USA EV Comparison: BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah vs BYD Seal Design RWD
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General Info
While the BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) is currently produced, it is not offered for sale in the United States. The BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) has been discontinued. You can find it for as low as $8989 on the used car market.
The BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) is a Hatchback, whereas the BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) is a Sedan.
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Years of Production | 2017-2018 | 2022-… |
| Current Status | Discontinued | Produced |
| Country of Manufacture | Germany | China |
| Body Style | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Market Availability | EU, USA | EU |
| Price USA (Used) | $8989 | - Price USA (Used) |
| GCC Score | 5.1 | 6.5 |
Range and Efficiency
While the BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) offers a longer real-world range and a bigger battery, it is less energy-efficient than the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018).
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Range (EPA) | 114 mi | - Range (EPA) |
| Range (WLTP) | - Range (WLTP) | 354 mi |
| Range (GCC) | 124 mi | 301 mi |
| Battery Capacity (Nominal) | 33.2 kWh | 84 kWh |
| Battery Capacity (Usable) | 27.2 kWh | 82.5 kWh |
| Efficiency per 100 mi | 21.9 kWh/100 mi | 27.4 kWh/100 mi |
| Efficiency per kWh | 4.56 mi/kWh | 3.65 mi/kWh |
| Range and Efficiency Score | 6.2 | 8.1 |
Charging
Both vehicles utilize a standard 400-volt architecture.
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) offers faster charging speeds at DC stations, reaching up to 150 kW, while the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) maxes out at 50 kW.
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) features a more powerful on-board charger, supporting a maximum AC charging power of 11 kW, whereas the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) is limited to 7.4 kW.
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Max Charging Power (AC) | 7.4 kW | 11 kW |
| Max Charging Power (DC) | 50 kW | 150 kW |
| Architecture | 400 V | 400 V |
| Charge Port | CCS Type 1 | CCS Type 2 |
| Charging Score | 4 | 6.5 |
Performance
Both vehicles are rear-wheel drive.
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) boasts greater motor power and accelerates faster from 0 to 60 mph.
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Type | RWD | RWD |
| Motor Type | PMSM | PMSM |
| Motor Power (kW) | 125 kW | 230 kW |
| Motor Power (hp) | 168 hp | 308 hp |
| Motor Torque | 184 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 7.2 s | 5.7 s |
| Top Speed | 93 mph | 112 mph |
| Performance Score | 3.2 | 4.5 |
Dimensions
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) is longer and wider, but the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) is taller.
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) boasts a more extended wheelbase.
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 157.9 in | 189 in |
| Width (with Mirrors) | 80.3 in | 84.6 in |
| Width (w/o Mirrors) | 69.9 in | 73.8 in |
| Height | 62.9 in | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in | 115 in |
Cargo and Towing
A frunk (front trunk) is available in the BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…), but the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) doesn’t have one.
The BYD Seal Design RWD (2022-…) has a towing capacity of up to 1653 lb, whereas the BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah (2017-2018) is not officially rated for towing in the US.
| Property | BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah | BYD Seal Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Curb Weight | 2961 lb | 4597 lb |
| Cargo Volume (Trunk) | 9.2 ft3 | 14.1 ft3 |
| Cargo Volume (Max) | 38.8 ft3 | - Cargo Volume (Max) |
| Cargo Volume (Frunk) | - Cargo Volume (Frunk) | 1.9 ft3 |
| Towing Capacity | - Towing Capacity | 1653 lb |
| Cargo and Towing Score | 4.3 | 5.3 |
