2024 VW ID.7 vs BYD Seal vs Polestar 2. Time to cancel the Tesla? | Electrifying.com

#vwid7 #BYD Seal #polestar2

Are you someone who doesn’t like to follow the crowd? Do you zig when others zag? If that sounds like you, do not click away because THIS could be the comparison test for you. If you’re looking for a family-size electric saloon or hatchback, there’s one very obvious candidate, isn’t there? It starts with a T, ends in a 3 and has ‘eslamodel’ in the middle.

If you don’t want to follow the crowd and want something that’s a little more… individual, what should you choose? Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to find out in this video, because we have three brilliant alternatives to the Tesla Model 3 that will fight it out for supremacy.

Contender one is the newest kid on the block - the Volkswagen ID.7. It starts from just over £50,000 for entry-level 77kWh model and VW says will have a 383 mile range. Car two is the BYD Seal. It arrived late last year and wowed us all here at Electrifying. It proved more than a match for the Tesla Model 3 when we tested them back to back and for sheer value for money it’s hard to beat. We tested the all-wheel drive Excellence model that sells for £48,695 and comes with every imaginable extra.

Finally, we have the Polestar 2. Yes, it’s technically the old lady of the group, but it was treated to a substantial revamp last year and remains a great package. Here we test the single motor, long range version which will set you back £48,950.

Join Ginny, Nicola and Nicki as they pitch our three contenders head to head for the first time. Does the ID.7 deliver the efficiency that Volkswagen has promised? Can the BYD retain its crown as the best all-rounder in the sector?

Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match

£51,550

Dimensions (l/w/h): 4,961 / 1,862 / 1,520

Wheelbase: 2,971mm

Top speed: 112 mph

0-62mph: 6.5 secs

WLTP range: 383 miles

Boot: 532 / 1,586 litres / no frunk

Wheels 19-inch

Battery: 77kWh

Power: 282bhp

Torque: 545 Nm

Rapid charging: 175kW DC

AC charging: 11kW

Towing: 1,200kg

Weight: 2,172kg

BYD SEAL Excellence

£48,695

Dimensions (l/w/h): 4,800 / 1,875 / 1,460

Wheelbase: 2,920mm

Top speed: 112 mph

0-62mph: 3.8 secs

WLTP range: 354 miles

Boot: 400 litres / 53 litre frunk

Wheels 19-inch

Power: bhp

Torque: 360Nm

Battery: 82.5kWh

Rapid charging: 150kW DC

AC charging: 11kW

Towing: 1,500kg

Weight: 2,084kg

Polestar 2 Long range, single motor

£48,950

Dimensions (l/w/h): 4,606 / 1,859 / 1,479

Wheelbase: 2,735mm

Top speed: 127 mph

0-62mph: 5.9 secs

WLTP range: 406 miles

Boot: 405 / 1,095 litres / 41 litre frunk

Wheels 19-inch

Battery: 82kWh

Power: 295bhp

Torque: 490 Nm

Rapid charging: 205kW DC

AC charging: 11kW

Towing: 1,500kg

Weight: 2,110kg

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

00:00 Intro
00:50 The Volkswagen ID.7
01:06 The BYD Seal
01:39 The Polestar 2
02:02 Let's talk about looks
05:12 Interior & Practicality - ID.7
09:37 Boot space - ID.7
09:47 Interior & Practicality - Polestar 2
11:37 Boot space and frunk - Polestar 2
12:22 Interior & Practicality - BYD Seal
15:01 Boot Space and frunk - BYD Seal
15:16 Driving - ID.7
18:39 Driving - Polestar 2
20:05 Driving - BYD Seal
22:56 Charging and Range - ID.7
23:53 Charging and Range - Polestar 2
24:14 Charging and Range - BYD Seal
24:27 Options and Equipment - ID.7
25:44 Options and Equipment - Polestar 2
26:09 Options and Equipment - BYD Seal
26:43 The Verdict

[qjib]

All three looks better than the Tesla inside and out.

[vasil]

I'm 6'3" and never had a problem getting into the Seal. Try lowering the seat and enabling comfort entry, which automatically slides the seat backwards and forwards when opening and closing the door.

[seanf]

Totally agree, I own the BYD Seal Performance here in Thailand, and love driving it everyday.

[jameschapman]

Options, Options Options. that is all you ever hear from car makers and that is why cars like the BYD will sell. It was the same when the Japanese cars started to arrive in the UK. They provided things like Radios and heaters as standard WOW unheard of on other makers cars unless you got the options list out. And that is why cars like the BYD will succeed in this country.

[ridingwithpat]

BYD would be my choice and it's on my shopping list. Value for money, features and performance. New to us but an established brand in China. I saw a BYD plugin hybrid at the 2009 Detroit Auto show, it looked a bit unrefined but now, wow!

[GTcrazy]

Here in New Zealand the Polestar 2 and BYD Seal are NOT competitors. The PS2 is a lot more expensive. If you spec the equivalent (in performance and features) PS2, ie the Performance pack, dual motor, it costs 120, 000 NZD. The top version of the BYD Seal is 84, 000 NZD. Not even close.

ID 7 isn't available in NZ yet.

[kwesto]

Android Auto is wireless here in Australia. Can't wait to get my Seal. I pick it up in 4 weeks.

[MrDAVIDATKIN]

I own the pre facelift P2 and I like the look of the BYD seal, great value for money.
I was considering it as replacement when eventually the time comes.
However no OPD rules it out straight away, the OPD in the Polestar is just sublime and I couldn't go back to a car where I have to use the brake again especially around town.
Very surprised all new EVs don't at least have the option.

[Stan-at-KangarooIslandTV]

I love my Polestar 2 RWD refresh very very much - it’s a roadtrip machine and built for sheer driving pleasure, plus it has the best mapping and infotainment. I love the design and quality. It’s well suited a single bloke and his dog looking to conquer the long roads of Australia! Both the other cars are excellent though, and I’d take any other EV over a Model T.

[vrome]

The BYD Seal does actually have wireless Android Auto, but Car Play is wired. That's what the dealer said when I went for a test drive in one.

[cotswoldphotographers]

Still polestar 2 for me I’m afraid and hands down better looking and more practical for my needs.

[JustinAmundrud]

My 2024 Polestar 2 is my favorite car I’ve ever driven. Beautiful car.

[thefathippy]

Good comparo and great chemistry between you all. Thanks.

I saw my second Seal on the road today. On looks alone, BYD are on a winner, and it sounds like they match/beat the competition elsewhere. Damn, they're tasty looking cars.

OTOH, the VW reminds me of a Camry. Disappointingly blah blah bland. 😂

[urbanstrencan]

For me it is just one choice it's Polestar 2 on the looks alone. Love almost like muscle car look and boxines. Polestar really knows design you can see that the designer is its boss :)

[teamnotleafy]

Surprised no mention of the seat massage in the iD7, not that it would swing it for me.

[Paul-huzr]

I do love the channel ladies, I really do, but there are a few things that can sound like a stuck record. I've had a VW ID4 now for just over a year and done 14, 000 miles in it and it's great. Smooth, quiet, great sensible acceleration, good range 240 miles now, 290 summer.
Why do journalists go on about the window switches every time? Number of times I've opened the rear windows by mistake is once.
Yes I know some may love One pedal driving, but relying on it alone = rusty brakes and an accident when you borrow your better half's car for the day.
Also bringing the car to 3 or 4 mph is great in traffic.
Apple car play / Android auto, I was not impressed with the later, so not interested, wired or wireless, Haptic buttons are fine, a solution to a problem that didn't exist agreed.
Great to see the ID7 has illuminated the heat and volume sliders, not doing that was just dumb.
Keep up the good work

[petermalkin]

Just test drove a BYD Seal. Its fantastic-I also love the colour. The only issue is its a bit low slung for me and I carck my head getting in!

[alanrutland]

With all the extras on the VW and Polestar, I am unsure whether your given prices were inclusive or exclusive of them. If exclusive then the BYD is miles ahead with regarding price. Also, as said, why do VW not add a heat pump as standard.

[bryanduncan]

Isn't the ID.7 from the size class above?

The BYD Han would be a more suitable competitor, although not sure if it will come to the UK?!

[LittleBoobsLover]

I really would like to see charging on Seal and PoleStar2 - because the paper specs don't show the realities. For example BYD can have high % of charging for longer, where PS2 charging might decrease in time of charging. 'The charging curve' Plus how do they charge during -10 or -15 deg C?