autoX Awards 2024: BYD Seal Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2024: During the first drive event for the BYD Seal back in April, one aspect stood out immediately – its visual appeal. The Seal is so striking, in fact, that even with the likes of the Ferrari Roma and Aston Martin DB12 present, it still managed to capture the attention of all the jury members at this year’s awards – a testament to the brilliance of its design. Credit is certainly due to the designers who crafted this masterpiece. I’ve always believed that if you’re spending over ₹50 lakh on an EV, it should be as much a treat for the eyes as it is a practical investment. With its stellar first impression made, it’s time to dive into the other equally exciting aspects of the BYD Seal – its features and performance.

Step inside, and you’re immediately drawn to the massive 15.6-inch infotainment system. It can be rotated vertically via a button on the screen or the steering wheel, enhancing usability by aligning apps vertically – a true party trick. However, there are a few drawbacks; the system only supports wired Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto is wireless. Additionally, during aggressive timed laps, we found the screen tends to rotate on its own accord, which was quite distracting. Other notable features include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dual wireless fast chargers, height-adjustable cup holders, and a large panoramic sunroof.

Also Read: BYD Seal First Drive Review: Fun, Feature-Loaded And Affordable! Too Good to be True?

Our review model was the top-of-the-line AWD version equipped with an 82.56kWh battery pack. It delivers an impressive 522bhp and 650Nm of peak torque, offering a claimed range of 580km and a remarkable 0 – 100km/h sprint time of just 3.8 seconds.

In short, the BYD Seal’s performance can be summed up as fast, fun, and exceptionally smooth in terms of throttle transitions. Even in Sport mode, the Seal maintained a gentle, controlled demeanour during the test, making it our preferred setting – whether pushing for timed runs or casually moving around the pits. The Seal’s overall performance is best described as enjoyable, adaptable, and tractable. It responded to nearly every request with enthusiasm while maintaining a composed and unrushed character.

In the handling department, it doesn’t disappoint either. The steering is light and precise, albeit it does feel slightly artificial. It changes direction well and offers great feedback, too. The suspension, meanwhile, feels pliant and comfortable but tends to get a little tail-happy during more spirited driving. The chassis is super communicative, and despite its 2.2 tonnes of weight, the Seal is enjoyable to drive, even on a racetrack. Plus, there’s no dearth of performance either. And thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution, intelligent torque control, and sharp brake response, the Seal managed post a scorching lap time.

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