BYD Seal - impressive
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
The biggest weakness of the BYD Seal is its top 5% lack of refinement compared to a traditional refinement powerhouse like Lexus, and when I say Lexus, I mean its upper-mid and high end range like a GS or LS. What do i mean : like I said before, lack of powered tilt and telescoping steering means no full 100% memory seating. Sitting in front is as quiet as my 2009 GS450h but sitting in the rear, the lack of sound proofing from the single pane rear door windows and rear windshield means the 19 inch wheel road noise is surprising loud, more noticeable than my hybrid GS. Singaporean BYD Seal owners who picked up their cars since Sep have reported initial paint quality defects and other defects with the cameras.
The 2nd biggest weakness is that the official agent in Singapore has an economy brand mindset as the BYD Seal is a luxury car surrounded by bread and butter models under the same marque, thus the agent has not geared up to provide luxury level servicing to a luxury level car. Thus Seal owners have reported having to wait a long time for routine servicing and/or ad-hoc rectification of defects/issues noted.
The biggest strengths of the car is that it provides a seamless transition from an ICE or hybrid car to a full EV. It's interior is really warm and inviting and not sterile looking, looks/feels just like a high end Lexus interior. I just jumped in from my GS into it and had no learning curve in driving it or getting used to it's acceleration/braking and placing it around a curve.
I didn't like the external look of the Tesla so didn't test drive it hence I honestly can't compare the Seal vs Model 3. The BYD Seal is definitely a 3 series, C-class and Lexus IS killer though. The performance of this car destroys an ICE car of the same price bracket.
I would be very interested in a face-lifted version of the Seal with its initial defects ironed out and added-back missing features and when its official agent cleans up its act in terms of after-sales support.
Last edited by natnut; Nov 30, 2023 at 06:33 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Just listened to Elon's entire interview with Andrew Sorkin from yesterday. He doesn't specifically mention BYD, but he says the Chinese companies making EV's are making great cars. He praised the technology and the abilities of the workers. At one point he says "someone recently said the Top 10 EV companies will be Tesla followed by 9 other Chinese companies. And they might not be wrong."
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 1,582
From: FL
Just listened to Elon's entire interview with Andrew Sorkin from yesterday. He doesn't specifically mention BYD, but he says the Chinese companies making EV's are making great cars. He praised the technology and the abilities of the workers. At one point he says "someone recently said the Top 10 EV companies will be Tesla followed by 9 other Chinese companies. And they might not be wrong."
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 40
From: CA
@natnut thanks for sharing your thoughts. Having spent some time in Singapore this past summer, I have a new appreciation to what you all must go through in order to own a car in that country. Those of us in the US would never know or understand how much something like a Honda Fit costs to own there. Too bad about your experience with the Seal. It seems like this is a version 1.0 of a product and you shouldn't consider one until they get to versions 3 or 4.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
BYD started selling the Seal here in Singapore since September. I test drove the AWD version.
If it had powered tilt telescoping steering wheel, had double glazed glass for its rear windows and rear windscreen and didn't have the all glass panoramic sun roof, didn't make prospective customers take insurance, financing and car trade-in in order to qualify for their discounts and if their post-sales servicing was better, I'd be driving an AWD Seal right now as my second car to my 2009 GS450h.
The BYD Seal is the EV car for ICE car owners who still like traditional ICE car interiors/looks/driving experience but want EV acceleration, FC and EV charging over fuel pumps.
If it had powered tilt telescoping steering wheel, had double glazed glass for its rear windows and rear windscreen and didn't have the all glass panoramic sun roof, didn't make prospective customers take insurance, financing and car trade-in in order to qualify for their discounts and if their post-sales servicing was better, I'd be driving an AWD Seal right now as my second car to my 2009 GS450h.
The BYD Seal is the EV car for ICE car owners who still like traditional ICE car interiors/looks/driving experience but want EV acceleration, FC and EV charging over fuel pumps.
Caveat : these are my thoughts after 1 test drive of 20 minutes
The biggest weakness of the BYD Seal is its top 5% lack of refinement compared to a traditional refinement powerhouse like Lexus, and when I say Lexus, I mean its upper-mid and high end range like a GS or LS. What do i mean : like I said before, lack of powered tilt and telescoping steering means no full 100% memory seating. Sitting in front is as quiet as my 2009 GS450h but sitting in the rear, the lack of sound proofing from the single pane rear door windows and rear windshield means the 19 inch wheel road noise is surprising loud, more noticeable than my hybrid GS. Singaporean BYD Seal owners who picked up their cars since Sep have reported initial paint quality defects and other defects with the cameras.
The 2nd biggest weakness is that the official agent in Singapore has an economy brand mindset as the BYD Seal is a luxury car surrounded by bread and butter models under the same marque, thus the agent has not geared up to provide luxury level servicing to a luxury level car. Thus Seal owners have reported having to wait a long time for routine servicing and/or ad-hoc rectification of defects/issues noted.
The biggest strengths of the car is that it provides a seamless transition from an ICE or hybrid car to a full EV. It's interior is really warm and inviting and not sterile looking, looks/feels just like a high end Lexus interior. I just jumped in from my GS into it and had no learning curve in driving it or getting used to it's acceleration/braking and placing it around a curve.
I didn't like the external look of the Tesla so didn't test drive it hence I honestly can't compare the Seal vs Model 3. The BYD Seal is definitely a 3 series, C-class and Lexus IS killer though. The performance of this car destroys an ICE car of the same price bracket.
I would be very interested in a face-lifted version of the Seal with its initial defects ironed out and added-back missing features and when its official agent cleans up its act in terms of after-sales support.
The biggest weakness of the BYD Seal is its top 5% lack of refinement compared to a traditional refinement powerhouse like Lexus, and when I say Lexus, I mean its upper-mid and high end range like a GS or LS. What do i mean : like I said before, lack of powered tilt and telescoping steering means no full 100% memory seating. Sitting in front is as quiet as my 2009 GS450h but sitting in the rear, the lack of sound proofing from the single pane rear door windows and rear windshield means the 19 inch wheel road noise is surprising loud, more noticeable than my hybrid GS. Singaporean BYD Seal owners who picked up their cars since Sep have reported initial paint quality defects and other defects with the cameras.
The 2nd biggest weakness is that the official agent in Singapore has an economy brand mindset as the BYD Seal is a luxury car surrounded by bread and butter models under the same marque, thus the agent has not geared up to provide luxury level servicing to a luxury level car. Thus Seal owners have reported having to wait a long time for routine servicing and/or ad-hoc rectification of defects/issues noted.
The biggest strengths of the car is that it provides a seamless transition from an ICE or hybrid car to a full EV. It's interior is really warm and inviting and not sterile looking, looks/feels just like a high end Lexus interior. I just jumped in from my GS into it and had no learning curve in driving it or getting used to it's acceleration/braking and placing it around a curve.
I didn't like the external look of the Tesla so didn't test drive it hence I honestly can't compare the Seal vs Model 3. The BYD Seal is definitely a 3 series, C-class and Lexus IS killer though. The performance of this car destroys an ICE car of the same price bracket.
I would be very interested in a face-lifted version of the Seal with its initial defects ironed out and added-back missing features and when its official agent cleans up its act in terms of after-sales support.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
I haven't tested the Tesla M3 but the parts which they mentioned about the Seal are spot on : the Seal feels really car like and analogue despite its EV underpinnings. The ride quality is impressive for its flat cornering and good handling as well. There's hardly any difficulty for an ICE owner to get used to a Seal.
Last edited by natnut; Dec 24, 2023 at 03:53 AM.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,226
Likes: 266
If we all understand that BYD is Chinese upstart that sells 4m vehicles per year, it is actually competition for GMs, Stellantis, Kias and Fords of the world. Not really Tesla, or VW, or premium brands.
They sell hundreds of cars per month in Europe right now, just like Nio and Xpeng, who tried some premium brand thing that does not work.
Once they go down and do what MG did, they will be serious competition for all basic brands above. It will probably take them 4-5 years from now to sell like MG does today.
MG sold around 220k vehicles in Europe this year (outselling Mazda and many smaller brands), and their growth pattern shows something like half million in 3 years from now. It is Chinese brand very similar to BYD, but competes with good price, something like koreans 10 years ago.
So once BYD gets away from trying to be premium brand, which it isnt, it will do well in Europe. Probably by that time, their vehicles will have input from local teams, so no light steering, no constant beeping, faster charging speeds, etc, etc.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,656
Likes: 3,748
From: California
None.
If we all understand that BYD is Chinese upstart that sells 4m vehicles per year, it is actually competition for GMs, Stellantis, Kias and Fords of the world. Not really Tesla, or VW, or premium brands.
They sell hundreds of cars per month in Europe right now, just like Nio and Xpeng, who tried some premium brand thing that does not work.
Once they go down and do what MG did, they will be serious competition for all basic brands above. It will probably take them 4-5 years from now to sell like MG does today.
MG sold around 220k vehicles in Europe this year (outselling Mazda and many smaller brands), and their growth pattern shows something like half million in 3 years from now. It is Chinese brand very similar to BYD, but competes with good price, something like koreans 10 years ago.
So once BYD gets away from trying to be premium brand, which it isnt, it will do well in Europe. Probably by that time, their vehicles will have input from local teams, so no light steering, no constant beeping, faster charging speeds, etc, etc.
If we all understand that BYD is Chinese upstart that sells 4m vehicles per year, it is actually competition for GMs, Stellantis, Kias and Fords of the world. Not really Tesla, or VW, or premium brands.
They sell hundreds of cars per month in Europe right now, just like Nio and Xpeng, who tried some premium brand thing that does not work.
Once they go down and do what MG did, they will be serious competition for all basic brands above. It will probably take them 4-5 years from now to sell like MG does today.
MG sold around 220k vehicles in Europe this year (outselling Mazda and many smaller brands), and their growth pattern shows something like half million in 3 years from now. It is Chinese brand very similar to BYD, but competes with good price, something like koreans 10 years ago.
So once BYD gets away from trying to be premium brand, which it isnt, it will do well in Europe. Probably by that time, their vehicles will have input from local teams, so no light steering, no constant beeping, faster charging speeds, etc, etc.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DshngDaryl
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
30
Aug 25, 2023 11:20 PM