BYD’s commanding 82% share of the Philippine NEV market in 2024 leaves no doubt: they’re leading the country’s EV revolution. While the Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid and Atto 3 compact electric SUV are already familiar sights, a (relative) newcomer is ready to turn heads.
The BYD Seal, unveiled at the 12th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in October 2024, is a sleek, high-performance electric sedan that combines cutting-edge technology with head-turning style and exhilarating driving dynamics.
If you’re in the market for an EV that delivers thrilling acceleration without compromising comfort, this might just be your perfect match.
Sleek and sporty
The BYD Seal looks fast even when standing still, thanks to its sleek fastback silhouette. That sporty profile is accentuated by striking double U-shaped headlights, bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights, and a distinctive full-width dot matrix LED taillight design. The 19-inch alloy wheels, shod with Continental tires, fill the arches perfectly and add to the car’s dynamic stance.
The Seal somehow manages to pull off a modern, aerodynamic, handsome, and sporty look all at once. While the color palette is limited to Arctic Blue (like our review unit), Atlantis Gray, Cosmos Black, and Aurora White, these options feel well-chosen and perfectly suited to the car’s character.
Power and thrills
If speed is what you’re after, the BYD Seal doesn’t disappoint. With a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 521hp and 670Nm of torque, this EV launches from 0 to 100kph in just 3.8 seconds. Floor the accelerator and prepare for your head to snap back against the headrest—we’re not kidding.
The Seal offers three driving modes. Whether you’re navigating the city streets and prioritizing efficiency in Eco mode, enjoying a balanced ride in Normal, or unleashing the car’s full potential in Sport mode on the open highway, you can tailor the Seal’s behavior to your mood and driving conditions.
This Performance variant comes with all-wheel drive, giving you solid traction and control so you’ll feel confident driving in any road condition. (If you go for the Advanced variant, that one’s rear-wheel drive.)
The BYD Seal isn’t just about speed, though—it’s got comfort covered as well. The suspension soaks up road imperfections quite well, so you and your passengers have a smooth and stable ride even on less-than-perfect surfaces. And thanks to double-laminated glass and the naturally quiet electric powertrain, the cabin stays whisper-quiet.
Premium cabin experience
Speaking of the cabin, the interior feels every bit as premium as the car’s sleek exterior suggests.
The seats are wrapped in soft leather, with the supportive, well-bolstered driver and front passenger seats offering heating, ventilation, and electronic adjustments.
As for the rear seats, they’re spacious enough for three adults, though the swooping roofline does eat into headroom a bit. The sloping design and smaller rear windows also make over-the-shoulder visibility a challenge, especially when checking blind spots or parking. Luckily, the front and rear parking sensors and 360-degree camera are there to lend a hand.
A panoramic glass roof adds to the airy feel of the cabin, while dual-zone automatic climate control with air purifiers and particulate filters and rear AC vents keep passengers comfortably cool.
There’s also a massive 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, dual 15W wireless chargers, USB charging ports, and a fantastic-sounding 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system.
That said, the heavy reliance on touch controls can be a bit frustrating while driving—a few more physical buttons would’ve made things much easier.
With a 400-liter trunk, the BYD Seal’s cargo space is decent but not particularly generous. It does offer a 50-liter front trunk (frunk), which provides extra storage for smaller items like a backpack, charging cables, or even groceries.
Safety, smart assistance, and range
The BYD Seal is packed with advanced driver assistance systems (DiPilot) that add to your peace of mind. It offers a suite of smart features, including a 360-degree view monitor, so you can see everything around you when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. Adaptive cruise control keeps a safe distance from the car ahead, while automatic emergency braking helps prevent collisions.
Other helpful features include lane-keeping and lane-change assist, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear cross-traffic alerts and braking.
Now, one of the biggest concerns for prospective EV owners is range—but the BYD Seal has that covered. Its 82.6kWh Blade battery offers an impressive 580km on a single charge, meaning you can take long drives or weekend road trips without constantly worrying about where to charge up next. And when you do need a top-up, the 150kW fast-charging capability gets you from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
The Seal also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, which essentially turns the car into a mobile power bank. Whether you’re on a camping trip and need to power a small fridge or some lighting, or simply want to charge your laptop while on the go, the Seal’s battery can handle it.
Speed says
The BYD Seal impresses with a compelling mix of speed, comfort, and technology. Its striking design, thrilling performance, and impressive range position it as a serious contender in the EV market. While the infotainment system could be more intuitive and rear visibility is somewhat limited, these are minor flaws in an otherwise exceptional vehicle.
The BYD Seal is priced at P2,548,000. It’s backed by a comprehensive warranty, including 8 years/160,000km for the BYD Blade Battery, 8 years/150,000km for the drive unit, and 6 years/150,000km for the vehicle itself.
