Mat’s Car of the Day: here’s why you should choose the BYD Seal over the Tesla Model 3

The BYD Seal is one of my favourite Chinese cars. It looks smart, has a posh-feeling interior and it’s brilliant to drive, but it can’t quite match the Tesla Model 3 on range, interior space and technology.

However, I’ve found a lease deal on Carwow which makes the BYD look like an even better deal.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

BYD Seal lease deals: how to get the best value for money

If you’re buying in cash or on finance, the Tesla Model 3 is the better option between these two cars. You can get the Tesla for as little as £38,000, whereas the BYD costs from almost £46,000.

However, if you’d prefer to lease a car for the lower monthly payment and ease of ownership, there are some cracking deals to be had on the BYD Seal.

You can get a top-spec Excellence model for £297 per month at the time of writing, and that’s over three years and 30,000 miles with just under £4,000 up front. A basic Tesla Model 3 costs £289 per month on similar terms, but a mid-spec dual-motor model, which more closely matches the Seal’s performance and equipment levels, costs £405 per month.

Three reasons to choose the BYD Seal

1. It’s the faster car for the money

The top-spec BYD Seal Excellence has two electric motors putting out a combined 530hp, and it’ll do 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds. The basic Model 3 does the sprint in 6.2 seconds, and the Long Range All-Wheel Drive car takes 4.2 seconds. If you want a Model 3 which beats the Seal, you’ll need the Performance model for £541 per month. Then you get a car which does 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds.

2. The interior

There are a few things about the BYD’s interior which I prefer to the Tesla’s. You get a few more physical buttons for starters, and there’s a traditional gear selector as opposed to the touchscreen slider you get in the Model 3. I also like the fact the Seal has a digital driver’s display, as well as a head-up display. The Tesla displays your speed on the central screen, which I don’t like as much.

3. The BYD is smoother over bumps

If all-out comfort is important to you, the BYD Seal is the better car. The suspension is a bit softer than the Tesla’s, and as a result it smooths out bumps in the road a little bit better. There’s not so much in it at higher speeds, but around town the Seal feels a bit less jiggly.

Three reasons to choose the Tesla Model 3 instead

1. The range is way better

This Excellence version of the BYD Seal will do up to 323 miles on a charge according to official tests, whereas even the basic Model 3 will do 332 miles. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive model has 410 miles of range, or for £356 per month you could have the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive which will travel a whopping 466 miles.

2. The Tesla’s tech is batter

The Tesla’s touchscreen is easier to use than the BYD’s thanks to logical menus and zippy graphics. It has handy shortcuts for the climate control, whereas the BYD’s menus are buried deeper in the system. Tesla remains the king of in-car tech.

3. It’s more practical

You get a whopping 594 litres of boot space in the Tesla Model 3, whereas the BYD Seal is limited to 400 litres. You also get an 88-litre front boot, 35-litres more than the BYD, and although the Seal is slightly roomier in the back seats, the Tesla is still more than spacious enough for two adults.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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