Finally! This is a car that can compete with a Tesla Model 3 | 2024 BYD Seal Review

[@gregturner_awod]

BYD makes excellent EV’s and the Seal is well designed, comfortable, built well, and has decent range. It is truly a competitor for the Model 3, but having driven one I found the handling not quite as good as the Tesla I drive. I’d consider one on basis of internal design and if I was based in a large city. I live in a major regional city on the VIC/NSW border and the longer range and dual motor of the Tesla I own works well here, but a Vion roof shade against summer heat is an absolute essential. The Tesla heat pump and air-con are better than BYD offer. BYD doesn’t match Tesla’s regen braking. Tesla’s software beats BYD’s. Tesla’s Superchargers on main routes are also great. But the review says it like it is. This is a very well made EV worth considering, attractive in design, internally and externally. An excellent, well spoken and thorough review.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Greatly appreciate the feedback! Absolutely, my go to recommendation still is a Model 3. But I have many friends, family and viewers who ask what's the next best EV after a Tesla. And that's where BYD steps in.

[@wensiangfong]

Most importantly, the safety of tesla is much better than seal in software and hardware.

[@Mailme81]

Nice take but you will find the seal uses a better quality roof and keeps the sun out. Also, the Seal uses much better quality brake a that not only outperform the tesla, but result in the 3349kg heavier seal performance stop in a shorter distance which is an incredible feat of engineering.

[@shreyanshpatil6034]

Serious competitor.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Absolutely

[@moncimoov]

my unit is coming next week❤❤❤ same color

[@KB-wb3xh]

I have a model 3 but this is a beautiful car and I would def be tempted!

[@LeoCooper-n2k]

I got mine few months ago and it's one of the best car l ever had

[@tldrinfographics5769]

Tesla Model 3 Highland still is the benchmark

[@Mailme81]

Unfortunately it no longer is

[@jamesdawson3123]

Can't wait to pick up my Performance in White Less than 2 weeks to go😀

[@LiBingBong]

the inside is very luxurious with way more features

[@recursion.]

Interior looks awesome, Is it as quiet (interior sound deadening) as new tesla model 3?

[@ProductReviewCars]

Not as good, but very close

[@Audios81]

Disagree. Drove both the Model 3 (facelift) and Seal several times back beginning of the year and the Seal overall was quieter according to our sound meter and by our own hearing. Less noise and overall better build quality.

[@Buttercookiesssss]

I was just considering between Seal Dynamic and Model 3 110 and decided on the latter 😅 i STILL like Seal it's SO HARD to choose

[@RodneyW]

An interesting and thorough review. Thank you. With a $62k driveway price for the model in this review, it's not "cheap"... it's on par with the Tesla Model 3 (or slightly more expensive) following recent price cuts. The "good value" ($9k less) "Dynamic" Seal has a 25% smaller battery, a maximum charging speed of 110kW, 80kW/50Nm lower power deployment and fake leather. Unfortunately all Seal's get that massive glass roof. On a properly hot day... that would be unbearable. Another reviewer has also commented on the fact that the BYD Seal Warranty has quite a lot of limitations, with some key components only getting 3 years of cover, and the suspension only getting 4 years.

[@jamesjarman5003]

I've got the dynamic. You should also compare the add on prices for the tesla- delivery fees, fees for paint and to unlock some of the features- a lot of these are either cheaper or standard in the seal. Unlike tesla the roof is zinc coated- it really doesn't conduct heat at all despite what this guy says. You can also just use the app to turn the aircon on before you get in so it's cool, and it has ventilated seats to cool you down. Its plenty fast- way faster than any ICE car i've driven (remember it's also lighter than premium) and still gets a 460km WLTP range. I charge at home so the charging speed doesn't bother me. He didn't mention the safety rating on it being awesome (better than tesla) or that BYD is literally a massive battery company so their battery tech is top notch- the LFP battery doesn't catch fire or degrade (Tesla uses BYD batteries is some parts of the world). The leather is literally identical to the premium (was looking inside my friends premium and had to ask him if it was dynamic or premium - even owning it i couldn't tell the difference from seats). I'm 47 and It's the best car i've ever owned.

[@RodneyW]

@@jamesjarman5003 Thanks James. I'm very glad you're happy with your car. I'm looking forward to driving a Seal next week. Until then, my opinions are based on reviews, my experience in a Polestar with a similar roof and the spec sheet (which is where I got the details above). I think you'll find the LFP batteries do degrade, just much more slowly than NMC. They also _can_ catch fire, again, much less frequently than NMC (most likely with damage), and with a big benefit of not releasing oxygen when they burn (which makes them easier to put out). What do you think of BYD's warranty limitations? There's been a lot of commentary on that!

[@jamesjarman5003]

@@RodneyW it’s not for everyone. But the drivers screen and indicator stalks were a big plus for my first EV. Only time will tell re warranty’s but it feels well built and all the important/ expensive stuff has long warranty. Correct it can theoretically catch fire/ degrade but check out the nail test video on BYD blade - I feel that’s safer than driving around with a tank of flammable liquid designed to explode. I feel like it’s a car to drive and use rather than to dissect numbers that don’t make much difference for how most people drive (eg dc charging speed, small differences 0-100 time).

[@RodneyW]

@@jamesjarman5003 I hope you're right about the warranty! The infotainment and suspension would be my concerns with the shortened warranty. I had the infotainment fail on a Toyota Kluger out of warranty, and that was going to be horrendously expensive... until Toyota agreed to do it for free as a goodwill gesture. I agree fully with you that acceleration stats and charging speeds are much less relevant than the driving experience and utility. Have fun with it.

[@jamesjarman5003]

@@RodneyW thanks. Honestly it feels like I’m driving a $100k car for $50k

[@markandkim66]

Did you say “BMW’ when you were opening the bonnet?😂😂

[@RodneyW]

He did. It's ironic, because BYD was originally a Chinese BMW knockoff, right down to the logo!

[@ProductReviewCars]

hahah yes! Because BMW's also employ a double pull of the hood latch to release it.

[@wensiangfong]

We will know if the seal is really a good car in reliability in 3 to 4 years..one bad thing is a lot of complaints about byd quality problems..not very safe.

[@georgefenrirbitadze4757]

You must be joking right? Ahahahahahhah

[@Audios81]

Have to disagree with you opinion on the climate control system. Having purchased a Seal Performance in Feb 2024 and it rejects way more heat than the Tesla's pano roof. And the A/C also is usualy set at 23-24 degrees usually when in our G20 BMW it would have been set at 21-22 degrees. Even this long winter, have had the temp in the high 20s versus the BMW which would have been at least 30. Not sure how long you tested it or the conditions but the climate control is extremely powerful and the roof has a "silver" coating the rejects a large amount of heat. Another owner has tested the difference between his Model 3 and the Seal and the Seal proved to be cooler in the heat and the climate control was also cooler. As for range, you are pressed to get over 500kms on a charge, highway or city. The most we've gotten was about 500 in city driving and approx 450 on a trip to Canberra from Sydney. And the ADAS has significantly been improved from the onset at the beginning of the year. While not perfect, its no longer intrusive like it once was. BYD has been great at OTA updates as well. Overall an impressive, rattle and squeak free vehicle that has been nothing but reliable over 15k kms. Definitely an EV conbert as long as you have a petrol or diesel as another car.

[@stephaneli88]

How/where do you reach 31 degrees during winter in NSW?

[@ProductReviewCars]

This was filmed a few months back. Thankfully it's not 31 degrees in the middle of winter.

[@Alfredosolotravels]

Everyone car is supposed to be the “Tesla killer” but it still hasn’t happened

[@ProductReviewCars]

Mainly comes down to infotainment, range and charging infrastructure

[@pkerry12]

the lack of understanding on what tech is under the shell of a telsa vs BYD disturbs me it means no one does research in to how a car is made or what components are put in it, the manufacturing process, and the infrastructure that is built for it. The issue is people are influenced by shiny things, and rely on people to tell them what to buy. Do your own research people opinion is subjective dont' rely on what people recommend to you.

[@Thailand-Servant-111]

Tesla​ still​ leader😊

[@borinvlogs]

you cant compete with tesla without giving customers amazing charging networks that can compete with tesla's superchargers

[@ProductReviewCars]

I totally wish more brands rolled out their own charging networks

[@octavianbaicu]

Nahhh. Still Tesla is the King. lol

[@ProductReviewCars]

They're a hard car to beat

[@Cloud__ffvii]

Tried both, got the BYD

[@JohnnyBravo888]

NO

[@Great_America]

It’s Chinese junk. Good luck getting anything out of that warranty 😂

[@ProductReviewCars]

User name checks out

[@A861967]

Slow charging rate, unreasonable range, if you drive a few hills and challenging twisty rd the range drops alarmingly to that 40% range, not enough to get back home.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Charge rate could be better. Will need the car for longer to verify that. I only had it for 24 hours, simply not enough time to see how this would do on a long road trip.

[@Audios81]

Average 450km on the highway and 500km in the city with charging at up to 156kw on Evie super fast DC chargers. This with a Seal Performance.

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

just another EV shitbox 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jamesjarman5003]

drive one and try it. I've just changed from a petrol car. The new LFP batteries don't catch fire and don't degrade, the acceleration is mind blowing

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

@@jamesjarman5003 i’ve driven EV’s on road & also hard on track at a tesla club day… they’re utterly appalling… was also funny to see all the tesla’s run out of charge with no chargers available… also all those tesla’s were stuffed after just a few laps… brakes, tyres, etc… yet they were sold as “track versions”… EV’s are crap💩

[@jamesjarman5003]

@@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya you must be wanting different stuff from me in a car. I just bought a seal. On a novated lease its nicer, cheaper (to run and drive), accelerates better than any petrol car i've had. I don't need to visit a servo ever again- just plug in and charge off the rooftop solar. A charge easily lasts a whole week with my 15km drive to work

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

@@jamesjarman5003 no way u believe that BS… if u do get urgent mental help

[@jamesjarman5003]

@@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya believe what aspect of it? I own one. I do charge it off my solar. My insurance company didn’t think fires are an issue - they would for sure charge me more if they could but my premiums are less. The battery has a 7 year warranty for retaining >90% charge. I don’t have to believe anyone but myself and my experience