BYD Seal 2025: Faster charging but reduced range

The BYD Seal only arrived in Portugal relatively recently, with the aim of “dethroning” rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and Hyundai IONIQ 6. Yet, on the other side of the world, an updated Seal is already on the roads.

The BYD Seal 2025 has gone on sale in China with additional equipment and technology. Most notably, it gains roof-mounted LiDAR, which is expected to expand the capabilities of the Seal’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). There are several other changes, too.

Faster charging, but reduced range

The major development in the Seal 2025 is the 3.0 Evo platform, which brings a new electrical architecture upgraded from 400 V to 800 V. This enables higher charging rates - currently 150 kW - while cutting charging times. BYD says charging from 10% to 80% now takes 25 minutes, compared with 37 minutes previously.

As for the battery, the Seal 2025 is offered with two packs: 61.4 kWh and 80.6 kWh. If these versions are confirmed for Europe, the larger battery will have almost 2 kWh less capacity than the current 82.5 kWh unit. Its range is therefore likely to be lower.

WLTP range figures have not yet been announced, but the Chinese CLTC figures confirm this expectation. The previous model claimed 700 km with the larger 82.5 kWh battery, whereas the new, slightly smaller 80.64 kWh unit is rated at 650 km.

The 61.4 kWh battery retains its existing capacity, although its range has also fallen, from 550 km to 510 km.

For reference, the BYD Seal currently sold in Portugal is available only with the 82.5 kWh battery, offering up to 570 km of range on the WLTP cycle.

The powertrain line-up, however, remains unchanged. There are still three choices: two rear-wheel-drive, single-motor versions producing 170 kW (231 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp) - with only the more powerful version sold in Portugal - plus a twin-motor model, with one motor on each axle, producing 390 kW (530 hp).

What else has changed on the BYD Seal 2025?

Externally, the BYD Seal 2025 appears to have received only minor detail changes, while the more substantial revisions are found inside.

The 90º rotating central touchscreen remains, but it is joined by a new, more minimalist dashboard. Key highlights include much subtler air vents, a new flat-bottomed four-spoke steering wheel, and a centre console with physical controls that no longer uses gloss-black trim.

When will it arrive in Europe?

As mentioned, the BYD Seal 2025 is already on sale in China. For now, there is still no information on when it will arrive in Europe.