Normally I’m not a fan of the middle-child, but I think (just like Goldilocks), when it comes to the Seal, BYD have nailed it with the ‘Premium’ model. It has a big battery with plenty of range, tons of refinement and more than ample pep – it’s priced attractively too.
The BYD Seal is not just your average sporty sedan; it signifies a leap forward for the brand, with its captivating silhouette, a more refined and less polarising interior than the Atto 3, and an exhilarating driving experience, in short, the Seal is designed to impress.
In New Zealand, the Seal lineup includes three distinct variants: Dynamic, Premium, and Performance. The Dynamic is the base spec (which in many ways is enough), however, while I had the opportunity to previously test the Performance model, BYD NZ felt that the Premium option deserved special attention for its balanced blend of performance and luxury. They weren’t wrong.
The Dynamic comes equipped with a 61kWh blade battery, offering a commendable 460km range, while both the Premium and Performance models feature an 82kWh battery, delivering an impressive range of 570km and 520km, respectively. The main difference between the two P’s is the additional motor in the Performance, meaning more power 390kW/670Nm and a thrilling 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds. But, and it is a BIG BUT, the Premium model is no slouch, with a rear-wheel motor that delivers 230kW/360Nm and a ‘hot hatch’ 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds, and all without sacrificing comfort.
As with the other models, the traditional four-door sedan shape has been accentuated with bold character lines. The sculpted nose, complete with enhanced front wings (that remind me of a Porsche 911 from the driver’s seat), exudes sophistication. While the sleek ‘double U-shaped’ LED headlights and distinctive daytime running lights (DRLs) enhance its visual appeal.
From the side, you’ll notice thoughtfully designed accents such as additional wing and sill garnish, stylish 19-inch wheels (larger than the Dynamic), and retractable door handles that add a touch of elegance. The rear showcases a modern ‘Dot Matrix’ light bar, a spacious 400L boot and an electric bootlid. There are 5 body colours available, but my review model came in ‘Aurora White’ finish, in fairness, I’d have gone for something a little less plain.
Step inside, and the Premium model elevates the driving experience to new heights. As with the top of the line Performance model, the Premium interior boasts sumptuous leather seats, high-quality tactile materials, and cutting-edge technology. A standout feature is the versatile 15.6-inch infotainment screen, which rotates to your preference (landscape or portrait) enhancing usability. The Premium trim also offers a full length panoramic roof, a rich 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system and two wireless phone charging stations, ensuring that both driver and passengers enjoy a first-class experience. All that’s missing is a heated steering wheel.
Already boasting an ‘on paper’ range of 570km, when I picked up the ‘Premium Seal’ the screen displayed a 99% range of 622km, talk about eliminating any concerns about range anxiety – even with my less efficient driving style.
One aspect that truly stood out was how instinctively familiar the Seal felt. From the comfortable seating to optimal visibility and streamlined gear knob (albeit not a traditional gearing mechanism), the driving experience felt seamless.
The 10.25-inch LCD driver’s screen provides all the essential information, including speed and the previously mentioned available range, keeping things refreshingly straightforward, anything else I needed (including setting up regen braking levels) was available on the big screen.
Measuring 4.8m in length, 1.88m in width, and 1.46m in height, the Seal effortlessly manoeuvred through urban environments, offering ample room for four adults on long road trips. The cabin is impressively quiet, thanks to its aerodynamic design and a drag coefficient of just 0.219, contributing to a serene journey. There is a little wind noise on the highway, but nothing the Dynaudio stereo couldn’t mask.
For enthusiasts of one-pedal driving, the Seal lacks this feature, but as mentioned, it offers adjustable battery regeneration levels via the infotainment system. This allows the sedan to decelerate adequately without needing to engage the accelerator excessively.
Now, let’s talk performance. The Premium model delivers sharp, instant torque, providing acceleration that would ‘drag’ test a Golf. It handles corners with admirable agility, thanks to its low centre of gravity and well-tuned suspension. While the traction control performs admirably, the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) may offer unsolicited reminders ‘to rein it in’ when you push the boundaries a little too eagerly. It has been improved since my last drive though offering more gentle dings and less shouty..
During my week with the BYD Seal, I primarily indulged in Sport mode, much to the delight of those who ventured inside(or maybe that’s just in my mind). The fit and finish was impressive with more tech than you can shake a stick at. What’s more, despite using it for chores and more enthusiastic drives, I returned the sedan with over 400km of range left to play with – maybe I should have used the ‘vehicle to load’ system and powered the house! It really is the ideal Seal.
