Skip advert
Advertisement

BYD Seal in line for interior and tech updates just a year after launch

The all-electric Seal could use the latest semi-autonomous driving assistance tech from BYD

New updated BYD Seal - exterior front static

BYD may have only just launched the BYD Seal last year, but the Chinese firm is about to bring a selection of tweaks to the executive EV to help it take on the recently-updated Tesla Model 3

First off, don’t go looking for any massive changes on the exterior. As seen on the Chinese-market BYD Seal we’ll get the same ‘marine aesthetic design language’ as before, but there might be a new BYD badge in red on the bootlid and additional colours - including a new ‘Sky Purple’. 

The most significant change on the exterior is a new bulge on the roof. Despite BYD’s recent agreement to provide 100,000 cars to Uber, the roof dome isn’t a taxi sign - it’s actually home to BYD’s LiDAR system. The sensor is built in-house by BYD and should make the Seal capable of hands-free driving. The introduction of the Seal’s new LiDAR system comes at a time when Tesla’s anticipated autonomous Robotaxi reveal was delayed until October. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Chinese market BYD Seal also features a smaller battery than the outgoing model. Still based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 architecture, just like the upcoming Sea Lion 07, the updated Seal will get an 80.6kWh pack instead of the current car’s 82.5kWh unit. A range figure is only given based on China’s more lenient CTLC tests at this stage, so we’ll have to wait and see if the Seal’s current 354-mile range on the WLTP tests will be reduced by the smaller battery. The Chinese market also gets an even smaller 61.4kWh battery version, but it’s not known if we’ll get this in the UK. 

Inside the new Seal we can see a revised steering wheel and there’s a new centre console - although the layout of the gear selector and main buttons remains the same. The main 15.6-inch touchscreen looks unchanged as does the driver’s display, but there’s a new piece of trim that runs the full width of the dash behind it.

New updated BYD Seal - interior

The BYD Seal kicks off at £45,695 here in single-motor, rear-wheel drive form while the dual-motor, all-wheel drive Excellence costs £48,695. We don’t expect too much change in terms of pricing, especially given that the refreshed Tesla Model 3 in its cheapest guise undercuts the Seal by over £5,000.

Would you consider a BYD over a Tesla? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Most aerodynamic cars: the sleek, slippery new cars with the lowest drag
Most aerodynamic cars - header

Most aerodynamic cars: the sleek, slippery new cars with the lowest drag

Car efficiency is right in the spotlight but there’s more to achieving it than a high-tech powertrain. Good-old aerodynamics are also key, with some c…
Best cars & vans
5 Apr 2025
Best Chinese cars 2025: the top options to consider for UK buyers
Best Chinese cars - header

Best Chinese cars 2025: the top options to consider for UK buyers

The Chinese have arrived in force on the UK car market and these are the current best of the breed
Best cars & vans
18 Feb 2025
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025
Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead
Tesla Model 3 alternatives - header image

Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead

Bored of seeing Tesla Model 3s everywhere? Sickened by Elon Musk’s antics? Here are the best new and used EV alternatives
Best cars & vans
28 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025