Loading comparison
BMW i4 vs BYD Seal
Selected trimDesignChange trim354 mi · 82.5 kWh · £45,730
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the BYD Seal counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i4 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BMW
5.9
BYD
6.3
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
4.1
BYD
3.1
Family
BMW
6.4
BYD
6.7
Too close to call
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.7
BYD
2.4
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
4.1
BYD
3.4
City Driving
BMW
3.2
BYD
3.6
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW i4
BYD Seal
Length
BMW i44,783mm-17mm
BYD Seal4,800mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-23mm
BYD Seal1,875mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm-12mm
BYD Seal1,460mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD SealDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,800 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,875 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm (better) | 2,150 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 525 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i4
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
BYD Seal
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- At 4,800 mm, shorter than 80% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 11.2 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of saloon EVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  BYD Seal Design |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.80m+17mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.88m+23mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.15m+77mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.46m+12mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.92m+64mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 400L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 53L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 11.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg | 2,055kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh (better) | 82.5kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi (better) | 354 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 | £45,730 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2023+ |
* BMW i4: Launch figures. Cars built from July 2024 (facelift) have 81.3 kWh usable, 205 kW DC charging and up to 373 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD SealDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles (better) | 354 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles (better) | 244 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min (better) | 37 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km (better) | 166 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh | 82.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
BYD Seal
Design
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i4
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist64%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BYD Seal Design
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users82%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners praise the composed ride, quiet cabin and BMW build quality, and many compare it favourably with the Tesla Model 3 for comfort.
- The eDrive40 is widely seen as the sweet spot: rear-wheel drive, lighter than the M50 and with the most range.
- Many owners report around 280 to 300 miles in mild weather from an eDrive40, and efficiency of around 4 miles per kWh on gentle runs.
Watch out for
- Winter range falls a long way, with several owners reporting around 180 to 220 miles in cold, wet weather.
- The rear seats are tight for tall adults, the doors are small and the floor is raised by the battery.
- It is heavy for its size, at about 2.1 to 2.3 tonnes, which owners feel in hard cornering and in efficiency.
Owner tips
- Sit in the back on the test drive if tall adults will use the rear seats regularly.
- Check the tyres and their brand closely; budget for a set if they are low, and prefer smaller wheels for range.
BYD Seal
Design
Owners love
- Owners rate the Seal as excellent value: equipment and performance comparable with Mercedes or BMW for far less, with no option-pack creep.
- It is quick (the Excellence especially), quiet and comfortable on long journeys, with good rear seats and space.
- The exterior design and well-built interior impress, and owners prefer the interior to a Tesla Model 3's.
Watch out for
- Driver-assistance warnings and lane-keeping are intrusive and often need turning off at every start.
- Winter range falls to about 200-250 miles, and 150 kW peak charging is only average.
- Too many functions are in the touchscreen, which can be laggy.
Owner tips
- Charge to 100% when you need it: the LFP battery is designed for it.
- Turn down the safety-system alert volume and set your preferred assists at the start of each drive.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BYD Seal
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £25,6992024Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
- £35,6992024Car360View
BYD Seal
- £28,5822025Car360View
- £30,6992025Car360View
- £29,6822025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i4 worth the extra £7,675 over the BYD Seal?
The BMW i4 costs £7,675 more than the BYD Seal. For that premium it adds 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 70 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i4 or the BYD Seal?
The BYD Seal is £7,675 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Seal comes out roughly £7,635 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i4 and BYD Seal like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 244 miles for the BYD Seal - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i4 goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 31-37 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the BYD Seal?
The two are within 23 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 525 mm of total clearance for the BYD Seal. The BYD Seal also turns in a 1.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the BYD Seal?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 90% for the BYD Seal. That gives the BYD Seal a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Seal's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i4's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i4 comparisons
More BYD Seal comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Seal rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i4 (2021 on): eDrive35, eDrive40 or M50, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW i4 buyer’s guide: eDrive35, eDrive40, M50 and M60 compared, the battery recalls on early cars, warranty left, real-world and winter range, rear space, tyres, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Seal (2023 on): Design vs Excellence, the Long Warranty & What to Pay
A used BYD Seal buyer’s guide: Design RWD vs Excellence AWD, the 2026 update, BYD’s 6-year warranty and 8-year / 250,000 km battery cover, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay (nearly-new ones are about a third off) and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .