BYD Seal vs Tesla Model 3
Verdict
The BYD Seal asks more money but gives you the bigger battery, longer claimed range and slightly quicker sprint: 82.6 kWh, 570 km and 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The Tesla Model 3 is RM24,200 cheaper, has a much larger 594-litre boot and a higher 201 km/h top speed. Both are CBU, rear-wheel-drive electric sedans with five seats and single-ratio transmissions, so this is a close fight. For Malaysian use, the Seal’s range advantage matters; the Model 3’s boot and lower price matter just as much.
Pick the BYD Seal if you want the longer 570 km range, bigger 82.6 kWh battery and quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want to spend less and need the much larger 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Seal RM171,800; Tesla Model 3 RM147,600
- Battery: BYD Seal 82.6 kWh; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh
- EV range: BYD Seal 570 km; Tesla Model 3 534 km
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Seal 5.9 s; Tesla Model 3 6.2 s
- Boot space: BYD Seal 400 L; Tesla Model 3 594 L
- Top speed: BYD Seal 180 km/h; Tesla Model 3 201 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 171,800 | RM 147,600✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Motor | Single motor | Electric |
| Power | 308 hp | — |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.9 s✓ | 6.2 s |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 82.6 kWh✓ | 62.5 kWh |
| EV range | 570 km✓ | 534 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mm | — |
| Boot space | 400 L | 594 L✓ |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 335 | RM 280✓ |
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.
Seal
- Longer 570 km EV range
- Bigger 82.6 kWh battery
- Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Costs RM24,200 more
- Smaller 400-litre boot
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
Model 3
- Lower RM147,600 price
- Larger 594-litre boot
- Higher 201 km/h top speed
- Shorter 534 km EV range
- Smaller 62.5 kWh battery
- Fewer airbags at 7 versus 9
Seal vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BYD Seal or Tesla Model 3 better?
The BYD Seal is better for range and acceleration, with 570 km and 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The Tesla Model 3 is better for price and boot space, at RM147,600 with 594 litres.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Seal costs RM171,800, while the Tesla Model 3 costs RM147,600. That makes the Tesla RM24,200 cheaper.
Which has the longer EV range?
The BYD Seal has the longer claimed EV range at 570 km, compared with 534 km for the Tesla Model 3. The BYD also has the larger battery, 82.6 kWh versus 62.5 kWh.