Peter, I am old enough (78) to remember the Japanese Junk comments. I also remember the comments made about those cars when they said they come with a heater and a radio as standard. I remember the comments about the Korean cars too. And now we say the same about China. What I have noticed is Asian cars have improved each year while European cars have now started to fail. The same happened with electronics and now I have astounding HIFi that is Japanese. Another informative video and I must say that Goodwood has the best signage of entry points and apex markers I have ever seen. Thanks mate.
I have the AWD model, and you still get the frunk, so no charge to RWD. I am based in Australia, we have just received an OTA update, the car drives so much better. Unsure about the UK, but we also get a HUD.
Have a Seal Performance AWD purchased in April and it has 15k kms currently and it's been nothing but a great little car. Well not little, the back seat is truly massive and comfortable. Not a squeak, rattle or noise with build quality the same as it was at day one. Reliability has been perfect as well. Hitting 500kms on a charge in the city and about 450kms highway range. Fastest charging was at 157kw at a super fast 350kw charger. Price was 77k AUD before it's price drop mid year. The ADAS has been significantly improved through OTA updates from BYD. The only downfall is wish it were a bit lighter to make more use of the 523hp and not concerned but I'm sure brake wear isn't going to be nil with its weight and fast driving, as the regen isn't strong at all. But overall extremely impressed for it's cheap price, with not much coming even close to 523hp for the price. It's been reliable, quiet, rattle and squeak free. The only real issue has been the passenger side floor mat, with the back not having deep enough spikes, it often slides forward. Not bad for a cheap EV made in China. Not bad at all.
The wipers stalk & indicator stalk are actually on the correct side for right hand drive car’s ! It was only when European car’s started coming to the uk that they started to be on the left hand side ! Great video 👍
My dad's Morris 1000 traveler had the indicator stalk on the RHS...so you could hold the steering wheel, operate the indicator stalk with your fingers and still use the gear stick with your left hand...
I have the Seal Dynamic, I am in Australia,not sold in UK so far, it has a 61kwh battery, it has a couple of missing features like HUD and memory seats, it is a terrific car, I t cost the equivalent of 23,500 Pounds, thats with the Queensland government’s 3000 pounds incentive, I call it my BYD Steal!
@@bubuneowoo6161 Christ, you’re a sharp one! He clearly said THIS car doesn’t use cobalt, but did refer to moans about cobalt in (other) batteries. So how is a comment relating to that ignorant, or irrelevant. Try adding some inferential comprehension to your apparent mastery of literal comprehension.
I suspect that as LFP batteries improve and become more energy dense, NMC batteries will gradually become less and less common. Apart from anything else LFP batteries are a lot cheaper than NMC, and can be routinely charged to 100% without fear of degradation. Apparently they degrade more slowly as well, although we may have to 15-20 years to absolutely confirm that beyond all reasonable doubt! 😃
I have been driving a BYD seal for 2 months and it is a fantastic car. The road tester is impressed with the "low" price of £45000; I paid 1490000 baht which is £33200 here in Thailand.... an absolute bargain and it is similar to the price in Australia. I have noticed a rapid increase in the number of BYD's on the road in the last 6 months and I for sure would never go back to an ICE car after this.
Those cobalt commenters conveniently forget they are now helping keep children working in the Congo to remove the sulfur from their fossil fuels and has been for decades now possibly since they started removing sulfur. Those stalks are perfect, the norm in Australia, but have experienced the opposite and turned on the wipers when turning. The glass roof is also silver coated which reduces the temp very well as tested by a RUclipsr here in Australia comparing to his Model Y which came out the worse vs the Seal glass roof for temp reduction. I much prefer the Wh/km which my classic Ioniq I had set for after watching Bjorn as that is what the Tesla does. Love the Seal, if I could have two EV's the Seal RWD would be it but being a single parent only one car household.
It is not "their fossil fuel" it is "our fossil fuel". Everything we have is thanks to fossil fuel. If you took fossil fuel away tonight there would be no cars, no matter if they used electric or Pixie dust to power them. If you took away EV's, the world wouldn't even notice. And yes, we are looking at a Seal as our next car. Seems the I-Pace will be dead in the water soon.
BYD have been making vehicles since 2003, 21 years now, and their first EV in 2010, 14 years now. The WLTP range is predicted by driving the vehicle in Eco mode. Drive in Normal, and Sport's mode, and it will get less range. Android auto is a wireless connection in BYD vehicles, wired with Apple carplay. Dont fiddle with your phone while you are driving. it's a safety hazard, and you won't accidentally put it into neutral, will you? If you want a smoother throttle response, drive in Eco mode, it has plenty of power even in Eco mode. All BYD Seal Sedan versions have a front frunk. Some people like the screen in portrait mode when using GPS.
Great review Peter. If Western governments don’t put the brakes on Chinese EVs (probably not in their interests because of codependency) it will be like what Japanese cars and motorcycles particularly did in the 1970s. I’d far prefer a 70s Japanese motorcycle to a British or American one now! The Seal is by far the most appealing BYD offering to me. £45K is still beyond my means but in a couple of years a £20K depreciated one might get me thinking ‘where do I sign?’.
"If you get the four wheel variant you don't get a front boot" → WRONG! You get a frunk in both variants. The AWD version adds a HUD and semi active suspension. You don't lose anything the RWD has
I've got to say, from what I've seen of this car it is very good. Looks more engaging than a Tesla by a mile and it appears to do the job at a much more competitive price than other manufacturers.
To small it’s making a bad noise it’s Chinese none for badly copying Europe cars in china they are half the price you will pay in the uk and to put a cherry 🍒 on top you will lose half its value in 2 years good luck if anything goes wrong it’s hard enough getting a gas car fixed but happy days
Safety is the real problem with BYD, both in terms of battery integrity (too many fires) and substandard supports on the axle and wheel base. This is not a minor issue and video doesn't even touch on it.
@@PETERJOHN101 because those issues are in their Hybrids not the BEV models also in the Chinese sold cars where to pass safely all a car needs is 4 wheels and a door.
Price is a joke in the UK when you compare to the price in China and even other RHD countries like Thailand and Australia. UK getting fleeced as usual. They have a dealership in MK and I haven’t seen many around so it will be interesting to see if sales pick up.
BYD are everywhere theses days when it comes to electric vehicles. They have partnered with some of the biggest car and bus manufacturers to produce electric vehicles . You probably won't realise it is a Byd battery underneath.
@@antihypocrisy8978 They all talk about battery on fire for a LFP battery. That show how much knowledge they have. They all talking like ICE car don't set on fire when engine blows up, oil leeks that causes fire etc ......
When the SEAL came out in Singapore over the last few months, we all have been thinking and still do that it is the direct competitor to Tesla as being a cheaper and about as good an option too.. I'm not into EVs, but if SG's EV infrastructure is more mature and if I was to pick an EV, it would be the SEAL. Practically wise, I would pick your Model with the RWD since the Dual Motor version does trade a little bit more range as well as the frunk. Can't really go super fast at 520HP on dense Singapore Roads anyway.
Don’t want to be that guy but I’m going to be that guy. The AWD has the same front boot as the rear wheel drive. You also get a HUD and heated steering wheel. You should correct that error.
Prices are better in Oz. We get Dolphin, MG4 and Ora EVs for under $40k AU. Tried to convince a friend to go Seal but I think it was outside his comfort zone. I still think the 3 is a better EV, lighter and more efficient, although who knows where they are heading going forward. BYD meanwhile has the Seagull, which is just what the world of cars needs more of.
BYD had their cars on display in a shopping centre a few weeks back while shopping with my teenage daughter. She looked into the brand and she really wants the Seagul. I hope they bring it to Australia for a reasonable price.
Pretty sure BYD has just overtaken everyone in cars in sales!? or something? BYDs next few offerings are amazing too! not sure if the UK will get any of them though.... Xiaomis SU7 is also amazing!!! And obviously EVERYONE apart from the West is talking about the Yangwang U8!!! Theyre undercutting everyone! And with value as well!
China is coming out with mad mad metal, think about it Zeekr 007, IML6, Xiaomi Su7 all do 2.78 seconds to sixty. Lotus is born again. Geely Galaxy E8 does 3.3 seconds. Very competitive cars
If you want optimal range, I would recommend driving softly preferably on eco mode. EVs get insanely efficient once you know how to get most out of it. But most folks love the instant torque and be very aggressive with acceleration. Then the efficiency goes for a toss.
living in thailand over 30 years and we have 7 evs in our company. i think the charging network is excellent . bangkok tp phuket 68 stations . ptt has the most .they install 2-3 new ones every week.elexa is the most reliable . many shopping centers good to park and charge .cover up to 550 km with the seal. in thailand.for all trips below 250km we charge at our own solar system /grid
I am yet to be convinced or tempted by EVs, but the BYD might make me think again. I have been in a few Teslas and have been underwhelmed by the interior build quality, and I was expecting you to say the same about the Seal. Your favourable comments--front seats nothwithstanding--make it seem to be remarkable value for money.
RHD Cars traditionally have the indicator on the right to free the left hand for gear changing in manual cars. In Australia Ford and Holden all had the indicator on the right.
As others have mentioned - the AWD version still has the front boot. I took one out for several hours test drive one day and have one on the way, so checked for these things. The only differences between the two beyond the driven wheels are a slightly lower range in the higher power model, along with a HUD. Also, the indicator stalks have been "corrected" to the left for those arriving in the UK from early 2024. Also: I don't know what the case is with Apple Carplay, but Android Auto on my S23 Ultra was wireless when I took the car out 🙂
Is inderdaad een fantastische auto. Hier kanTesla nog wat van leren. Spijtig dat er steeds commentaar is omdat hij uit China komt. Men is toch steeds voor vrije markt economie? Mooie reportage over de auto. Thx.
The BYD stand at Everything Electric Show London was very impressive and had a lot of interest. Their cars are all well finished with a premium feel. I drove the Dolphin. It was excellent. Very premium, not at all like it’s small hatch competition. Speaking as a Model 3 owner I can see the seal is aiming to be a direct competitor. For me, the interior was a bit cluttered and claustrophobic but that’s personal taste from a Tesla owner. The Seal will sell to customers who want a Model 3 but like a more traditional cabin. It will probably tempt buyers of German saloons. The scale and ambition of BYD must be getting legacy manufacturers worried. More importantly, like Tesla, they’re actually making a profit on their EVs where legacy manufacturers are making loses. When the price wars begin the Chinese manufacturers and Tesla can afford to win.
@@barrycampbell3303Quoted range is 580km but I get 500km, however my car is the AWD drive performance version and all my power is free from my off-grid solar system so let’s say I don’t drive in eco mode 😊
I drove the atto3 and dolphin while shopping for a new car. Lovely cars to drive but I found the Regen breaking and lack of one peddle driving lets them down compared to other evs. Interior and exterior are superb, put them next to VW cars and it’s not a hard sell, they feel so much better.
The cost in the UK is crazy. I only paid $60000 Australian dollars for mine. That's the equivalent of £31000. For the same speck as the one driven here.
Shame our 'tradional' leasing policy does not include the BYD's yet. Very nice car for this price tag and so is the entire range of BYD. Saw a black HAN last week and it had a lot of Audi in the styling. Not bad for a comparison. Cheers!
I hope this comes to the states if Volvo's be used as any sort of reference they look great on paper but have horrible reliability issues on the operating system side so let them come over and let's see if they can iron it out and challenged the established automakers here that I currently overcharging and under delivering
I wonder if that high pitched noise was from the roof at very high speeds. It seemed to only come on when going very fast. I Have a Seal Dynamic (in New Zealand) which is the 150kw RWD version. I've never experienced that noise before, then again I don't think I've gone fast enough to induce it.
Firstly, hope you're feeling better now. 06:42 What was that smudge? I saw one on the road the other day and it looked really good on the road. I'm so glad that BYD binned off writing "Build Your Dreams" on the back of their cars 😅 I find it's really exciting to see what China (and Korea) is doing with EV's. Legacy brands really need to keep up!
UK buys VW products who don’t make anything here, so no real difference to UK skilled jobs when BYD own the roads. Germany needs to be worried, this looks great. Too big for UK roads but that hasn’t stopped fat ugly SUVs blocked the roads. Another great review of the future, great work.
I thought the Seal looked awesome for a first chinese global car! Then Xiaomi releases the SU7!!!!! as a first venture into cars! Then ive seen the other BYD offerings and the brands under BYD! theres the Yangwang U8 saving people in flooded Dubai because the U8 is also a boat!!!!!???? And now ive just discovered the Denza Z9 something or other!!! WTF did all these cool cars suddenly hatch from!
One of my coworkers has been driving a Seal for the past 6 months and they are loving it. Their previous car was an Audi SUV. Their favorite thing..the Karaoke 😊
Just a pity none of the Stellantis cars, except the eBerlingo amd variants, have a tow rating. Especially as the ICE versions do have. Being able to tow even a 500kg towing rating would improve them so much. A light trailer to the landfill or lightweight camping trailer. The fact that they AREN'T overweight SUV-style vehicles is one of the attractions. More economical because of less aero drag and weight.
Would love to see you drive the new 3 performance and tell me is it A) worth paying around 12k more and is there now a tangible difference in the build quality of the Tesla vs BYD. Cheers Ped
That was really interesting as one of friends brother is the sales manager at a local Arnold Clark which was recently built as a large Ford franchise but has now changed to BYD and my friends sister in law bought a car from BYD and it is supposed to be very good and it looks like it is. The other thing is the dealership is about ten minutes from my house at Linwood which has a rich heritage in car manufacturing. That could be a very good proposition as a second hand car sometime in the future if we don't go down the plug in hybrid route as back up on longer drives or the Nissan route as we are now used to electric car driving.
A BYD exec stated that they were intentionally pricing their cars a little higher in Europe so that they could keep the price consistent if protectionist tariffs are put into place.
@@larryevans6739 initially I read that and thought good explanation but then i thought about it again. It's madness, "we are jacking up the price so we can maintain that high price later on. We need more disrupters in the market who aren't trying to fleece us.
I'm no fan of milk-floats (as you well know!) but I had a drive of the two BYD offerings at the British Motor Show last year. Very impressive vehicles and a very nice place to be - at a sort of reasonable price, too!
Milk floats!!! Get a grip for fuck sake, it’s a car! If you don’t want an EV it’s a car, if you don’t want a petrol or diesel it’s still car! Just move on
Can the battery be replaced easily or is the car a throw-away once the battery expires? That’s the question that came to mind when you said the battery was an integral part of the structure.
@@JamesSmith-qs4hx It’s hardly the path to saving the planet then…My Sud will be 50yo on April 29th, my 147 will be 23 in November, both going strongly. I need a car that will last for more than the veritable blink of an eye.
The battery has an 8 year warranty James and can be recycled into a home battery storage system at the end of its life as an Ev battery. In China, there are taxis with the BYD blade battery that have done well over 500,000 km. The battery will outlast the actual vehicle.
That's a lot closer to being a genuine Tesla competitor than anything Europe or Japan produces. And much as I liked the concept of that Mazda hybrid you tested a few days ago, it looks way expensive compared to the BYD. As a private buyer, I still don't think I'd buy one though.
I’m not sure how this video has passed me by! I currently have a RWD extended range Mach-e but Ford are pricing themselves out of the market with their new EV’s so this is my current favourite to replace it with. I suspect it’s a superior car in many ways. Thanks again for a great and balanced analysis of the Seal. It’s going to take something special for me to go elsewhere. Just need a BYD dealer to pop up in Essex in the next 12 months 🤞
I don’t get it. RHS indicators is the traditional UK side of the steering wheel. Are UK drivers more used to EU/USA LHS indicators? It’s a good vehicle IMO, but it’s too expensive for the segment it sits in. You can compare costs to other EVs if you wish, however to transition to EVs you need equivalence with ICE. How does this compare with comparable sized legacy brands? Huge power and longer range are not the answer to get me over the line.
Hoping that cold is subsiding, Mr Ped. Get well soon! That racetrack footage was really special! It's fun to see what these cars can do in extreme conditions. I like the smaller panel directly in front of the driver. If only the huge centre screen could be removed and put in a slot on the dash or chucked under the seat when I don't want it. Overall, it's really quite nice, and it looks enjoyable!
Haven't driven but got a good look at one (here in NZ) when went to see the Abarth 500e launch, as dealer does BYD, GWM and Stellantis brands. Was impressed with the Seal quality, makes Tesla Model 3 look shoddy. At nz$63,000-83,000 somewhat of a value contrast with the Abarth 500e (nz$74,000) too!
A stunning fact about this car is that in its homeland China this very same car starts at 23 thousand pounds! The additional price when it hits our shores is shipping but he bulk of it is import duty imposed by our government. A sobering fact. That's why legacy manufacturers are so afraid of the Chinese car makers- on a level playing field these cars would destroy them...
I've heard you can change the way the ventilation air comes in, but you can't actually just simply close the separate vents the usual way....Is that correct?
I'm not altogether certain about the battery arrangement. How long, and at what cost , will it takes to remove the battery if it needs 'servicing' for any reason? Or even at a very high mileage exchange. I feel that a separate battery pack , as on the LEAF has advantages. (Workshop time for a battery swap is 2.5 hours)
IS COOL from what ive been seeing! also supposedly 20K cheaper than the Seal!!!!?? Also the Yangwang U8!!!!! theres a ton of cool cars all of a sudden from China!???
BYD beat Tesla in Q4 2023 on BEV sales, however, Tesla have pulled ahead, probably because of the new Model 3 Highland. That’s not to underestimate BYD. Their goal is to be bigger than Toyota by 2030.
Every battery is a specialist part. But BYD manufactures their own batteries for their own cars. BYD they are the only company in the world to do this. This keeps prices down, at least in countries that don't add high duties on Chinese cars. @@piglet5287
Looks like a cool car design wise… just noticing the panel gap on the front left quarter is a bit hideous… is that a play of the light or is it really that bad?
The front end, is sort of Manga meets Star Wars stormtrooper. Not really bad but prefer the uncluttered Tesla front ends. Did I see a button on the right stalk, to switch off the LKA? Instead of having to go through multiple menus. I don’t like LKA or LFA, as the systems take no account of road surface. So you’re trying to avoid the potholes or the dead badger. While the vehicle thinks you’re sleepy or driving dangerously.
It’s a lot of car for the money for sure. And with regards to the ‘pay more for less’ arguments some folks occasionally level against EVs (in terms of range I mean), well that’s nothing new. My M340i does 400 miles tops to a tank. A 320d does at least 550… Still not my cup of tea but as with MGs of today, it will appeal to those for whom the VFM proposition is front and centre.
My Tesla model y performance gets more miles than that and I drive it hard. I do like the styling, it's obvious they have taken inspiration from other cars, both inside and out. BYD are trying hard to take get a large chunk of the market share so they are making almost no profit on these cars
BYD use third party UK Dealer networks and are primarily looking at fleet car sales as usual regarding electric cars, it’s the unlikely way they can attract high sales. However the incentives the Government were providing are not there now and fleet management companies are now thinking twice about recommending electric cars to company’s as a whole. Company car drivers will be in line for benefit in kind taxes now if they decide to specify an electric car so company car drivers will be thinking twice about electric cars as they have already experienced the poor public charging network unless they have used a Tesla to which case the Tesla network is far superior to the 14 or so private charging companies that make up the UK charging network.
If we can get these cars at the prices close to other countries or in China, these will be the bargain of the century but as usual we get shafted in the Uk on car prices regardless where they come from.
My wife has a Jaguar I Pace I had serious reservations but it’s a great car. Charging is easy and it’s fast…. Like rapid fast. Not an EV guy myself I love my dirty diesel but she’s happy with it and that’s all that matters
US is walling itself up from the rest of the non western world. From phones to EVs..Unfortunately this is the era of Americans just looking at the new tech from East racing by.
Peter, I am old enough (78) to remember the Japanese Junk comments. I also remember the comments made about those cars when they said they come with a heater and a radio as standard. I remember the comments about the Korean cars too. And now we say the same about China. What I have noticed is Asian cars have improved each year while European cars have now started to fail. The same happened with electronics and now I have astounding HIFi that is Japanese. Another informative video and I must say that Goodwood has the best signage of entry points and apex markers I have ever seen. Thanks mate.
I have the AWD model, and you still get the frunk, so no charge to RWD. I am based in Australia, we have just received an OTA update, the car drives so much better. Unsure about the UK, but we also get a HUD.
The HUD is only available on the top specification model, All Wheel Drive in the UK.
There are three models in Australia. A base model RWD, without HUD, the Premium model RWD, with HUD and the Performance model AWD, with HUD.
Have a Seal Performance AWD purchased in April and it has 15k kms currently and it's been nothing but a great little car. Well not little, the back seat is truly massive and comfortable.
Not a squeak, rattle or noise with build quality the same as it was at day one. Reliability has been perfect as well. Hitting 500kms on a charge in the city and about 450kms highway range. Fastest charging was at 157kw at a super fast 350kw charger. Price was 77k AUD before it's price drop mid year. The ADAS has been significantly improved through OTA updates from BYD.
The only downfall is wish it were a bit lighter to make more use of the 523hp and not concerned but I'm sure brake wear isn't going to be nil with its weight and fast driving, as the regen isn't strong at all.
But overall extremely impressed for it's cheap price, with not much coming even close to 523hp for the price. It's been reliable, quiet, rattle and squeak free. The only real issue has been the passenger side floor mat, with the back not having deep enough spikes, it often slides forward. Not bad for a cheap EV made in China. Not bad at all.
The wipers stalk & indicator stalk are actually on the correct side for right hand drive car’s ! It was only when European car’s started coming to the uk that they started to be on the left hand side ! Great video 👍
Your use of the apostrophe on the word cars is not correct.
@@Nickbaldeagle02 Bwahahahaha
Wow 😂
My dad's Morris 1000 traveler had the indicator stalk on the RHS...so you could hold the steering wheel, operate the indicator stalk with your fingers and still use the gear stick with your left hand...
Had a Kia Niro for 3yrs cost 40k..got 15k as a trade in....nobody is mentioning depreciation so much money....
I have the Seal Dynamic, I am in Australia,not sold in UK so far, it has a 61kwh battery, it has a couple of missing features like HUD and memory seats, it is a terrific car, I t cost the equivalent of 23,500 Pounds, thats with the Queensland government’s 3000 pounds incentive, I call it my BYD Steal!
Those people that complain about Cobalt in batteries do they know that Cobalt is used in petrol/diesel refining to remove sulphur?
Yes… but, the amounts now needed for this co2 eradication programme?
BYD batteries are cobalt-free. Please stop exposing your ignorance in a public forum
@@bubuneowoo6161 Exactly but @kronkite1530 obviously did not hear that bit!
@@bubuneowoo6161 Christ, you’re a sharp one! He clearly said THIS car doesn’t use cobalt, but did refer to moans about cobalt in (other) batteries. So how is a comment relating to that ignorant, or irrelevant. Try adding some inferential comprehension to your apparent mastery of literal comprehension.
I suspect that as LFP batteries improve and become more energy dense, NMC batteries will gradually become less and less common. Apart from anything else LFP batteries are a lot cheaper than NMC, and can be routinely charged to 100% without fear of degradation. Apparently they degrade more slowly as well, although we may have to 15-20 years to absolutely confirm that beyond all reasonable doubt! 😃
I have been driving a BYD seal for 2 months and it is a fantastic car. The road tester is impressed with the "low" price of £45000; I paid 1490000 baht which is £33200 here in Thailand.... an absolute bargain and it is similar to the price in Australia. I have noticed a rapid increase in the number of BYD's on the road in the last 6 months and I for sure would never go back to an ICE car after this.
This guy is doing this video to find and exaggerate everything that is bad about the Seal.
Thailand is next to china, was it possible for you to but it from china then drove it across the border back to Thailand?
@@Anil_Dikshit No, I bought it from
the BYD dealer in Chiang Mai
@@martinwalker9234 I said "is it possible for people to buy directly from China instead of waiting for it to be available in their own country".
@@Anil_Dikshit not sure about that, I think sorting out the import paperwork would be a nightmare
Those cobalt commenters conveniently forget they are now helping keep children working in the Congo to remove the sulfur from their fossil fuels and has been for decades now possibly since they started removing sulfur. Those stalks are perfect, the norm in Australia, but have experienced the opposite and turned on the wipers when turning. The glass roof is also silver coated which reduces the temp very well as tested by a RUclipsr here in Australia comparing to his Model Y which came out the worse vs the Seal glass roof for temp reduction. I much prefer the Wh/km which my classic Ioniq I had set for after watching Bjorn as that is what the Tesla does. Love the Seal, if I could have two EV's the Seal RWD would be it but being a single parent only one car household.
It is not "their fossil fuel" it is "our fossil fuel". Everything we have is thanks to fossil fuel. If you took fossil fuel away tonight there would be no cars, no matter if they used electric or Pixie dust to power them. If you took away EV's, the world wouldn't even notice. And yes, we are looking at a Seal as our next car. Seems the I-Pace will be dead in the water soon.
This video is incorrect about the frunk. It is not lost in the AWD version.
It also is 3.8 secs 0 to 100 kph.
Yes , the performance version also has a frunk
BYD have been making vehicles since 2003, 21 years now, and their first EV in 2010, 14 years now.
The WLTP range is predicted by driving the vehicle in Eco mode. Drive in Normal, and Sport's mode, and it will get less range.
Android auto is a wireless connection in BYD vehicles, wired with Apple carplay.
Dont fiddle with your phone while you are driving. it's a safety hazard, and you won't accidentally put it into neutral, will you?
If you want a smoother throttle response, drive in Eco mode, it has plenty of power even in Eco mode.
All BYD Seal Sedan versions have a front frunk.
Some people like the screen in portrait mode when using GPS.
We have software updates here in HK that turn Apple carplay to wireless. Hopefully it will be released in other places as well.
I'm sure it will
@@bennycheung5333 thats good to know they rolling it out in HK and it works. Looking forward to rolling this out in EU.
BYD cars are absolutely amazing. From design to battery technology. I drove the BYD Sea Lion recently and thought I was in a luxury European car.
Great review Peter. If Western governments don’t put the brakes on Chinese EVs (probably not in their interests because of codependency) it will be like what Japanese cars and motorcycles particularly did in the 1970s. I’d far prefer a 70s Japanese motorcycle to a British or American one now!
The Seal is by far the most appealing BYD offering to me. £45K is still beyond my means but in a couple of years a £20K depreciated one might get me thinking ‘where do I sign?’.
"If you get the four wheel variant you don't get a front boot" → WRONG! You get a frunk in both variants. The AWD version adds a HUD and semi active suspension. You don't lose anything the RWD has
I've got to say, from what I've seen of this car it is very good. Looks more engaging than a Tesla by a mile and it appears to do the job at a much more competitive price than other manufacturers.
To small it’s making a bad noise it’s Chinese none for badly copying Europe cars in china they are half the price you will pay in the uk and to put a cherry 🍒 on top you will lose half its value in 2 years good luck if anything goes wrong it’s hard enough getting a gas car fixed but happy days
Safety is the real problem with BYD, both in terms of battery integrity (too many fires) and substandard supports on the axle and wheel base. This is not a minor issue and video doesn't even touch on it.
@@PETERJOHN101 because those issues are in their Hybrids not the BEV models also in the Chinese sold cars where to pass safely all a car needs is 4 wheels and a door.
@@DarrenBrown-i1syour talking rubbish pal
@@PETERJOHN101 the other guy above is talking rubbish but u haven't a clue
Had a test of one today and I'm seriously considering one
Nice 👌
@PetrolPed can I still call myself a petrolhead if I have an EV daily and an R32 GTR running 600hp as a toy.....?😂
Sat in one at the auto sports show at the NEC earlier in the year. Interior and build quality did surprise me
Yep 👍
Price is a joke in the UK when you compare to the price in China and even other RHD countries like Thailand and Australia. UK getting fleeced as usual. They have a dealership in MK and I haven’t seen many around so it will be interesting to see if sales pick up.
Ped. the RWD standard range model 3 has the LFP Battery, meaning you can 100% Charge all of the time without damaging the battery
BYD are everywhere theses days when it comes to electric vehicles. They have partnered with some of the biggest car and bus manufacturers to produce electric vehicles . You probably won't realise it is a Byd battery underneath.
Not if the US sanctions it for being successful.
No wonder so many EV cars on fire !
Byd is already in the usa just not electric cars.
@@curtisducati EV fires are less frequent than ICE fires. But thanks for showing the world how haters are usually misinformed also.
@@antihypocrisy8978 They all talk about battery on fire for a LFP battery. That show how much knowledge they have. They all talking like ICE car don't set on fire when engine blows up, oil leeks that causes fire etc ......
When the SEAL came out in Singapore over the last few months, we all have been thinking and still do that it is the direct competitor to Tesla as being a cheaper and about as good an option too.. I'm not into EVs, but if SG's EV infrastructure is more mature and if I was to pick an EV, it would be the SEAL. Practically wise, I would pick your Model with the RWD since the Dual Motor version does trade a little bit more range as well as the frunk. Can't really go super fast at 520HP on dense Singapore Roads anyway.
Would you go for this or Tesla Model 3 if the latter is cheaper in Singapore? Depri is lower
well, i like it, and i do lots of EV homework as i already have one, and this is a top contender to replace my Kona EV in december
Don’t want to be that guy but I’m going to be that guy. The AWD has the same front boot as the rear wheel drive. You also get a HUD and heated steering wheel. You should correct that error.
I bought this car this year (AWD version with a frunk!). Very happy so far. Fantastic car.
Very nice!
I have to say i am not an EV fan, i would never buy one for all the obvious reasons but i did find this an interesting review - Thank you.
Would never touch an EV as im afraid it would burn my house down. Or garage at least. But this LFP thing seems to be the real deal.
Prices are better in Oz. We get Dolphin, MG4 and Ora EVs for under $40k AU. Tried to convince a friend to go Seal but I think it was outside his comfort zone. I still think the 3 is a better EV, lighter and more efficient, although who knows where they are heading going forward. BYD meanwhile has the Seagull, which is just what the world of cars needs more of.
BYD had their cars on display in a shopping centre a few weeks back while shopping with my teenage daughter. She looked into the brand and she really wants the Seagul. I hope they bring it to Australia for a reasonable price.
The seat coverings in the 3 look like there made of plastic
Pretty sure BYD has just overtaken everyone in cars in sales!? or something? BYDs next few offerings are amazing too! not sure if the UK will get any of them though.... Xiaomis SU7 is also amazing!!! And obviously EVERYONE apart from the West is talking about the Yangwang U8!!! Theyre undercutting everyone! And with value as well!
China is coming out with mad mad metal, think about it Zeekr 007, IML6, Xiaomi Su7 all do 2.78 seconds to sixty. Lotus is born again. Geely Galaxy E8 does 3.3 seconds. Very competitive cars
If you want optimal range, I would recommend driving softly preferably on eco mode. EVs get insanely efficient once you know how to get most out of it. But most folks love the instant torque and be very aggressive with acceleration. Then the efficiency goes for a toss.
Yep 👍
3:10 All Seal Models have a front Boot
As you may know by now I live in Thailand. BYD are extremely popular over here even thought the charging network is not the best.
In the first quarter of 2024, BYD sold 16,401 vehicles in Thailand.
living in thailand over 30 years and we have 7 evs in our company. i think the charging network is excellent . bangkok tp phuket 68 stations . ptt has the most .they install 2-3 new ones every week.elexa is the most reliable . many shopping centers good to park and charge .cover up to 550 km with the seal. in thailand.for all trips below 250km we charge at our own solar system /grid
I am yet to be convinced or tempted by EVs, but the BYD might make me think again. I have been in a few Teslas and have been underwhelmed by the interior build quality, and I was expecting you to say the same about the Seal. Your favourable comments--front seats nothwithstanding--make it seem to be remarkable value for money.
RHD Cars traditionally have the indicator on the right to free the left hand for gear changing in manual cars. In Australia Ford and Holden all had the indicator on the right.
As others have mentioned - the AWD version still has the front boot. I took one out for several hours test drive one day and have one on the way, so checked for these things.
The only differences between the two beyond the driven wheels are a slightly lower range in the higher power model, along with a HUD. Also, the indicator stalks have been "corrected" to the left for those arriving in the UK from early 2024.
Also: I don't know what the case is with Apple Carplay, but Android Auto on my S23 Ultra was wireless when I took the car out 🙂
Have to say It looks much better than a Tesla. Interesting EV, Another great review, hope you feel better soon. 👍
it looks the same as a tesla
Seen a few around and they look great
Is inderdaad een fantastische auto. Hier kanTesla nog wat van leren. Spijtig dat er steeds commentaar is omdat hij uit China komt. Men is toch steeds voor vrije markt economie? Mooie reportage over de auto. Thx.
A small correction. You have to plug the phone in for an Apple, not Android. I think BYD are working on this.
The BYD stand at Everything Electric Show London was very impressive and had a lot of interest. Their cars are all well finished with a premium feel. I drove the Dolphin. It was excellent. Very premium, not at all like it’s small hatch competition.
Speaking as a Model 3 owner I can see the seal is aiming to be a direct competitor. For me, the interior was a bit cluttered and claustrophobic but that’s personal taste from a Tesla owner. The Seal will sell to customers who want a Model 3 but like a more traditional cabin. It will probably tempt buyers of German saloons.
The scale and ambition of BYD must be getting legacy manufacturers worried. More importantly, like Tesla, they’re actually making a profit on their EVs where legacy manufacturers are making loses. When the price wars begin the Chinese manufacturers and Tesla can afford to win.
Great point 👍
I’ve owned the AWD Seal for 5 months and love driving it. I have the bi-directional charging powering my house - videos on my channel for the doubters
What real world battery range do you get?
@@barrycampbell3303Quoted range is 580km but I get 500km, however my car is the AWD drive performance version and all my power is free from my off-grid solar system so let’s say I don’t drive in eco mode 😊
I drove the atto3 and dolphin while shopping for a new car. Lovely cars to drive but I found the Regen breaking and lack of one peddle driving lets them down compared to other evs. Interior and exterior are superb, put them next to VW cars and it’s not a hard sell, they feel so much better.
correction the 4x4 twinmotor have the frunk at 53liter storage.
The cost in the UK is crazy. I only paid $60000 Australian dollars for mine. That's the equivalent of £31000. For the same speck as the one driven here.
UK tax man .....
Shame our 'tradional' leasing policy does not include the BYD's yet. Very nice car for this price tag and so is the entire range of BYD. Saw a black HAN last week and it had a lot of Audi in the styling. Not bad for a comparison. Cheers!
Leasing Options can get you a Seal.
I hope this comes to the states if Volvo's be used as any sort of reference they look great on paper but have horrible reliability issues on the operating system side so let them come over and let's see if they can iron it out and challenged the established automakers here that I currently overcharging and under delivering
I wonder if that high pitched noise was from the roof at very high speeds. It seemed to only come on when going very fast. I Have a Seal Dynamic (in New Zealand) which is the 150kw RWD version. I've never experienced that noise before, then again I don't think I've gone fast enough to induce it.
Firstly, hope you're feeling better now. 06:42 What was that smudge? I saw one on the road the other day and it looked really good on the road. I'm so glad that BYD binned off writing "Build Your Dreams" on the back of their cars 😅 I find it's really exciting to see what China (and Korea) is doing with EV's. Legacy brands really need to keep up!
BYD stands for Build Your Dreams. Still cringe worthy.
@@paul._davidahh thanks. I’ve amended it 😅
UK buys VW products who don’t make anything here, so no real difference to UK skilled jobs when BYD own the roads. Germany needs to be worried, this looks great. Too big for UK roads but that hasn’t stopped fat ugly SUVs blocked the roads. Another great review of the future, great work.
I thought the Seal looked awesome for a first chinese global car! Then Xiaomi releases the SU7!!!!! as a first venture into cars! Then ive seen the other BYD offerings and the brands under BYD! theres the Yangwang U8 saving people in flooded Dubai because the U8 is also a boat!!!!!???? And now ive just discovered the Denza Z9 something or other!!! WTF did all these cool cars suddenly hatch from!
DENZA is a new energy automobile brand jointly launched by BYD and Mercedes-Benz
One of my coworkers has been driving a Seal for the past 6 months and they are loving it. Their previous car was an Audi SUV. Their favorite thing..the Karaoke 😊
XD i forgot about the karaoke!
Cripes! I do think a screen of that size would be distracting. Good review PP.
Same as a Tesla’s ??
It isn't distracting at all 😊
The Seal looks amazing. I get KIA Stinger vibes from it, which is a (seal), real compliment;)
Just a pity none of the Stellantis cars, except the eBerlingo amd variants, have a tow rating.
Especially as the ICE versions do have.
Being able to tow even a 500kg towing rating would improve them so much.
A light trailer to the landfill or lightweight camping trailer.
The fact that they AREN'T overweight SUV-style vehicles is one of the attractions.
More economical because of less aero drag and weight.
Would love to see you drive the new 3 performance and tell me is it A) worth paying around 12k more and is there now a tangible difference in the build quality of the Tesla vs BYD. Cheers Ped
Test drove the atto 3 at everything electric, very impressed with build.
That was really interesting as one of friends brother is the sales manager at a local Arnold Clark which was recently built as a large Ford franchise but has now changed to BYD and my friends sister in law bought a car from BYD and it is supposed to be very good and it looks like it is. The other thing is the dealership is about ten minutes from my house at Linwood which has a rich heritage in car manufacturing. That could be a very good proposition as a second hand car sometime in the future if we don't go down the plug in hybrid route as back up on longer drives or the Nissan route as we are now used to electric car driving.
We should all be questioning why this car is so expensive when compared to other territories.
Trade Tariffs that Govs have put on Chinese companies to protect western manufacturers.
A BYD exec stated that they were intentionally pricing their cars a little higher in Europe so that they could keep the price consistent if protectionist tariffs are put into place.
@@larryevans6739 initially I read that and thought good explanation but then i thought about it again. It's madness, "we are jacking up the price so we can maintain that high price later on. We need more disrupters in the market who aren't trying to fleece us.
Lol & if you believe that…
I'm no fan of milk-floats (as you well know!) but I had a drive of the two BYD offerings at the British Motor Show last year. Very impressive vehicles and a very nice place to be - at a sort of reasonable price, too!
Milk floats!!! Get a grip for fuck sake, it’s a car! If you don’t want an EV it’s a car, if you don’t want a petrol or diesel it’s still car! Just move on
Can the battery be replaced easily or is the car a throw-away once the battery expires? That’s the question that came to mind when you said the battery was an integral part of the structure.
They are all throw away.....
@@JamesSmith-qs4hx It’s hardly the path to saving the planet then…My Sud will be 50yo on April 29th, my 147 will be 23 in November, both going strongly. I need a car that will last for more than the veritable blink of an eye.
ruclips.net/video/n2J0BVxt-rg/видео.html
@@JamesSmith-qs4hx They can be recycled, unlike burned petrol & diesel....
The battery has an 8 year warranty James and can be recycled into a home battery storage system at the end of its life as an Ev battery.
In China, there are taxis with the BYD blade battery that have done well over 500,000 km.
The battery will outlast the actual vehicle.
That's a lot closer to being a genuine Tesla competitor than anything Europe or Japan produces.
And much as I liked the concept of that Mazda hybrid you tested a few days ago, it looks way expensive compared to the BYD.
As a private buyer, I still don't think I'd buy one though.
I’m not sure how this video has passed me by! I currently have a RWD extended range Mach-e but Ford are pricing themselves out of the market with their new EV’s so this is my current favourite to replace it with. I suspect it’s a superior car in many ways. Thanks again for a great and balanced analysis of the Seal. It’s going to take something special for me to go elsewhere. Just need a BYD dealer to pop up in Essex in the next 12 months 🤞
I don’t get it. RHS indicators is the traditional UK side of the steering wheel. Are UK drivers more used to EU/USA LHS indicators?
It’s a good vehicle IMO, but it’s too expensive for the segment it sits in. You can compare costs to other EVs if you wish, however to transition to EVs you need equivalence with ICE. How does this compare with comparable sized legacy brands? Huge power and longer range are not the answer to get me over the line.
BYD nowadays is getting more and more popular in Malaysia.Yiu just can't stop the trends.
how's much is battery replacement???
Hoping that cold is subsiding, Mr Ped. Get well soon!
That racetrack footage was really special! It's fun to see what these cars can do in extreme conditions.
I like the smaller panel directly in front of the driver. If only the huge centre screen could be removed and put in a slot on the dash or chucked under the seat when I don't want it.
Overall, it's really quite nice, and it looks enjoyable!
Haven't driven but got a good look at one (here in NZ) when went to see the Abarth 500e launch, as dealer does BYD, GWM and Stellantis brands. Was impressed with the Seal quality, makes Tesla Model 3 look shoddy. At nz$63,000-83,000 somewhat of a value contrast with the Abarth 500e (nz$74,000) too!
such a great car & looks great too. high on my first EV list.
Good choice!
A stunning fact about this car is that in its homeland China this very same car starts at 23 thousand pounds! The additional price when it hits our shores is shipping but he bulk of it is import duty imposed by our government. A sobering fact. That's why legacy manufacturers are so afraid of the Chinese car makers- on a level playing field these cars would destroy them...
Yea, I might consider one for Chinese money. An entry level Tesla Model 3 is around £27k over there.
@@michaelbooth6007 Dems the difference and the taxes!
I've heard you can change the way the ventilation air comes in, but you can't actually just simply close the separate vents the usual way....Is that correct?
I'm not altogether certain about the battery arrangement. How long, and at what cost , will it takes to remove the battery if it needs 'servicing' for any reason? Or even at a very high mileage exchange.
I feel that a separate battery pack , as on the LEAF has advantages. (Workshop time for a battery swap is 2.5 hours)
These new battery technologies will outlast the car. Although I can see insurance companies writing off the car in a heartbeat in an accident.
ruclips.net/video/n2J0BVxt-rg/видео.html
I'm most excited about the xiaomi su7! Looks really cool
IS COOL from what ive been seeing! also supposedly 20K cheaper than the Seal!!!!?? Also the Yangwang U8!!!!! theres a ton of cool cars all of a sudden from China!???
ruclips.net/video/FefBNdh0MIw/видео.html
In terms of the screen & A/C. Voice control does it for you.
Good video as always Pete. Was it strange driving on the track with no engine or artificial interior sound?
Not really. You here lots of different stuff 😂
BYD is an established maker, their the 2nd largest EV manufacturer in the world.
Not the 2nd, they beat Elon's Tesla long ago with their EV + PHEV sales.
number one currently.
BYD beat Tesla in Q4 2023 on BEV sales, however, Tesla have pulled ahead, probably because of the new Model 3 Highland. That’s not to underestimate BYD. Their goal is to be bigger than Toyota by 2030.
We get hud in oz also. Its also $60,000 aust for the premium or 31,000 pounds. Its a no brainer here ....
I wonder what cell to body means for ease and costs of repair
It is still held in with bolts, no problem.
@@RB30ZED and the cost of a cell to body component? Sounds like specialist part - specialist prices?
Every battery is a specialist part. But BYD manufactures their own batteries for their own cars. BYD they are the only company in the world to do this. This keeps prices down, at least in countries that don't add high duties on Chinese cars. @@piglet5287
Hello mate, now this is a car that has really pricked my ears up this last 3 months.
It’s really good 👍
Looks like a real competitor to a Tesla.. Very nice
I enjoyed watching the Video. One of my favourite New Car Brands to launch In the UK and the Seal Is my favourite BYD Model 😊
Never mind
Thanks for sharing!
Great and informative review. Does it include a heat pump and adaptive suspension? But does look like good value.
Great review. Pity we will not see BYD here in the US. I would think it would give Tesla a run for its money.
Is that Ruby roadster in the background do you have an update ?
Yes and yes 👍
Good money compared to a Tesla Model 3? Rear wheel drive Model 3 is £40k so £5k cheaper than the RWD BYD Seal.
Sticks are on the correct side for is in Auzz. Nice car
Very interesting, the range getting close to what I prefer. Get "weller" soon. Cheers from the antipodes.
Bring Your Dreams Seal looks an impressive car, sadly not sure if/when it will make it to the US.
Evening all! Hope everyone is doing well and have a great week.
Looks like a cool car design wise… just noticing the panel gap on the front left quarter is a bit hideous… is that a play of the light or is it really that bad?
That big vertical screen looks like it could partially block the driver's view of the road.
Cheers mate
BYD reveals shocking effect of huge discounts with historic sales in March
The Electric Viking
Beautiful backdrop...english country yard..that's what I'm more interested in & of course with the car..
Glad you enjoyed it
Does it have a heater, demister, de ice?
Of course. It has doors and windows too. And wheels.
No it has a 55 inch TV nailed to the dashboard though 😂
The front end, is sort of Manga meets Star Wars stormtrooper. Not really bad but prefer the uncluttered Tesla front ends.
Did I see a button on the right stalk, to switch off the LKA? Instead of having to go through multiple menus. I don’t like LKA or LFA, as the systems take no account of road surface. So you’re trying to avoid the potholes or the dead badger. While the vehicle thinks you’re sleepy or driving dangerously.
Now I heard that they are changing the stalks around ref. wipers/indicators at some point in production for Europe...
They are. This was a preproduction model 👍
@@PetrolPedGlad I'm not going mad lol 😅
It’s a lot of car for the money for sure. And with regards to the ‘pay more for less’ arguments some folks occasionally level against EVs (in terms of range I mean), well that’s nothing new. My M340i does 400 miles tops to a tank. A 320d does at least 550…
Still not my cup of tea but as with MGs of today, it will appeal to those for whom the VFM proposition is front and centre.
My Tesla model y performance gets more miles than that and I drive it hard. I do like the styling, it's obvious they have taken inspiration from other cars, both inside and out. BYD are trying hard to take get a large chunk of the market share so they are making almost no profit on these cars
Would you pick it over a Polestar 2?
Been a while since I drive a Polestar 😬
BYD use third party UK Dealer networks and are primarily looking at fleet car sales as usual regarding electric cars, it’s the unlikely way they can attract high sales. However the incentives the Government were providing are not there now and fleet management companies are now thinking twice about recommending electric cars to company’s as a whole. Company car drivers will be in line for benefit in kind taxes now if they decide to specify an electric car so company car drivers will be thinking twice about electric cars as they have already experienced the poor public charging network unless they have used a Tesla to which case the Tesla network is far superior to the 14 or so private charging companies that make up the UK charging network.
If we can get these cars at the prices close to other countries or in China, these will be the bargain of the century but as usual we get shafted in the Uk on car prices regardless where they come from.
so these Seals are making they way down to the sub 1Mil channels as well ... interesting
Great and honest review, indeed!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
I wish I can get one in USA. 🙂
The American "Free market" doesn't like competition.
Interesting review,thanks.I didn't know much about BYD.Saw my first one in Majorca last week.
Glad I could help
My wife has a Jaguar I Pace I had serious reservations but it’s a great car.
Charging is easy and it’s fast…. Like rapid fast.
Not an EV guy myself I love my dirty diesel but she’s happy with it and that’s all that matters
I hope they have it in the US. Same price level i will take this over a Model 3 in a heartbeat
US is walling itself up from the rest of the non western world. From phones to EVs..Unfortunately this is the era of Americans just looking at the new tech from East racing by.