BYD Seal EV – RHD version seen testing in Thailand

BYD Seal camouflaged in Thailand, and on display at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show

Chinese-market pricing for the Seal begins from the equivalent of RM210k, while the Long Range RWD variant of this four-door coupé-type sedan with 700 km of battery range is pegged at the equivalent of RM259k. In China, that starting point of the Seal range is the RWD Elite, which employs a 201 hp motor on the rear wheels and draws power from a 61.4 kWh Blade battery, offering 550 km of range on the Chinese CLTC testing standard.

On the next rung up is the Long Range RWD, which, in addition to a larger 82.5 kWh battery for 800 km of range, also gets a more powerful 308 hp motor to offer a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds. Topping the Seal range is the Long Range AWD Performance, packing two motors for a combined 523 hp and a resulting 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. This top variant manages up to 650 km of range.

Given its pricing in China, the BYD Seal appears well positioned to be priced around the RM300k mark, and even if it ends up priced slightly more than that, it would still be among the most affordable of the long-range EVs to go on sale in Malaysia.

While the Seal is often named as a rival to the Tesla Model 3, another comparable car that is already on sale in Malaysia through official channels is the BMW i4 that is priced at RM389,800 with BMW Malaysia’s extended warranty and servicing, while the high-performance M50 variant is priced at RM430,800. Up against these rivals, how do you think the BYD Seal stacks up?

GALLERY: BYD Seal EV at BIMS 2023