imported car sold in sweden, there are fellow swedish who are losing their jobs

[@ensteffo]

@@user-tg9yo2vo6u Bet your bigot ass is not spewing your garbage on videos about German, French, USA, Japanese, Korean cars etc.

[@helenbarton4910]

In Australia, we have 3 versions of the Seal, the Dynamic (A$49,888) the Premium (A$58,798), and the Performance (A$68,748). The Dynamic has a 61kWh battery, and the Premium and Performance have an 82.5 kWh battery, with the Premium having a WLTP range of 570Km, 50Km more than the dual motor Performance. The Premium also comes with the HUD like the Performance.

[@ianpolo5673]

Between Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal, I will go for BYD Seal because it has better styling, much more stylish, better interior quality material and design than Ioniq 6. Tesla? Forget about it, even if both Ioniq 6 and Model 3 are same pricing with Seal. If the Seal has a wagon version, that will be really perfect

[@BuckleUpShow]

Rob’s a big fan of the Ioniq cars but this really impressed him. An estate version would be amazing!

[@michaeljohnson-li5nn]

The BYD looks to be a great car, and if the pricing is competitive against the Tesla model 3 then it should sell really well. I particularly like it finished in black as this certainly emphasises the cars good looks. Not sure if you mentioned in your review regarding the warranty with the car, particularly the battery. Glad that you mentioned the car has a heat pump as standard to pre-condition the battery prior to charging.

[@BuckleUpShow]

6 year basic warranty with 8 years on the battery and motor

[@ciybersal3499]

Seal is absolutely stunning, love it!

[@BuckleUpShow]

It sure looks good!

[@boblarge9137]

Fortunate in Australia the equivalent is the Performance model and is priced at approximately £37,000.I assume your taxes are higher.I’m enjoying mine down under.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad to hear you're enjoying your BYD. We in the UK possibly have a less favourable trade deal than you guys have down under!

[@DBSYT]

Great review, lads. Best, most watchable review I’ve seen on this car. Congrats!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

I agree

[@Its-me..]

Waiting on the AWD (due March), can't wait

[@BuckleUpShow]

You won’t be disappointed

[@xaviart4727]

Getting my Excellence 7.february. :)

[@Paul-ow9dd]

I must stop watching KZbin reviews. I've simply watched too many on the BYD Seal.🙂But thanks for yours. I have the Premium RWD on order here in AUS with the 230kw motor. Apparently, it has arrived at the dealership, but I'm not completing the purchase until I can compare it and the AWD variant. It's similar to the Performance (Excellence) without AWD and the fancy suspension and of course 390kw of combined power It does include the HUD and genuine leather seats. No heated steering wheel as well. Not an issue here - even in cooler Tasmania. I want to test both variants before committing to purchase. I really don't need the extra power (who REALLY does?) but I do like the extra safety of AWD for "normal" driving. AUD10k difference in price is a consideration as well. Hopefully I can convince myself to go with the RWD, but if the AWD is noticeably better in normal driving, I'll get it. I've driven the Tesla M3 Highland and really liked it, just not a fan of the minimalist design. AND, can imagine I would be annoyed with having to use the screen to open the damn glovebox and having a passenger unable to easily open it. Plus, the car has to be powered up to open the glovebox. How silly is that?

[@BuckleUpShow]

Tesla seem to be pushing the ‘what else can we get rid of’ too far

[@gclife0]

I always use voice control

[@CThienV]

​@@BuckleUpShowbrake pedal will be next because "OPD"

[@deserialized]

You get the Heads Up Display as well with the Excellence. Also, important to mention is that all variants support Android Auto and Apple Carplay. AA wireless was really great on that big screen.

[@BuckleUpShow]

We do mention the HUD in the Excellence a couple of times in the video ☺️ On the AA/Carplay front we probably should have mentioned it more clearly, but it's a bit of a given in a car like this (modern and with a focus on a good GUI and tech) that you will get both. 😅

[@adorolivar1340]

Good job guys...my dogname is Jasper, a sweet pomeranian😂😂

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’m sure he’s better behaved than our Jasper too!

[@ateiviz]

Great review lads, I have one coming to replace my ICE saloon, can't wait. Only thing I'm not clear on is whether the interior is leather or vinyl. BYD seems to have said that's it's vinyl in the brochures but I've seen feedback that people are getting real leather, which I'd prefer.

[@BuckleUpShow]

They told us it’s leather and it felt pretty good to us

[@Clove_Parma]

they initially promised "vegan leather" in Europe but ended up delivering genuine leather. If you're unsure, you can tell by feeling it. The base model in Australia gets the vinyl, which feels much grippier than the real leather seats

[@markdillon9588]

I was at a show room in Ireland and they said EU is vegan leather and is the case here they said

[@ateiviz]

@@markdillon9588 I saw a post that a dealer in Cork said they were leather 😂

[@markdillon9588]

@@ateiviz ah jeez no one knows it seems 😅 the brochure and website say vegan though. Annoying as no need for real leather nowadays

[@qilu2004]

i wish byd were available in the states...

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’m sure it won’t be long

[@agusedyanto3324]

BYD will arrive in the US and Canada once its factory in Mexico is completed

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video guys, nice duo commentary

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thank you 🙏

[@TheGmr140]

Awesome guys 😊

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks 🤗

[@RandomStuff-hj1zo]

Great review. The internet is full of BYD performance review. But there’s a lot of us wondering what the premium is like in comparison to the performance. Can you do a review of the premium please ?

[@BuckleUpShow]

There’s only two versions in the UK, the design or excellence. Is the premium the equivalent of the design where you are? We can certainly ask for a loan if it is.

[@RandomStuff-hj1zo]

@@BuckleUpShow yes. I think the design and premium have the same specs. Looking forward to the review .

[@jspanga]

@13:10 you missed that the cup holders actually lower so you can insert longer bottles

[@BuckleUpShow]

How exciting!

[@xaviart4727]

Well done guys. :)

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching!

[@sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu6298]

I knew who would be driving: the top of course. The bottom partner however did make a lot of sensible comments and is very knowledgeable. You're such a cute couple and this was a lovely and informative review. I'd go for the mid spec Seal but the UK doesn't have the mid spec like Australia and New Zealand and with only 3k difference in price I'd choose the top of the range. The Seal truly is an exceptional car. My dream car. Thanks again for the review.

[@BuckleUpShow]

That’s all very touching and we’re sure you meant it in a nice way, but unfortunately for you, Rob and Jasper are very much not a couple. And anyway, if they were gay, we all know the true top in this scenario is Harry.

[@sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu6298]

@@BuckleUpShow haha, appreciate the response. haven't met Harry yet as he didn't appear in the video. So there's more than just Jasper and Rob. I'll subscribe to meet them all. Interesting presenting style. Oh, and of course I meant it in a nice way ☺️. Keep it up. Thank you!

[@neilglynn841]

Around 82kW battery in this model so how many high power chargers are there in the UK, how long would it take to charge at home ? Do you need three phase ?

[@BuckleUpShow]

1) No idea, it goes up nearly every day 2) 28 hours from a 3-pin plug 3) No, can charge from a plug to 350kw

[@ariapravo7117]

Take the market by storm ! ✌👌

[@BuckleUpShow]

Let’s see

[@billywakwabi4758]

Great review. 👍

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching!

[@bobhowell114]

You had no comment about the alarms, reminders etc about lane keeping, speed limit compliance or even the turn indicator sounds and volume especially in city driving . What settings did you have in ADAS to achieve your degree of satisfaction with the car and its apparently (from other reviews) annoying warning sounds? Very worthwhile review however!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Because it’s had an over the air update since most journos drove to calibrate it to UK roads. It didn’t put a foot wrong once. Nearly every new car is a beep and bong fest, this one was surprisingly calm.

[@jingle1161]

Those outside shots are pretty awesome. Quite some work I suppose 👍

[@BuckleUpShow]

Unfortunately we can't take credit for those ones - BYD provided us with some footage they'd taken when the car was launched in the UK 😅😅

[@jingle1161]

@@BuckleUpShow Well. I enjoyed watching your review anyway. Good work! Btw, did you guys notice the BYD Song? Looks like another homerun IF it's introduced in Europe.

[@jerryfish09]

Why no one test the white color and interior? I am eager to see the white color version.

[@BuckleUpShow]

We test what we’re given 😅

[@randomname931]

I think a lot of people sick of tesla's, their "spartan" (to put it nicely) interiors, poor built quality would find the Seal a wonderful alternative.

[@BuckleUpShow]

We think the same!

[@davidpearn5925]

I have had Model 3s for the last 4 years and now looking at the RWD Premium Seal ……..and the only aspect I worry about is the reported LKA being somewhat dangerous in tugging the wheel sometimes dangerously.

[@danielkierannevin9081]

Agreed. I found this annoying on test drive. Have been assured that an OTA update will tailor the degree of intervention for the UK/Irish markets. Also, disabling driver assistance options with be stored to memory under a specific driver profile. Some teething problems, but nothing that can't be sorted with software tweaks.

[@davidpearn5925]

@@danielkierannevin9081 oh yes please - tailoring via profile would be a BIG PLUS………BYD are you listening ?.

[@BuckleUpShow]

When we drove it last week, it didn’t beep or bong once and that was in the North Yorkshire Dales where the roads aren’t exactly sweeping freeways

[@davidpearn5925]

@@BuckleUpShow I suspect that we are regarded as being ‘other than Europe’ and are still lumbered with the SE Asia package. Hopefully it gets to us in Oceania real soon.

[@zobenny8290]

nice car 👍 👍 👍

[@BuckleUpShow]

We agree!

[@CThienV]

It needs a sport+ mode with instant throttle mapping

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s surprisingly good without one

[@CThienV]

The OP has the best comments and replies

[@BuckleUpShow]

Is that good?

[@CThienV]

@@BuckleUpShow yes. very entertaining to read.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad to be of service 🫡

[@ag_a3346]

Nice review!!! However, one of the most importent information was missed as it would have been nice to hear what the battery usage was when leaving and arriving to your destination in the real world.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I think a lot of stuff was cut for time, we do go on a bit! We’ll make sure to mention that next time.

[@edwardlaw797]

The performance version does 0-100 at 3.8x sec? That's why we just added 100% tariff on Chinese cars in US. :) Now I know...

[@BuckleUpShow]

The performance version is absolutely brilliant. The amount of performance and tech you get for the price is astounding.

[@oliverstemp9132]

It’s all very nice

[@BuckleUpShow]

A lovely, lovely sweet sweet car

[@jazzyt77]

Is this the Atlantis grey?

[@Chattannooga]

Looks like it

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yes

[@vangpham2514]

as with every cars are named alpha numeric, having it named after a theme or animals is brilliant, why insimuate as weird and frown upon?

[@BuckleUpShow]

I think you’ve misunderstood our comments

[@markdillon9588]

Was the lack of a rear wiper annoying with the rain ? Also does the bud show directions from android auto/carplay? The seats are supposed to be vegan leather?

[@BuckleUpShow]

The lack of rear wiper was fine due to the really smooth airflow over the car. Unfortunately the HUD does not have direction integration from AA/CarPlay, but I'm not aware of any HUD system that does have that functionality? The seats are genuine leather, as far as we are aware.

[@markdillon9588]

@@BuckleUpShow cheers guys, I'm nearly sure the turns come up on some when using Google maps, but not sure. It's annoying they're not vegan as the brochure and website say they are, hard to figure this out 😅

[@Iddqd_84]

I can tell you from my own experience, that this is not an issue at all - Worst case you can give it some coating and rain will just peel off. I love my Seal 👌

[@BuckleUpShow]

Ah, if the brochure and website for BYD say they are, I'd be trusting that! Imitation Leather is getting very good nowadays, so it's hard to tell sometimes!

[@markdillon9588]

@@BuckleUpShow very true ha 🙏🏻 hopefully it is no need to kill cows anymore 🙏🏻

[@hexlock]

It looks dark blue but then light blue/grey when you're driving it along the roads. Don't like thr lighter colours...

[@BuckleUpShow]

Then good news, it’s also available in black.

[@hexlock]

@BuckleUpShow I'm surprised it can look so different. Did you get this too?

[@BuckleUpShow]

@hexlock a lot of these metallic paints need strong light for the colour to really pop 😅

[@birdyashiro1226]

年轻人的成见比年长的少😊

[@BuckleUpShow]

Indeed

[@nickvanoost499]

12:30 : wrong. You don't have a shortcut for the climate controls from android auto/ apple carplay. There isn't even a shortcut to get out of carplay at all, which frustrates me

[@BuckleUpShow]

That might be an over the air update as our test car did. Also, just ask the car to change the temperature. Worked every time we used it.

[@frankandrews4470]

​@@BuckleUpShow 100% correct. This was done with the latest OTA update.

[@nickvanoost499]

@@BuckleUpShow very glad to hear then! It's one of the things I currently don't like

[@xaviart4727]

U can use climate controls with steering wheel...

[@nickvanoost499]

@@xaviart4727 also turn on/off seat heating? It's the only thing I adjust while driving really

[@KiwiMC99]

Hard to listen to a guy in New Balance with massive white laces.....

[@BuckleUpShow]

A crushing criticism from one so fashionable

[@leelexus5515]

My dream EV car , going to own one next month, a like from Singapore

[@BuckleUpShow]

We can see why! Hope you enjoy your purchase when it arrives ☺️

[@leelexus5515]

Definitely 😊​@@BuckleUpShow

[@DaleSteel]

Please put time stamps on so i can cut out the BS. I just wanted to know the range

[@BuckleUpShow]

Have you heard of Google

[@DaleSteel]

@@BuckleUpShow I wanted you to do the leg work.

[@pkerry12]

does it have sentry when parked mode? and 7 camera dashcam mode? does it have a 16v custom lithium battery that never needs replacing like a 12v car battery does? does it have FSD or good level 2 automomy? does the car stay in its lane when turning in level 2 autonomy? How much are the servicing costs? Does it charger at 250kw or more for dc charging? Does it run at 12kw max for AC charging? Does the app control everything like summon, and smart summon? can i controll the byd remotely or view all cameras in the car like a tesla? if the answer is no to all teh questions then thats why BYD are cheap and are no where near the level of a Tesla in tech, this is only a handful of thing I have mentioned.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Apart from the sentry and smart summon stuff, it has nearly everything else. But my real question is, how does Elon Musk’s bum hole taste? 👅

[@CThienV]

​@@BuckleUpShowhahaha gold!

[@baltvdb]

Hard to accept a Chinese car I actually want. Interior looks great, now, durability will be interesting.

[@BuckleUpShow]

6 year basic coverage warranty with 8 years on the drive unit and battery should hopefully quell any concerns

[@duyataksis5210]

The picture of China you have in your head is no longer valid.

[@jonpaxman]

There are BYD taxis and buses in China which have put in a heck of a lot of mileage. They seem to hold up ok

[@baltvdb]

Thats pretty persuasive, thanks@@jonpaxman

[@xaviart4727]

1.2 Mkm so far...@@jonpaxman

[@honesty_-no9he]

It is a sport-sedan a saloon is a bar in a Western.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I know this may be a shock, but there are other dictions outside of America

[@kerryjones1508]

@@BuckleUpShow Well said. They’ll be complaining that they put the steering wheel on the wrong side next.

[@matsteel2292]

Did like it to drive but felt cheap inside but I guess it is cheap well here in Australia it is for the three variants and that will attract a lot of people who maybe don't want to splash the extra on a Tesla.

[@frankandrews4470]

Not a case of not wanting to splash the extra cash, the Tesla interior is too bland and boring for me.

[@deserialized]

I do not think it is has less quality inside (and I have tested both). It is just that Tesla has a more minimalistic approach which makes it more clean. Has it disadvantages though.

[@BuckleUpShow]

We thought the interior very nice, and certainly uses better materials than the Tesla

[@kerryjones1508]

Nice and comfortable while you’re a sweaty mess worrying about where you are next able to charge it. Good review. Not sure who in their right mind would actually buy one with their own money though.

[@thepitbull123100]

2000 Aussie orders or so first couple of weeks should provide an indication. Mine was one of them. 70K car with Supercar performance and Merc like interior. I’m happy to take the punt.

[@BuckleUpShow]

They seem to have sold quite a few outside the UK

[@ateiviz]

If anything I'll be grinning from charging it for free at work and not having to dish out thousands every year for diesel.

[@kimwiencken2492]

BEFORE you decide - try BOTH the BYD Seal in an AWD version as well as a Tesla 3 Long Range Highland. I did so (Europe) last week. Even if the Seal comes with a lot of quality it still feels like a version 1 car and I will definitely recommend to wait for a version 2, for the following 4 reasons: 1) In the Tesla you get a much more firm and direct driving experience. You feel it especially while steering and while accelerating. 2) Car efficiency measured as kW to milage is lower in the Seal, probably because of the higher weight (´+ 300 kilo) and poor brake regen. 3) In the Seal the Software UI as well as the functionality feel like a generation or two older. Old school menues, different menues to control driving set-up, lot of scrolling up and down etc. Besides that parts of the SW didn't really work while I tested the car a week ago - especially the parts where assisted driving is involved. 4) DC charging is quite slower in the Seal (150 kW) than the Tesla (250 kW) which will leave you wating a lot at the charging stations. An overall conclusion is that the BYD Seal feels a bit like old school car compared to the Tesla.

[@BuckleUpShow]

And exactly which date did you sign up to your cult?

[@Stekopo]

See this comment spammed on every Seal review so i am just going to assume you have Tesla stocks trying to persuade people to inflate their value.

[@sr20trx]

​@BuckleUpShow strange respnse? Is there something in his comment that's not true?

[@sr20trx]

@@jonpaxman theres nothing in the comment to suggest its not? For example you've pulled him up on charging speed, when if you read his comment he's referring to the Tesla M3 LR which does have a 250kw Max charge speed the RWD M3 has 170kw and the AWD Seal 150kw. The steering is more direct in the Tesla at 2 turns lock to lock than the Seal, and the UI is also 100% more intuitive which I'm pretty sure any comparison test between the two would confirm. Efficiency is another win to the Tesla as the AWD Seal is 100kms down on Range vs the M3 LR using a battery 7kw hours bigger. Seems fairly legit. Wouldn't you agree @BuckleUpShow ?

[@sr20trx]

@@jonpaxman normally I would agree. But in this case nothing he says is untrue. And yes the M3 LR charges at 250kw as it runs the same battery as the M3P.

[@galihpa]

Do you actually need 2 people to review a car ? What a waste of breath and energy

[@BuckleUpShow]

Wait till you see our reviews with all three of us

[@andygreen4760]

like this comment

[@jimmyyang901]

@galihpa stop whining, Jealousy and hate blind your logic.

[@agusedyanto3324]

Two people and the atmosphere will feel "more lively" bro