BYD Seal
Segment: Budget-friendly urban car
Segment: Premium performance sedan
Estimated Price: $42,000 β $65,000 CAD
New car competitors:Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2
What if you want more? You want to show others that BYD isnβt just about econo-cars. The Seal may be your answer. Itβs specced like the Tesla Model 3 yet with a significantly reduced price.
| Specification(*: approx) | Dynamic (RWD) | Premium (RWD) | Performance (AWD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 61.4 kWh LFP | 82.5 kWh LFP | 82.5 kWh LFP |
| Range (WLTP) | 460 km | 570 km | 520 km |
| Real-World Range* | 380-400 km | 470-500 km | 430-450 km |
| Motor(s) | 230 kW (308 hp) | 230 kW (308 hp) | 390 kW (523 hp) dual |
| 0-100 km/h* | 5.9 seconds | 5.9 seconds | 3.8 seconds |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 150 kW | Up to 150 kW | Up to 150 kW |
| Est. CAD Price | $42,000-$46,000 | $48,000-$52,000 | $58,000-$65,000 |
BYD Seal RWD vs. Tesla Model 3 RWD
| Metric | BYD Seal Premium RWD | Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Range (WLTP) | 570 km | 513 km |
| 0-100 km/h | 5.9 sec | 6.1 sec |
| Estimated Price | $48,000-$52,000 | $54,990 |
| Driverβs Display | Yes (separate screen) | No |
| V2L Capability | Yes | No |
| Supercharger Access | No | Yes |
Standard features:
- V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability: Acts as a portable power source, allowing electric vehicles to use their battery power to supply electricity to external devices or other vehicles.
- Adaptive cruise control
- 360-degree camera system
- Heat pump (uses the refrigerant system to efficiently manage temperature without significantly draining the vehicleβs battery, extending driving range)
The Blade Battery Advantage
BYDβs proprietary Blade Battery technology (lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack with a distinctive flat-cell design) is used in every BYD vehicle. The technology was tested using the following metrics:
Safety: Some EV batteries have succumb to a fire risk known as thermal runaway. The BYD Blade Battery passed a nail penetration test, showcasing its safety.
Cold tolerance: Many around the world demand reliable winter performance. In some parts of the world, temps can drop to -40 C. BYD claims that LFP chemistry handles temperature extremes better than NMC or NCA alternatives. When paired with BYD’s active thermal management, the Blade Battery seems to instil confidence for more reliable winter performance.
Longevity: BYD claims 3,000+ charge cycles to 80% capacity, which depending on the frequency of charging can last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Daily charging: It is recommended that EV and other rechargeable batteries be charged to 80%, to prevent accelerated degradation. BYD claims that the LFP can be charged to 100% daily, limiting the aforementioned risk.
BYD and public transportation in Canada
BYD and Uber released a joint statement announcing a βpartnership designed to bring 100,000 new BYD electric vehicles onto the Uber platform across key global markets.β The ride-share program would begin in Europe and Latin America, expanding into the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In large format, public transportation, BYD Canada announced that the Toronto Transit Commission aka TTC (Canadaβs largest and North Americaβs third largest transit operator) will put into operation, 10 zero-emission, 40-foot K9M battery-electric buses.
BYD Models offered worldwide*
| Model | Est. Price CAD | Real-world Range | Body Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seagull | $20-25K | 200-280 km | City hatch | Budget urban commuting |
| Dolphin | $32-40K | 280-360 km | Compact hatch | Mainstream daily driver |
| Atto 3 | $36-42K | 290-350 km | Compact SUV | Families, SUV preference |
| Seal | $42-65K | 380-500 km | Sport sedan | Tesla Model 3 cross-shoppers |
| Seal U | $45-55K | 350-420 km | Mid-size SUV | SUV alternative |
| Tang | $65-80K | 450-550 km | 7-seat SUV | Large families, Model X value |
| Han | $55-75K | 380-460 km | Luxury sedan | Executive buyers, Model S value |
