Photo of a BYD Seal

BYD Seal

Blade battery in its bones; Performance AWD does 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 25 sources

At a glance

0300600
201–523 hpPower
0510
3.8–7.6 s0–100 km/h
0100200
180 km/hTop speed
0400800
310–670 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,885–2,185 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.313

Engine
1 or 2 electric motors; 61.44–82.56 kWh Blade LFP batteries313
Layout
Rear-motor RWD or dual-motor AWD3
Gearbox
Single-speed automatic17
Built at
BYD plants in Changzhou and Xi'an, China3

The story

BYD's second Ocean-series car takes on the Tesla Model 3 with ocean-inspired styling and e-Platform 3.0. It introduced BYD's Cell-to-Body construction, making the Blade battery structural; drag is 0.219 Cd.1345

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones345
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2021BYD Ocean-X concept
2022–presentBYD Seal (EK)
2022China launch: 60,000-plus pre-orders
2023Champion Edition adds a fifth version
2023European rollout begins in September
2023Five Euro NCAP stars for Design RWD
2024Honor Edition cuts entry to RMB 179,800
2024China's 2025 Seal moves to 800 volts
2025Australia gets DiSus-C damping
2025God's Eye reaches the Seal
2026UK MY2026: 485-liter trunk
  1. 2022

    China launch: 60,000-plus pre-orders

    Changzhou production begins; after 22,637 orders in seven hours, four versions launch on July 29 from RMB 209,800 after subsidy. Deliveries start in August.6

  2. 2023

    Champion Edition adds a fifth version

    China gets five variants, including a cheaper 700 km CLTC rear-drive model; the entry price falls to RMB 189,800.37

  3. 2023

    European rollout begins in September

    Europe gets Design RWD (570 km WLTP) and Excellence-AWD (520 km), both with 82.5 kWh Blade LFP batteries and 11 kW AC/150 kW DC charging.35

  4. 2023

    Five Euro NCAP stars for Design RWD

    89% adult, 87% child, 82% vulnerable road users, 76% safety assist. Child detection gets no credit; window operating time after power loss in water wasn't demonstrated.389

  5. 2024

    Honor Edition cuts entry to RMB 179,800

    The March 25 update offers five trims and four power choices, with iTAC torque control and double-wishbone front/five-link rear suspension in the range.310

  6. 2024

    China's 2025 Seal moves to 800 volts

    e-Platform 3.0 Evo brings 61.44/80.64 kWh Blade LFP packs as LiDAR joins the range; claimed 10–80% charging drops from 37 to 25 minutes.1112

  7. 2025

    Australia gets DiSus-C damping

    MY2025 adds a powered roof shade and Digital Key. Performance gains DiSus-C adaptive dampers; Premium gains Frequency Selective Damping as prices fall.13

  8. 2025

    God's Eye reaches the Seal

    On February 10, the Smart Driving Edition adds God's Eye assistance without a price increase, keeping the Seal at RMB 175,800–239,800.14

  9. 2026

    UK MY2026: 485-liter trunk

    UK MY2026 adds a 72-liter front compartment, fixed 15.6-inch screen and driver-monitoring camera; battery and motors carry over.1516

Every generation

Power over the years

From 201 hp to 523 hp in 0 years.

0200400600 20222024 hp 2022 · 201 hp · China: Elite RWD2022 · 308 hp · China: long-range RWD2022 · 523 hp · China: 4WD Performance2023 · 228 hp · Champion: new 700 km RWD2023 · 308 hp · Europe: Design RWD2023 · 523 hp · Europe: Excellence-AWD 523 hp China: 4WD Performance 201 hp China: Elite RWD
3567
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2022201China: Elite RWD
2022308China: long-range RWD
2022523China: 4WD Performance
2023228Champion: new 700 km RWD
2023308Europe: Design RWD
2023523Europe: Excellence-AWD

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Design RWD (Europe)

    Standard

    Design RWD (Europe)

    308 hp
  • Standard

    Premium Extended Range (Australia)

    308 hp
  • Standard

    Champion Edition (China)

    2023

  • Standard

    700 km Prestige (China)

    2023–2026

    228 hp
  • Standard

    Honor Edition

    2024

  • Standard

    2025 Seal EV (China)

    2025

  • Standard

    Smart Driving Edition

    2025

  • Standard

    MY2025 range (Australia)

    2025

  • Standard

    MY2026 Design / Excellence (UK)

    2026

How to spot one

Look for

  • Double-U headlights combine ripple-like lighting with whisker-pattern daytime lights.20
  • Low nose, rounded roof and fastback tail ending in a small upturned ducktail.5
  • Full-width rear light bar with droplet-pattern lamp details.2
  • Door handles sit flush with the body when the car is moving.5
  • European exports omit the long Build Your Dreams lettering across the rear.19

Year by year

  1. 2023 (Europe)

    European cars drop the rear Build Your Dreams script; the Excellence still wears a 3.8s acceleration badge.19

  2. 2025 model year (China)

    China's refresh gains new wheels and a red rear BYD emblem; roof LiDAR identifies the upper two trims.1112

  3. 2025 model year (China)

    Cabin swaps to a flat-bottom four-spoke wheel and minimalist black dash; center vents move from beside the screen to below it.1112

  4. 2025 (Australia)

    Powered roof sunshade arrives; Arctic Blue is dropped and Shark Grey becomes available on Premium.13

  5. 2026 (UK)

    New 19-inch wheels; BYD badge moves above the rear light bar and SEAL script to the lower-right trunk corner.15

  6. 2026 (UK)

    Center screen is fixed; BYD stitching disappears from headrests and the NFC logo vanishes from the center armrest.15

Don’t confuse it with

  • BYD Seal U

    Seal U has an SUV body; the electric Seal is a low sedan with a sloping fastback tail.35

  • BYD Seal 06 DM-i / Seal 07 DM-i

    Both are hybrids; the Seal 07 DM-i has a longer 4,980 mm body, versus 4,800 mm for the electric Seal.312

  • Hyundai Ioniq 6

    Front ends look similar; check for the Seal's whisker-pattern daytime lights and droplet-pattern rear lamps.21920

Against its rivals

  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range

    Seal vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range

    Test efficiency

    Seal3 mi/kWh
    Tesla Model 3 Long Range3.8 mi/kWh
    21
  • BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport

    Seal vs BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport

    Price lower is better

    Seal48,695 £
    BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport52,255 £
    21
  • Seal vs Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate AWD

    Claimed 0–100 km/h lower is better

    Seal3.8 s
    Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate AWD5.1 s
    21
  • Seal vs Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match

    Claimed 0–100 km/h lower is better

    Seal3.8 s
    Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match6.5 s
    21

Prices

Price when new
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 202220242026 2022 · $31,130 · China Elite, post-subsidy2023 · $27,399 · China Champion base; approx. 2023 FX2024 · $25,068 · China Honor base; approx. 2024 FX2025 · $24,510 · China refreshed EV base2025 · $24,064 · China Smart Driving base; approx. FX 2022 · RMB 209,800 ($31,130) · China base Elite, 2022 (post-subsidy)
36710111214
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2022Launch price$31,130China base Elite, 2022 (post-subsidy)
2022Price when new$31,130China Elite, post-subsidy
2023Price when new$27,399China Champion base; approx. 2023 FX
2024Price when new$25,068China Honor base; approx. 2024 FX
2025Price when new$24,510China refreshed EV base
2025Price when new$24,064China Smart Driving base; approx. FX

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters
  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A wave attack in a mobile racer”
    • “From Alfa Romeo's 8C to the Seal”
  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations
  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. BYD SEAL: Dynamic and Intelligent - BYD UK Media Site bydukmedia.com
  2. 2024 BYD Seal review | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  3. BYD Seal - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. BYD releases first teaser video on Seal model - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  5. BYD SEAL arrives at IAA: Setting the Standard in Breakthrough Technology and Stunning Design - BYD UK Media Site bydukmedia.com
  6. BYD Seal officially launched in China: Starts at $31,130, deliveries to begin in August - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  7. BYD launches revamped Seal with lower prices - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  8. BYD Seal review - long range and impressive cabin | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  9. Euro NCAP | BYD SEAL euroncap.com
  10. BYD Seal BEV model's Honor Edition hits market, starting at 179,800 yuan | Gasgoo autonews.gasgoo.com
  11. BYD Seal facelift gets new interior, faster charging - Autocar India autocarindia.com
  12. BYD launches 2 new models in Seal lineup, starts adopting LiDAR for enhanced driver assistance - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  13. 2025 BYD Seal price and specs | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  14. BYD expedites smart driving era with sweeping updates to 21 models - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  15. BYD launches new model year 2026 SEAL saloon: more practicality, increased customisation and greater specification - BYD UK Media Site bydukmedia.com
  16. Buying a Used BYD Seal (2023 on): Design vs Excellence, the Long Warranty & What to Pay | EVGuide.uk evguide.uk
  17. 2024 BYD Seal First Drive Review: Look Out, Tesla Model 3? motortrend.com
  18. BYD Seal review 2026 - price, interior & range | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. BYD Seal 2023 review | evo evo.co.uk
  20. 《王牌竞速》x比亚迪·海豹 国车联动再献礼 试试有大招的比亚迪! _ 游民星空手游频道 shouyou.gamersky.com
  21. Tesla Model 3 vs its five biggest rivals | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  22. 会員数1500名突破!良いも悪いも本音で語る未来のEVライフ〈BYD OWNERS CLUB JAPAN〉 - THE EV TIMES | ニュースを、ライフへ。EVを、もっと身近で、もっと楽しい存在へ。 ev-times.com
  23. Spot of the Day 10 : Awesome BYD SEAL - ModifiedinThailand modifiedinthailand.com
  24. BYD Seal: Der Tesla-Jäger im ADAC Test adac.de
  25. Value retention improving for some EVs – Wheels Within Wales wheelswithinwales.uk
  • bydukmedia.com
  • carexpert.com.au
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • cnevpost.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • euroncap.com
  • autonews.gasgoo.com
  • autocarindia.com
  • evguide.uk
  • motortrend.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • shouyou.gamersky.com
  • ev-times.com

Photo credits