Car Buyer's Guide

BYD Seal vs Toyota Corolla

BYD Seal

BYD Seal

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Verdict

The BYD Seal costs RM27,000 more at RM171,800, but brings a 308 hp, 360 Nm rear motor, 82.56 kWh battery and claimed 570 km EV range. Its 150 kW DC charging, 800V architecture and 3.3 kW V2L make it the more technically ambitious choice for a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly. The Toyota Corolla at RM144,800 is the smaller, 690 kg lighter petrol sedan, with a useful 470-litre boot and full-size spare. It is close on core parking and cruise equipment, but the Seal has far more driver-assistance hardware.

Seal

Pick the BYD Seal if you can charge an EV and want 308 hp, 570 km claimed range, 150 kW DC charging and blind-spot assistance.

Corolla

Pick the Toyota Corolla if you want to spend RM27,000 less, carry more luggage in its 470-litre boot and retain a full-size spare wheel.

Key differences

  • Price: BYD Seal RM171,800; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
  • Powertrain: BYD Seal one 308 hp/360 Nm electric motor; Toyota Corolla 1,798 cc 137 hp/172 Nm petrol engine.
  • Energy storage: BYD Seal 82.56 kWh battery with 570 km EV range; Toyota Corolla 50-litre fuel tank.
  • DC charging: BYD Seal 150 kW; Toyota Corolla has no DC charging capability.
  • Dimensions: BYD Seal 4,800 mm long with a 2,920 mm wheelbase; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.
  • Boot space: BYD Seal 400 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.

Seal

  • 308 hp and 360 Nm rear motor
  • 570 km claimed EV range and 150 kW DC charging
  • Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
  • RM27,000 dearer to buy
  • 400-litre boot is 70 litres smaller
  • Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare

Corolla

  • RM144,800 entry price
  • 470-litre boot and full-size 17-inch alloy spare
  • 1,365 kg kerb weight versus the Seal's 2,055 kg
  • 137 hp and 172 Nm are well below the Seal's 308 hp and 360 Nm
  • No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
  • No EV range, DC charging or V2L function
Price & overview
PriceRM171,800RM144,800
Body typeSedanSedan
SegmentCompact ExecutiveC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM335RM279
Powertrain
Engine Tech800V architecture16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing
Capacity1,798 cc
Horsepower137 hp
Torque172 Nm
FuelElectricPetrol
Bore80.5 mm
Compression Ratio10
Number of Motors1
Motor Horsepower308 hp
Motor Torque360 Nm
Battery Capacity82.56 kWh
EV Range570 km
Charging Rate (AC)7 kW
Charging Rate (DC)150 kW
V2L3.3 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticCVT Automatic
Transmission Name7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT
Transmission ManufacturerAisin
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h5.9 seconds
Top Speed180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,800 mm4,630 mm
Width1,875 mm1,780 mm
Height1,460 mm1,435 mm
Wheelbase2,920 mm2,700 mm
Weight2,055 kg1,365 kg
Fuel Tank50 litres
Doors44
Seats55
Boot Space400 litres470 litres
Front Tyre235/45R19225/45R17
Rear Tyre235/45R19225/45R17
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair KitFull-size 17" Alloy
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 6 QDunlop SP Sport Maxx 050
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)Thailand (CBU)
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkDouble Wishbone
Front Wheels19" Alloys17" Alloy
Rear Wheels19" Alloys17" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesFrequency Selective Damping
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars
ANCAP5 stars
ASEAN NCAP5 stars
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee AirbagDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear SeatAvailable on two outer rear passenger seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionNo
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projector with Auto High BeamBi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPower-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear AC VentsRear Vents
SunroofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers1 Front
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadePanoramic Glass Roof Shade
Audio15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio System9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button Start
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Stop and GoAdaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go
Tiptronic
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationPowered BootRemote Control Activation
Parking Sensor Front2 Sensors2 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree CameraYes, With 360 Degree Camera
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage Manufacturer150,000 kmUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer6 years5 years
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty

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 vs Corolla FAQ

Is the BYD Seal or Toyota Corolla better?

The BYD Seal is better equipped for an EV buyer, with 308 hp, 570 km claimed range, 150 kW DC charging and additional active-safety functions. The Corolla is better if lower purchase cost, a 470-litre boot and a full-size spare matter more.

What is the price difference?

The BYD Seal costs RM171,800 and the Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, so the Seal is RM27,000 more expensive.

Which has the larger boot?

The Toyota Corolla has the larger boot at 470 litres, 70 litres more than the BYD Seal's 400 litres. The Corolla also carries a full-size 17-inch alloy spare, while the Seal uses a tyre repair kit.

More comparisons

Buying one of these? Sell your old car, get paid in 24 hours