BYD Seal vs Tesla Model 3

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

BYD Seal

SEAL 82.5 kWh RWD Design (MY26)

£45,730 · 298 mi

Wins 7 of 13

Tesla Model 3

Model 3 RWD (Highland)

£37,990 · 280 mi

Wins 6 of 13

Our verdict

The BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 are both electric saloons in the large car class. The BYD Seal starts at £45,730 in the UK and the Tesla Model 3 at £37,990, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The Seal goes further, with about 298 miles of real-world range against 280 for the Model 3. On top of that, it is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 5.9 s against 6.2 s and has the longer warranty (6 years against 4).

The Model 3 is £7,740 cheaper to buy new (£37,990 against £45,730). On top of that, it charges faster on a rapid charger (110 kW against 100 kW on average, 10–80%), uses less energy (4.7 mi/kWh against 3.6 mi/kWh) and has the bigger boot (682 litres against 557).

Choose the BYD Seal if you want the longest range and more performance and the Tesla Model 3 if you want the lower price and quicker charging stops.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

BYD SealTesla Model 3

Price

Price new: £45,730on sale now; £37,990 (best)on sale now
Used from (estimated): –too new; £21,7002025 car
Price per mile of range: £153; £136 (best)

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 298 mi (best)480 km, estimate; 280 mi450 km
Range today, used (estimated): –; about 274 mi2025 car, est.
Efficiency: 3.6 mi/kWh172 Wh/km, estimate; 4.7 mi/kWh (best)133 Wh/km
Range with one 15-min stop: 315 mi507 km; 331 mi (best)533 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 100 kW10–80% average; 110 kW (best)10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 11 kW; 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Yes (best); No
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): No; No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): No; No

Battery

Usable battery: 82.5 kWh (best); 60 kWhestimate
Battery chemistry: LFP (lithium iron phosphate); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes; Yes

Body and performance

Body style: Saloon; Saloon
Size class: D · Large car; D · Large car
Seats: 5; 5
Drive: Rear-wheel drive; Rear-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 5.9 s (best)0–100 km/h; 6.2 s0–100 km/h
Weight: 2,130 kg; 1,847 kg

Size

Length: 4.80 m15 ft 9 in; 4.72 m15 ft 6 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.88 m6 ft 2 in; 1.85 m6 ft 1 in
Width with mirrors: 2.15 m7 ft 1 in; 2.09 m6 ft 10 in
Height: 1.46 m4 ft 9 in; 1.44 m4 ft 9 in
Wheelbase: 2.92 m9 ft 7 in; 2.88 m9 ft 5 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 557 litres; 682 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): 1,000 kg; 1,000 kg
Max payload: 446 kg (best)people and luggage; 417 kgpeople and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: 5 stars; –not tested yet

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 6 years (best)93,750 miles; 4 years60,000 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years (best)125,000 miles; 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity
Passes to next owner: Yes, with conditions; Yes

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2026 on; 2025–2026

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.