2025 BYD Seal updated with price cut, but Australia misses out on biggest upgrades from China
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BYD’s Tesla Model 3 rival has been updated in Australia for 2025, with lower prices and new features, but the most significant changes recently introduced in China have missed the boat.
The 2025 BYD Seal electric sedan has been updated in Australia with new features and chassis technology, all for prices $2808 to $3578 lower than before.
But the most significant updates announced for the Seal in the Chinese market – including a redesigned dashboard, 800-volt electricals for faster charging, and lidar sensors – have skipped local showrooms.
There remain three model grades in the BYD Seal range for Model Year 2025 (MY25) – Dynamic, Premium and Performance – now priced from $46,990 to $61,990 plus on-road costs.
The middle-of-the-range Premium ($52,990) is now cheaper than an equivalent Tesla Model 3 ($54,900), after the US car giant slashed its prices by $7000 over the course of 2024.
MORE: BYD Seal tech upgrade for 2025 facelift
Changes to the all-wheel-drive Performance have been most significant, with the 390kW electric car now gaining adaptive dampers – branded as DiSus-C – and coloured front brake calipers.
The frequency-selective dampers – which were not adaptive – fitted to the 2024 Performance are now standard on the mid-grade Premium, with the Dynamic retaining the base suspension setup.
Newly standard across the range is a power-operated sunshade for the glass roof – rather than a clip-in unit previously – plus a sunglasses holder, a PM2.5 cabin air filter, and an NFC and Bluetooth digital key, according to BYD.
BYD says wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also new – rather than wired-only CarPlay and wireless Android Auto previously – but it’s understood these dual wireless functions were already available on the current model through a software update.
MORE: 2024 BYD Seal Performance review – Australian first drive
Visual changes are limited to unspecified revisions to wheel designs – likely a new 19-inch alloy for the Premium and Performance – as well as the deletion of Arctic Blue paint due to “customer preferences based on existing sales data,” according to BYD.
Shark Grey is now available on the Premium, rather than being a Performance exclusive, while a square trailer hitch is now optional.
Much of the vehicle has not changed, meaning Australia misses out on the most significant upgrades announced for the Chinese market.
The interior is the same as before, skipping the China-only restyle (below) with its flatter dashboard, new steering wheel, and instrument display integrated into the fascia.
Unchanged are the 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch instrument screen, as well as the current, narrower centre console.
“It does take a little bit of time for product to make its way to Australia,” CEO of BYD’s Australian distributor EVDirect, David Smitherman, told Drive.
“The Seal’s been an incredibly [strong] performer for us when you look at the numbers. Probably people wouldn’t have expected Seal to perform so well.
“So we’re delighted with that vehicle, and we’re always working to improve the spec – I think it is a great proposition for what it is.”
A new Tahiti Blue interior colour has been introduced locally as an alternative to black in the Premium and Performance.
Mechanical specifications are unchanged, with 61.44kWh or 82.56kWh batteries depending on model, and either one 150kW rear motor in the Dynamic, one 230kW rear motor in the Premium, and dual motors developing 390kW in the Performance.
Rated ground clearance has increased slightly for the Dynamic and Premium – from 145mm to 149mm – while the front storage area has grown by three litres to 53L, according to the spec sheet.
Australian models have not mirrored Chinese versions in upgrading to newer ‘e-Platform 3.0 Evo’ underpinnings, with electricals capable of 800 volts.
Chinese versions have also adopted an 80.64kWh battery for higher-grade models, as well as a new 170kW motor with the smaller battery.
The overseas upgrade is evident in charging performance, with Australian Seals still only capable of accepting a peak 110kW DC for the Dynamic, and 150kW DC for the other models – compared to 180kW and 230kW for the smaller and larger batteries in China.
Other upgrades to Chinese models that will skip Australia include a roof-mounted lidar sensor to power the car’s semi-autonomous system, plus an illuminated rear BYD badge, and Sky Purple paint.
Order books for the revised 2025 BYD Seal are open now.
2025 BYD Seal price in Australia
- Seal Dynamic – $46,990 (down $2898, was $49,888)
- Seal Dynamic – $52,990 (down $2808, was $55,798)
- Seal Dynamic – $61,990 (down $3758, was $65,748)
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
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