Compare the BYD Seal U vs Tesla Model Y

Simply styled, with impressive hybrid tech
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
7/10
Not all that posh, but still huge on space
2026
Outstanding EV Award
Highly Commended
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
9/10

AI generated from our expert reviews

The Tesla Model Y can tow more than the BYD Seal U, and it provides more room with the back seats folded. When cornering, the Model Y benefits from a lack of body lean, whereas the Seal U leans a lot, which is unnerving. For smartphone connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly in the Seal U, but you cannot connect your phone via either system in the Model Y. Finally, the view over your shoulder is poor in the BYD, and over-the-shoulder visibility is rather poor in the Tesla.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Compare the specs

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Boost 1.5 DM-i Auto Hybrid Automatic

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Standard Textile Plus Vegan Leather RWD Auto Electric Automatic

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Standard kit

  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Leather seats
    Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
  • Tow hitch
    A fitted towbar for pulling a trailer, caravan or bike rack.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Leather seats
    Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.

Key information

Body type SUVs Body type SUVs, Hatchbacks
Available fuel types Hybrid Available fuel types Electric
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 425 litres (3 suitcases) Boot space, seats up —
Boot space, seats down 1,440 litres Boot space, seats down 2,118 litres Best
External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,775 mm x 1,890 mm x 1,670 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,797 mm x 1,982 mm x 1,624 mm
Towing capacity 750 kg Towing capacity 1,600 kg Best
First year tax rate £115 First year tax rate £10 Best
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.7 miles / kWh
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
4.4 miles / kWh Best
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
403.9 mpg
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
—
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
—
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
309 miles
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 63 kWh
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Rear wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 32 · high Best
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 34 · high
View full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 DM-i Auto Engine name RWD Auto
Engine size 1.5 L Hybrid • 218 BHP Engine size Electric • 299 BHP
Body type SUVs Body type SUVs, Hatchbacks
Fuel type Hybrid Fuel type Electric
Transmission Automatic Transmission Automatic
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Rear wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 1
Acceleration 8.9 s (0-60 mph) Acceleration 7.2 s (0-60 mph) Best
Battery size 18.3 kWh Battery size 63 kWh
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
—
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
309 miles

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 425 litres Boot (seats up) —
Boot (seats down) 1,440 litres Boot (seats down) 2,118 litres Best
Length 4,775 mm Length 4,797 mm
Width 1,890 mm Width 1,982 mm
Height 1,670 mm Height 1,624 mm
Wheelbase 2.77 m Wheelbase 2.89 m
Turning circle 5.5 m Turning circle 12.13 m

Full features list

  • Additional Metallic paint
  • Vegan leather - Black
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • Automatic emergency braking system
  • Brake override system (BOS)
  • Child presence detection
  • Comfort stop
  • Door open warning
  • Driver airbag
  • Electric parking brake
  • Force limiting pre-tensioned front seat belts
  • Front centre airbag
  • Front passenger airbag
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Front side airbags
  • Hill descent control
  • Hill hold control
  • Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
  • Hydraulic brake boost
  • Mechanical child safety lock
  • Rear middle seat force limiting seat belt
  • Rear seat belt pretensioners
  • Reflective vest
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Traction control system (TCS)
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)
  • Warning triangle
  • 12V power outlet
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 8 way electrically adjustable drivers seat
  • Adjustable rear headrests
  • Boot parcel shelf
  • Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Driver seat memory function
  • Front LED reading lights
  • Front centre armrest with 2 cupholders
  • Front passenger seat with 4-way electric adjustment
  • Front seat footlights
  • Heat pump
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • ISOFIX and i-Size for front passenger and outer rear seats
  • Integrated headrest in front seats
  • LED front door lights
  • Nylon floor mats
  • PM2.5 air filter
  • PM2.5 air purification system
  • Rear air vents
  • Rear armrest with 2 cupholders
  • Rear side LED reading lights
  • Rhythm-reactive multi-colour ambient lighting
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Split folding rear seats - 40/60
  • Vegan leather multifunction steering wheel
  • Vegan leather upholstery
  • Ventilated front seats
  • 2 x Smart keys
  • Alarm and immobiliser (Thatcham category 1)
  • Automatic door locking
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • 12.3" TFT full LCD instrument panel
  • 360 camera
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
  • Automatic vehicle hold
  • BYD voice control assistant "Hi, BYD"
  • Blind spot detection
  • Controlled deceleration parking (CDP)
  • Drive mode select (Eco, normal, sport, snow)
  • Electric tailgate release
  • Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
  • Forward collision warning
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Front cross traffic alert and front cross traffic brake
  • Head up Display
  • Indirect driver fatigue management
  • Intelligent speed limit control (ISLC)
  • Keyless system entry and start
  • Lane Departure Assistant (LDA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane change assist
  • Lane departure prevention
  • Lane keep assist
  • Power assisted steering
  • Predictive collision warning
  • Rear collision warning
  • Rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake
  • Rollover Control System (RMI)
  • Smartphone wireless charging, 2 x 15W
  • Traffic sign recognition (TSR)
  • Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function
  • e-Call (emergency call)
  • Aluminium roof rails
  • Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
  • Auto headlamps (on/off)
  • Dynamic welcome lights
  • Electric folding and heated door mirrors
  • Emergency tow hook
  • Exterior mirror footlights
  • Follow me home headlights (The headlights turned on in advance and delayed off function)
  • Front windscreen, UV protection, thermal insulation and sound proofing
  • High beam assist
  • LED 3rd brake light
  • LED Headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED taillights
  • Metallic paint
  • One touch electric front/rear windows with pinch protection
  • Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch sensor and electrically adjustable sunshade
  • Rain sensor windscreen wipers
  • Rear fog lights
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear window and rear windscreen with tinted glass
  • Rear wiper
  • 19" Bi-colour alloy wheels
  • Tyre nut covers remover
  • Tyre repair kit
  • 11kW on board charger
  • Home charging cable 3pin
  • Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)
  • 15.6" Electrically rotatable touchscreen
  • FM/DAB+ radio
  • Front USB ports, 1 x 18W Type C, 1 x 60W Type C
  • Infinity sound system with 10 speakers
  • Rear USB ports, 2 x 18W Type C
  • Metallic paint
  • Solid paint
  • Special metallic paint
  • Textile/vegan leather - Black/Black interior
  • 3 point front seatbelts with pre-tensioners
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Anti lock brake system + traction control
  • Automatic emergency braking system
  • Driver/Front Passenger airbags
  • Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake Assist
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Electronic stability control
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Anti theft alarm
  • Dashcam and sentry mode
  • Keyless driving and keyless entry
  • 12 way power adjustable front seats with driver lumbar support
  • 2 fixed rear headrests
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Aluminum detailing and premium textiles
  • Automatic dual-zone climate control system
  • Driver and front passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • First row: power recline and heated seats
  • Footwell and door pocket ambient lighting
  • Front head restraints
  • Glovebox, lockable with illumination
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Interior ambient lighting
  • Manual adjust steering wheel
  • Manual fold flat seat release 40/20/40
  • Map and reading lights
  • Open center console
  • Particulate and odour filter
  • Rear centre armrest with 2 cup holders
  • Second row: manual folding seats
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Textile/vegan leather upholstery
  • Type 2 cable
  • Ultraviolet and infrared protection on all glass
  • 8 exterior cameras
  • Acoustic seat-belt warning
  • Automatic easy-entry and exit
  • Autopilot
  • Blind spot Collision Warning (BCW)
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Bluetooth hands free phone with voice control system
  • Custom driver profiles
  • Dual wireless phone charger
  • Electric assisted front and rear doors
  • Emergency call service
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure avoidance
  • Mobile App interface
  • Navigation system
  • New front-facing camera
  • Power assist steering
  • Power lift tailgate
  • Reversing camera
  • Software updates over WiFi
  • Speed limit recognition
  • Traffic-aware cruise control
  • Auto headlights
  • Auto high beam
  • Automatic headlights and wipers
  • Daytime running lights
  • Electric windows with one touch open
  • Fixed closed glass roof with interior headlining
  • Hands-free power trunk opening on approach.
  • Heated windshield
  • LED 3rd brake light
  • LED Headlights
  • LED fog lights
  • LED tail lights
  • Multi coat paint
  • Power folding side view mirrors
  • Rain sensitive windscreen wipers
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear view mirror auto dimming
  • Rear window defroster
  • Tinted rear glass windows and rear windshield
  • 16" first row QHD Touchscreen
  • 5 USB C ports up to 65W
  • 7 speakers with immersive sound
  • DAB Digital radio
  • Mobile App remote control
  • Music and media via bluetooth
  • Tesla entertainment
  • 11 kW AC onboard charger
  • Auto charge planning
  • CCS charging connector (175Kw Max)
  • Passive shock absorbers
  • Second-generation hardware
  • Single motor RWD
  • Type 2 connector
  • 19" Crossflow alloy wheels
  • Power actuated first row air vents and second row manual adjust air vents
  • Textile decor door trims

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.