BYD Seal Excellence AWD

Overview

The BYD Seal Excellence AWD is gunning for the electric sedan crown, taking aim at established players with a compelling mix of performance, tech, and striking looks. This top-spec, all-wheel-drive variant is the one to have if you want the full beans, offering blistering pace and a generous dollop of standard kit. It’s pitched as a premium offering without the eye-watering price tag, starting new at €50,990, with used examples around €41,880. With its 'Ocean Aesthetics' design and Blade Battery tech, it’s a serious contender in the bustling EV saloon segment.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the BYD Seal Excellence AWD largely carries over its impressive package, having only recently made a splash in the European market. Expect potential over-the-air software updates refining the infotainment and vehicle systems, further polishing the user experience. BYD is known for continuous improvement, so subtle tweaks to feature availability or option packages might emerge as the model year progresses. However, the core offering of stonking performance, advanced battery tech, and a premium interior remains the key attraction for this top-tier electric saloon, solidifying its strong debut.

Design & Exterior

The Seal Excellence AWD boasts BYD's 'Ocean Aesthetics' design language, looking sleek and slippery – think high-tech predator from the deep! Its dimensions (4800mm length, 1875mm width, 1460mm height) give it a commanding yet graceful presence. Full-LED lighting, including distinctive U-shaped daytime running lights and a full-width rear light bar, ensures it turns heads. The Excellence trim often scores larger, more stylish alloy wheels and subtle badging. Its coupe-like roofline and flush door handles further enhance its aerodynamic, modern appeal, making it a real looker on the roads.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Seal Excellence AWD, and you're greeted by a properly premium cabin with a high-tech vibe. Materials feel surprisingly plush, and the design is modern, dominated by a massive rotating central touchscreen (often 15.6 inches) and a clear digital driver’s display; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are typically standard. Passenger space is decent, with supportive seats. You get a practical 400-litre boot, plus a handy 53-litre frunk for charging cables. The panoramic glass roof, usually standard on the Excellence, floods the interior with light, enhancing the airy feel.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Seal Excellence AWD is an absolute rocket, zapping from 0-100 km/h in a neck-snapping 3.8 seconds! Credit goes to its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup – an Induction Motor up front and a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor at the rear – pumping out a massive 390 kW and 670 Nm of torque. It’s not just about straight-line grunt; the Seal offers a sophisticated ride, balancing comfort with agile handling. Multiple regenerative braking modes allow for efficient one-pedal driving, and the standard brakes provide confident stopping power when you really need to anchor up.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Seal Excellence AWD packs an 82.5 kWh (usable) Blade Battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 442 km – pretty solid for spirited driving. Efficiency is rated at an impressive 5.36 km/kWh. Charging is handled via a CCS Type 2 port. At home, its standard 11 kW AC on-board charger means a full top-up takes around 7.5 hours. Find a suitable DC fast charger, and it’ll gulp down electrons at up to 150 kW, typically zipping you from 10-80% in about 30-35 minutes. Handy V2L functionality is also included.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The BYD Seal Excellence AWD scores top marks for safety, proudly wearing a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It's absolutely crammed with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems, most of which come as standard on this top-tier trim. You can expect features like adaptive cruise control with stop & go, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. This tech not only protects occupants but also makes long journeys and city driving significantly less stressful and much safer for everyone.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

BYD typically backs the Seal Excellence AWD with a reassuring warranty package in Europe. Expect a comprehensive vehicle warranty, often around 6 years or 150,000 km. The crucial Blade Battery usually comes with an even longer guarantee, typically 8 years or 200,000 km, covering degradation to a certain percentage (e.g., 70% state of health). Powertrain components are also well-covered. Maintenance is generally minimal thanks to its EV nature, focusing on tyres, brakes, and cabin filters. BYD's growing reputation for battery durability and overall reliability adds to the peace of mind.