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BYD Seal vs Tesla Model Y
Selected trimDesignChange trim354 mi · 82.5 kWh · £45,730
Selected trimRWDChange trim314 mi · Not available · £41,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Seal leads on city driving, while the Tesla Model Y leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Seal if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model Y if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model Y leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BYD
6.3
Tesla
6.5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeTesla
BYD
3.1
Tesla
5.8
FamilyTesla
BYD
6.7
Tesla
7.8
ChargingTesla
BYD
2.4
Tesla
7
Cost Per MileTesla
BYD
3.4
Tesla
7.7
City DrivingBYD
BYD
3.6
Tesla
3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Seal
Design
- 40 miles more WLTP range
- 1.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Tesla Model Y
RWD
- £3,740 cheaper
- 454 litres more boot space
- 25 kW faster rapid charging
- 28 Wh/km more efficient
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,730 | £41,990 (better) |
| Official range | 354 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Boot space | 400 L | 854 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 37 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Seal
Tesla Model Y
Length
BYD Seal4,800mm
Tesla Model Y4,794mm-6mm
Width
BYD Seal1,875mm-106mm
Tesla Model Y1,981mm
Height
BYD Seal1,460mm-161mm
Tesla Model Y1,621mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,875 mm (better) | 1,981 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,150 mm | 2,129 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m (better) | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 525 mm spare (better) | 419 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 400 L | 854 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 2118 L |
| Frunk | 53 L | 117 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Seal
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 11.2 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of saloon EVs in our database.
Tesla Model Y
- 3rd-largest boot among SUVs in our catalogue at 854 L.
- A 117 L frunk, one of 6 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 117 L or more.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Seal Design |  Tesla Model Y RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.80m | 4.79m-6mm |
| Width | 1.88m | 1.98m+106mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.15m | 2.13m-21mm |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.62m+161mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.92m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 162mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 400L | 854L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 2118L |
| Frunk | 53L | 117L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.2m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,055kg | 1,906kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82.5kWh | Not available |
| Range (WLTP) | 354 mi (better) | 314 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,730 | £41,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 354 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 244 miles | 251 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 37 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 166 Wh/km | 138 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 82.5 kWh | Not available |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 230 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 360 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Seal
Design
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Seal
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.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £30,677 | £38,121 |
| Average used price | £31,449 | £40,783 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 16 listings (better) | 7 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £14,281 below new | £1,207 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.4% over ~6 months | Down 9.2% over ~6 months |
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.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
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)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model Y RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
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.
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Owners love
- Spacious interior with generous cargo capacity makes it practical for families, easily accommodating five passengers plus luggage
- Low running costs versus petrol and diesel, especially with home charging
- Outstanding Supercharger network makes long-distance travel effortless and enables trip planning comparable to petrol cars
Watch out for
- Depreciation concerns affect both purchase values and PCP lease terms as rapid model iterations reduce resale viability
- Autopilot struggles reliably with small roads, parked cars, junctions, and speed limit changes despite heavy marketing
- Harsh suspension ride remains problematic for some owners, though newer generation improvements are noticeable
Owner tips
- Consider a nearly new or pre-facelift car over new to limit depreciation
- Choose LFP battery models if available to avoid strict battery charging discipline and benefit from greater longevity
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Seal
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model Y
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Seal
- £28,5822025Car360View
- £30,6992025Car360View
- £29,6822025Car360View
Tesla Model Y
- £38,1212025Car360View
- £43,4442025Castle EVView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Seal worth the extra £3,740 over the Tesla Model Y?
The BYD Seal costs £3,740 more than the Tesla Model Y. For that premium it adds 40 miles more WLTP range and a 1.0s quicker 0-62mph time. The Tesla Model Y is not just cheaper - it also offers 25 kW faster peak rapid charging, 454 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 138 versus 166 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model Y comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y is £3,740 cheaper to buy. The Tesla Model Y is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the BYD Seal, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model Y comes out roughly £3,900 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 244 miles for the BYD Seal and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model Y?
The BYD Seal is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 106 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 525 mm of total clearance for the BYD Seal and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. The BYD Seal also turns in a 0.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model Y?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Seal and 90% for the Tesla Model Y. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. 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 BYD Seal comparisons
More Tesla Model Y 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 BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y rank among long-range EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model Y 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .