If you clicked on this article because of the Seal's name, let me clarify first: This is not the EV version of the “electric BMW” (yes, in my opinion, the Seal EV deserves that title). Its original name should have been “Destroyer 07.” So, it has no inherent relation to the pure electric sports sedan we are familiar with.
BYD’s Ocean Network has further consolidated the naming: Seal represents sedans, while Sea Lion represents SUVs. The naming of oceanic warships has quietly phased out.
So, if you were expecting to see the Seal’s cornering prowess, you might want to exit now. But if you’re simply in search of a mid-to-high-end sedan priced around 200.000 RMB, then you’ve come to the right place.
Although the direct renaming has left some people confused, the initial impression it left on me was quite positive: unique design, excellent appearance, and it uses a new platform, clearly aiming at traditional B-segment sedans like the Accord and Camry.
Moreover, less than a year after its launch, a Glory Edition has been released, which, despite causing some disappointment among early owners, is eye-catching with its starting price of 149.800 RMB. After several unsuccessful attempts to book a test drive, I decided to drive to an Ocean Network dealership directly.
Frankly, the car’s dimensions are quite similar to the Han, and you can clearly feel its substantial size when you see the actual vehicle. But why do some people still choose the Han over it?
I think it might be related to the front face, body color, and wheel rims. Although its length approaches 5 meters, its height nearly reaches 1.5 meters, making it about 50 mm taller than the Accord and Camry. Additionally, the dominant light-colored body paint further amplifies the visual bulkiness, making the 18-inch wheels and tires with a high aspect ratio of 50% seem inadequate for the large body. If the primary color were darker or if it had 19-inch wheels, the visual effect would likely be more balanced.
However, the actual vehicle does give off a sense of excellent craftsmanship. The body lines are very complex, quite different from the strong three-dimensional lines of European cars. The "curved" headlights combined with complex surfaces and lines may not catch your eye at first, but the style grows on you over time.
The bold blue and purple paint and the good finish make it look both youthful and subtly stylish.
The interior extends this style to its fullest, especially the magenta version shown in the official images, which is extremely flashy.
Regardless of its appearance, the workmanship and materials are outstanding. The upper part of the plastic has a soft touch, and the lower part is even wrapped in suede! It pairs perfectly with the purple exterior. Of course, if you have more conservative tastes, the black interior version is also highly recommended. The suede is replaced with leather, and the piano black trim ensures that even a full black color scheme doesn’t feel plasticky.
Additionally, I pressed on the entire dashboard from left to right. Apart from some very subtle sounds from the central air conditioning vent panel, I didn’t feel any deformation or unusual noises elsewhere. Of course, this is just a brand-new showroom car, and how it performs over time remains to be seen.
The UI is definitely a strong point for BYD. First, the instrument panel, with its significantly larger screen compared to entry-level models like the Qin PLUS, is clearer without overly flashy effects.
However, there is still room for optimization. For example, the contrast between the patterned light-colored background and the central speed and power information needs to be increased. After adjusting the steering wheel, the outer edge still obstructs some of the warning lights and information, so the layout could be improved.
The Dlink 5.0 central control home page is worth praising: it removes the large cards of the past and replaces them with a design similar to the Aion, with a large background and small-sized shortcut cards, making it look much cleaner. The background also supports switching between wallpaper and map interfaces.
Personally, I think the card sizes could be slightly larger for easier clicking. Additionally, the Dock bar at the bottom now has more functions, higher utility, and supports split-screen operation.
Another noteworthy feature is the air conditioning adjustment interface.
Instead of following the trend of a virtual central control panel, it retains the classic large-size graphic style. The advantage is that adjusting the air vents is very convenient, and the surrounding controls for airflow, A/C, and temperature are not interfered with by complex screens.
However, the interface design is somewhat plain, and the air conditioning screen could be made into a modern non-full-screen pull-up style for more convenience.
The crystal gear lever design is delicate and compact, worth a bit of fiddling with. However, its small size and rear placement make it less ideal compared to a larger design like BMW’s “big chicken leg” gear lever, though BMW has also removed it from the new 5 Series.
Yet, the buttons on either side of the gear lever have turned into touch-sensitive ones… It seems even BYD has picked up this trend.
In terms of interior trim, BYD used matte surfaces instead of the common chrome treatment found in competitors. This is a typical BYD approach, which might take some getting used to for those new to the brand.
For the audio system, the mid-range Prestige version comes with 8 speakers, and the higher models have a 12-speaker Dynaudio system. The 8 speakers are sufficient for everyday use, offering decent bass without overwhelming, clear high notes, and soft, detailed vocals. Although it lacks a heavy feel, it is above average for its price range.
Regarding front seat position, due to the battery placement beneath the floor, the seat mounting points are slightly higher compared to other sedans in the same class. You can see the large car hood easily, so if you prefer a "battle" seating posture similar to lying in a bathtub, it might not be suitable. However, the front seats are spacious and comfortable, ideal for those who enjoy a leisurely driving experience.
The rear seat’s H-point is also slightly high, but it offers good support, and the legs can fit into the space under the front seat. The backrest angle is somewhat upright.
Headroom is average; at around 1.74 meters tall, there’s about a fist’s worth of space above my head. The seats thoughtfully retain a split-fold feature and have safety belt buckles on both sides to prevent the belts from getting trapped when the seatback is folded and reinstalled.
Another commendable aspect is the retained USB ports in both the front and rear, with one Type-A and one Type-C each!
This is very important in today’s new cars. Many new cars only have Type-C ports, disregarding that in many regions, electronic devices are updated more slowly than in first-tier cities. Hence, retaining Type-A ports deserves high praise.
Looking at the trunk, with a 550L capacity, it rivals some SUV models and is definitely sufficient for daily use. The interior is very neat and highly usable. However, due to the short tail, the opening edge isn’t very long, resulting in a slightly downward angle that might require bending down when loading larger items.
Now, let’s take it on the road.
Indeed, its persona is that of a pure executive sedan, and the impression it gives is summed up in one word—“soft.” Don’t expect any aggressive driving performance like the EV version.
Firstly, the power output style is akin to a CVT; in standard and ECO modes, it feels somewhat sluggish. However, before you know it, your speed easily surpasses 80 km/h. Its acceleration capability is definitely good, but the throttle response might not meet some "experienced drivers" expectations.
Even in SPORT mode, the impact at full throttle is only slightly stronger, and the engine activates when you press the pedal about 60%—the noise is acceptable, as the tire noise from the Gaoyao tires covers the engine sound.
Fortunately, the Seal DM-i has front dual-layer laminated glass, so engine and wind noise at low speeds are not too noticeable.
The chassis also exhibits a soft style. The steering feels heavy at low speeds, but becomes light once on the road. The damping is uniform and refined, with smooth and high-quality steering, but the electronic feel is a bit strong, and road feedback is minimal. The resistance gain with angle isn’t very noticeable.
The braking feel is linear, and the braking force is reassuring, with good control at the end of braking and a comfort stop function, so you don’t need to stomp on the pedal to activate AUTOHOLD.
The suspension tuning is reminiscent of Ford’s style, effectively filtering out small vibrations, suitable for handling gravel roads and paved surfaces. It can handle larger bumps at speeds of around 40-50 km/h, but uneven surfaces can cause a bit of discomfort.
With the large battery under the car serving as ballast, cornering is well-controlled with minimal body roll, and the body follow-up is acceptable. There’s no feeling of the chassis dragging the body through corners, so you can push it if you want. However, the power style will force you to stay calm. In fact, cruising comfortably on the road is what it’s best at.
Conclusion:
Finally, let’s discuss the configuration and price. With the “Glory Edition” released less than a year after launch, there are currently no discounts, and the Prestige version is priced at 169.800 RMB. Adding 7.500 RMB for insurance and other fees, the on-road price is around 180.000 RMB.
In my opinion, the Luxury and Prestige versions offer the best value for money. For higher-end configurations, you can spend an extra 10.000 RMB for the Honor version, which offers a more powerful 1.5T engine + 218-hp motor, 19-inch wheels, and Dynaudio sound system.
Overall, although it lacks the sporty feel of its EV sibling, the Seal DM-i’s overall quality is impressive. With its excellent interior, comfort, and cost-effectiveness, coupled with the DM-i’s fuel efficiency, it should have been a potential hit, facing competitors like the Accord and Camry without any inferiority.
Unfortunately, it’s overshadowed by its own older sibling—the BYD Han, which has a stable reputation in the mainstream market. If it could differentiate itself further from the Han, leaning more towards sportiness while maintaining comfort, it might stand out more easily.
