Verdict
The BYD Seal is a larger, quicker electric sedan: its 308-hp, 360-Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the 82.56-kWh battery is rated for 570 km. But its 400-litre boot trails the Honda’s 519 litres. The RM86,900 gap is substantial, although the City is the pragmatic ownership-cost entry with a 1.5-litre, 119-hp petrol engine rated at 5.6 L/100 km and RM90 annual road tax versus RM335. The Seal counters with a 15.6-inch screen, 360-degree camera and 12-speaker audio.
Pick the BYD Seal if rapid 5.9-second performance, a 570-km EV range and substantially richer equipment justify the higher outlay.
Pick the Honda City if you want the RM84,900 entry point, a 519-litre boot and petrol-powered simplicity.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Seal RM171,800; Honda City RM84,900.
- Power and torque: BYD Seal 308 hp and 360 Nm; Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Seal 5.9 seconds; Honda City 10.2 seconds.
- Range/economy: BYD Seal 570 km EV range; Honda City 5.6 L/100 km rated economy.
- Length and wheelbase: BYD Seal 4,800 mm and 2,920 mm; Honda City 4,580 mm and 2,600 mm.
- Boot and road tax: BYD Seal 400 litres and RM335/year; Honda City 519 litres and RM90/year.
Seal
- 308 hp and 360 Nm with a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 570-km EV range, 150-kW DC charging and 3.3-kW V2L.
- 360-degree camera, blind spot information system and 12-speaker Dynaudio audio.
- 400-litre boot is 119 litres smaller than the City’s.
- RM335 annual road tax versus the City’s RM90.
- Higher purchase price.
City
- 519-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 1.5-litre petrol engine rated at 5.6 L/100 km.
- RM90 annual road tax.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds versus the Seal’s 308 hp, 360 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- No blind spot information system or 360-degree camera.
- Manual front seats and halogen projector headlamps versus the Seal’s powered ventilated seats and LED projectors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM171,800 | RM84,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 82.56 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 570 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.9 seconds✓ | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 196 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,580 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 2,055 kg | 1,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 400 litres | 519 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R19 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R19 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective Damping | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Lead Car Departure Notification |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335 | RM90✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Seal & City for sale
Seal vs City FAQ
Is the BYD Seal or Honda City better?
The BYD Seal is better for acceleration, EV range and equipment. Choose the Honda City when the lower purchase cost, RM90 road tax and 519-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Seal costs RM86,900 more than the Honda City. Its higher cost brings a 308-hp electric motor, 570-km rated range and 150-kW DC charging.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, compared with 400 litres in the BYD Seal. The Honda gives you 119 litres more luggage capacity.