Tesla Model 3 vs BYD Seal TESTED - Is Tesla’s newcomer already second best? | Electrifying

#teslamodel3 #tesla #byd

The Tesla Model 3 kick-started the electric revolution in 2019 and remains a huge seller globally. But time doesn’t stand still and the US giant has just released a new, improved version that introduces new exterior design elements, longer ranges and an improved interior. It’s also (slightly) more affordable, with the entry-level model now back under £40,000.

But are the updates enough to keep the Model 3 at the top of the electric saloon sales charts? During its four year production run, Tesla hasn’t been short of rivals but has seen them all off pretty comfortably. The latest contender is from a brand that many won’t have heard of: BYD. Having launched in the UK with Atto 3 and Dolphin supermini, the Chinese giant actually sells more cars than Tesla and has big ambitions for its new European operation.

On paper, the two are very similar with 300+ mile ranges, loads of equipment and similar costs when bought on PCP finance (as 95+% of all new cars are). Join Ginny and Nicola as they pitch the two newcomers head-to-head to find which is the best package.

Do you agree? Which would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.

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[jondee]

The BYD Seal is a lot cheaper than the Tesla Model 3 here in Australia. I can't believe how much is being charged for the Seal in the UK. The Seal is a brilliant car - we're very happy with our purchase.

[graffitijungle]

C: Too many warning sounds!
BYD: Ok, I heard you.
C: I don't like the logo behind the car!
BYD: Ok, no problem.
C: Lower the price!
BYD: Sorry, your government doesn't allow me to do this.

[raymonddon]

im mexican 33, and living in mexico. in my city of chinesca, mexico... BYD put 4 car factories in less than 2 years. the people are so happy cuzz the chinese gave 1000's of us mexicans jobs, which we never had before. plus, they sell great cars at very low prices, so us mexicans can all buy new BYD cars. but the main reason why china put many car plants in mexico, so they can enter the USA markets via the backdoors by mexico. very soon floods of chinese cars will in the states, yes, floods of chinese cars. however, this is a good thing, cuzz all car companies will have to lower their prices. this is a win win for all the people. thank you china & its wonderful people. bravo! bravo!

[EcoHouseThailand]

I’ve owned an AWD Performance Seal for 2 months it costs less than a RWD 3 here in Thailand. Fantastic car, great performance, luxury, refinement and no squeaks or rattles. You can access heated/cooled seats by dragging down from the top of the screen. The sunroof is silver coated and does a much better job than Teslas at reflecting heat. I have the V2L hooked up to my solar system to provide backup power to my house (videos on my channel for the doubters)

[zimuli]

byd is the world's largest electric bus manufacturer, the world's second-largest battery manufacturer, sells far more cars than Tesla, and supplies batteries to Tesla factories. In addition, BYD is the only manufacturer in the world that is fully capable of producing all components of EV (except glass and tires), including the main chips required.

[RicknMorty]

Can't wait to test drive the BYD Seal in my country, will most likely be getting one next year. The quality and design of the BYD just looks more refined and better than the Tesla. Also BYD have the worlds safest EV Blade Batteries in the world.

[haoruchen]

Seal is the most sporty car I ever drove. Its agility and handling are amazing. And I currently drive an Alfa Romeo.

[ricosun]

Cant go wrong with either, kind of like Merc vs BMW in the early 2000s, more comfort or more driving pleasure. Kind of silly BYD priced it so expensive in UK, not sure if it tariff thing, because in Australia Seal is 5-10K usd cheaper than the Base Model Tesla.

[erhuforever]

The reason why BYD doesn't offer 1-Pedal driving is because the majority of the drivers simply don't like this feature. It feels unnatural to most people. I am sure after getting used to it, more people might be OK with this feature. BYD did actually incorporate the regenerative braking benefit of "1-Pedal Driving" into the braking system itself. In the BYD Seal, the regen kicks in when you first step on the brake pedal. The actual friction braking will eventually take over if the braking force required exceeds the regen capability. BYD's system works flawlessly. The ultimate goal is to recuperate as much kinetic energy as possible, and the regenerative braking system in the BYD Seal achieves this efficiently. All drivers are used to "coasting" as a natural part of driving. BYD wanted to preserve this feeling, and I am so glad they did that. One of BYD's major goal has always been to make the transition from ICE cars to EVs as seamless as possible. That's why they outsell all their competitors in China by a huge margin (including Tesla).

[andygolesworthy]

Not many videos start of with the line " This is such an interesting testicle"

[sargfowler]

I think the BYD Seal will be a lot easier for ICE drivers to move to.
The Tesla is just too minimalist for most people.
Having said that, they've both out of reach for the average buyer, but will be OK in a couple of years when they halve in price 😂

[EmergencyFocus]

Test drove SEAL in Australia over the weekend...Quite, Comfortable with excellent interior and driver ergonomics and driving dynamics. The minimalist approach of TESLA 3 is going to cost them "new" customers, coming from petrol and hybrid cars well used to buttons, indicators, head up displays and Apple car play and android auto. A driver still needs to feel in control, a driving pleasure. Overall, I think BYD wins on ride, buttons with phone integration and a strong design language. Tesla stays strong on charging network and a faster charging, I wouldn't be surprised if Tesla brings back some of it's lost functions in coming years

[Dragonovus]

I liked the review a lot but I think that you just aren't that aware of how far advanced Tesla is over any electric car at the moment. All the cameras, sentry mode, dashcam, autopilot with all its features, one pedal driving, collision avoidance front and back as it tries to avoid that car that will hit you from behind and the front, it tightens your seatbelts before the crash. High fidility park assist, Tesla's Google maps, navigation system is far superior as it also calculates how many people are going to the charging station during your long trips. Display at the back with their own bluetooth connection. None of this is present in the BYD. Putting it into analogy, it's as if BYD is Android and Tesla is iPhone.

[niklaswejedal]

I am so with Ginny; the indicator buttons on the steering wheel are frustratingly awful - I hate it! And it gets even worse on the yoke, as you can't feed it as easilly arround with both hands. Every round-about becomes an indicator nightmare. And I do think that Nicola is right about the Tesla being more robot than car. It is very good at what it is doing, but with a complete lack of enjoyment to it. Styling-wise, it is nice but not interesting. - And the fart-noises... give me a break. If it was animal-noises like a chimp, cat or a dog, then maybe I would find that somewhat amusing, but fart-noises... I am not 5 years anymore. Apart from Teslas supercharger network, I think the BYD is the more attractive option here; looks better and seems to be more involving to drive - not to mention it got a real indicator stalk. BTW, I do think the general Electrfying audience is informed enough of EVs in general to have heard of BYD before. I saw my first one ten years ago: a taxi at the Barcelona Airport, and the Atto 3 has become such a massive hit here in Sweden even my parents (who are not into cars at all) know what a BYD is.

[ateiviz]

I've been reading about the regen on the Seal and it seems like they've implemented the regen through the brake pedal. When the pedal is first pressed it engages strong regen and blends the brakes in as needed. It appears this was aimed at people switching from ICE cars. It really is a matter of preference though, I'm on the side of what BYD have implemented to have more control of the car.

[gfusion]

53k miles on a M3, extended test drive on the BYD Seal. The BYD is definitely a more comfortable car to travel in with great quality materials and ride comfort and sound insulation. I also think the BYD looks a bit better. The cabin and the seats are top quality and the exterior is also really nice, looks even better in person. But the M3 (even the old one) is just a bit more fun to drive. Its direct and darty (which I like) charges WAY faster, has the network and also a very large service network. The BYD is in its infancy, driving 100 miles to a service centre at the moment isnt ideal....UI wise the Teslas are also miles ahead. Menus make sense and are intuitive and grouped properly ie Climate/Display/Controls etc. The BYD has a bit of everything everywhere. Menus, pull downs, side swipes. That being said the Seals central screen is something special its so large and so crisp when navigating its a joy. Its also worth noting according BYD any Seals shipped before March come with the indicator on the right stalk and wipers on the left. My test car had this and was a nightmare to adjust to. Apparently the norm in other right drive markets. It also has the most aggressive lane departure system Ive ever seen (Even more aggressive than the MG4). Even an few inches left or right of centre it was dragging you all over the place. Can be turned off no doubt but needs adjusting. Id deffo still recommend it but I think it still needs some maturity and bug ironing to make it a sure thing. Most of that can be done through software so should be easy. Credit to them though honestly it rides as well a C Class/3 Series maybe even a smidgeon better. There arent many EVs that can do that. The new Tesla indicator is a no go for me too 🤣 the New M3 ups its quality considerably but not enough to tempt me for one either... so I'll be hanging on to my old M3 for now. If anyone has one, that would be my advice, especially if like me you still have ultrasonic sensors 🤣 (If you know you know....)

[charlesxu]

Y ，通过试驾我自己体会了记得让我很不舒服的地方，1. 2. 特斯拉的内饰， 他们用20多万RMB的价格卖出的汽车 内饰甚至不如一台10万RMB的大众汽车。
回到我选择比亚迪的理由 1. 作为一个中国汽车品牌，他在中国的售价确实比较的划算。 2. 海豹的驾驶感受更像一台汽油动力的轿车。4. 很多评论中提到的能量回收的可调节范围 5.

[ALWH]

One of the heavy criticism of BYD Atto3 by this channel was the lack of physical switch, and for Tesla with zero switch, the comment is “you have to lean to use it”, lol.

[Jorvik-The-Poor]

So pleased to hear (no pun intended) that BYD have softened the bings and bongs.

[Shane-lnzz]

The Tesla is exactly built for the Tesla buyer, lacking in personality, dull, robotic and craving to be cool, BYD is a much nicer car