New Tesla Model 3 v BYD Seal: Ultimate review!
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Published 2024-01-15
BYD hit the headlines recently as it overtook Tesla for the most electric cars sold in Q4 2023. The question is, which of these EV manufacturers makes the best electric saloon - Tesla with the Model 3, or BYD with the Seal?
Well for starters, let’s check out the design. This may be the new Tesla Model 3, but it hasn’t changed a whole lot since the previous edition. There’s a new front & rear bumper, along with a few minor design tweaks, but otherwise, the car looks pretty similar at the front and the rear. Along the side, the car is pretty much identical, apart from a set of new alloy wheel designs!
The BYD is also pretty tidy, although we are getting a few Tesla vibes from the design. Creases along the side help it stand out, and there are some pretty smart fins at the bottom of the rear doors. Otherwise, though, both cars are fairly similar when it comes to their look and design.
Take a step inside, and you’ll find more of the same! Both cars come with a huge 15-inch screen stuck to the middle of the dash, and these are used to control pretty much all the features in either car! However, there are a few features that differentiate the BYD from the Tesla. Not only does it have a normal drive mode selector, but it also comes with traditional indicator stalks! In the Tesla, you have to select drive mode through the screen, and you need to indicate with buttons on the steering wheel.
The BYD is also the only car out of the two to come with both a digital dial and a heads-up display. Everything in the Tesla is housed in the infotainment screen.
When it comes to the price, the two are once again pretty evenly matched. The single motor editions of the Tesla and BYD start at around £40,000 and £45,000 respectively, but when you look at the dual motor editions, expect to spend around £50,000 for the Tesla, and just under £49,000 for the BYD!
So will the Tesla reign supreme? Or will Mat prefer the BYD? You’ll need to watch the video to find out for yourself!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:33 Price
01:03 Design
04:37 Drag Race
06:11 Interior
10:31 Sat Nav
12:16 Tesla Autopilot
13:10 Parking
16:57 Back Seats
19:06 Boot
21:22 Charging & Batteries
21:56 Range
23:46 Driving: Model 3
26:47 Driving: BYD Seal
31:59 Verdict
All Comments (21)
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It’s a tough call, but ultimately I’d choose the Fiat Multipla
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6:50 reverse gear on the touchscreen is absolutely insane. Who the hell thought that would be a good idea.
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BYD seal just launch in Malaysia, the Premium version ( extended range ) is even cheaper than Tesla Model 3 standard version. And comes with 19 inch rim as standard. And BYD seam more of a complete car than Tesla model 3. I just not use to no stalk at all for Tesla.
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17:58 the BYD Seal is also available with a light blue interior for free, whereas the white interior on the Tesla is a €1200 option...
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Who at Tesla thought swiping screen to change gear was a brilliant idea
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The BYD seal costs < 30k pounds in China. The single motor version costs about 24k pounds, taxes and fees included. Ultimately I think the EVs in EU are still not that affordable.
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The BYD designer is Wolfgang Egger. Take up any design plagiarism complaints with him.
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Tesla should learn a bit from the Chinese BYD. Greater design, pretty nicer looking interior, and buttons that just make sense and are needed. A BYD seal with Tesla level systems would be a huge hit
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as a cartel hitman that is interested in being eco friendly I really appreciate you showing how many bodies can fit in the new BYD trunk. Thank you!
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The seal here in Aus is considerably cheaper than the 3
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I’m really impressed with that BYD.
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I hate the trend of exchanging physical controls for touch screens or gestures or something. And I will resist it as best I can.
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Ummm, when he was doing the test drive and he said the Tesla handled better, but when he was driving the Tesla, the road was dry and when he was driving the BYD it was raining and wet. How can you compare?
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As an Indonesian, I think I would choose BYD over Tesla, you can buy BYD Seal here half the price of the basic Tesla model 3. Tesla infrastructure and support is still considered too remote to beat other competitors like Hyundai or Wuling in terms of infrastructure and support (in fact, almost all electric cars I've seen is Hyundai or Wuling because it is cheap especially Wuling here smashed the electric car market). Tesla is still considered as a luxury car though.
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I have Tesla model3 2023. I have been driving since 35 years and the most thing I hate is driving but driving Tesla is absolutely different experience. I enjoy it every single time I drive and I get excited every time I drive it. I hate it when my wife take the Tesla and leave our combustion car for me as I feel forced to drive it. It no fun. Honestly, Tesla is a solid , reliable , and smooth car, and the fullself driving is insanely accurate and fun.
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I understand Tesla wants simplicity. But a heads up display would be a great option to offer.
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The exterior design of Seal is designed by JuanMa Lopez from Lamborghini and the interior is designed by Michele Paganetti from Mercedes Maybach 🎉
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I’m really impressed with that BYD. As an American I would’ve never considered purchasing a Chinese vehicle before now but assuming we’re not at war with China in 5 years time I could definitely see adding them to my list of EV options. Even over Tesla.
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Bro the new tesla model 3 was designed and factory tested in the Shanghai. The batteries for the tesla model 3 are made by BYD or CATL.
