A BARGAIN saloon which is a dead ringer for the Porsche Taycan is getting a bolder new look – and a host of new and improved features.
Chinese giants BYD, who are becoming a mainstream favourite among UK drivers, is rapidly expanding its UK line-up with new models such as the Sealion 5 and Atto 2.
But it is also turning its attention to refreshing existing cars, including an updated version of the lovely BYD Seal – the brand’s stylish, fully electric saloon which rivals the Tesla Model 3.
The Seal, which arrived in the UK in 2023, has been forced to raise its game as key rivals such as the Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the aforementioned Model 3 have all been updated more recently – while fresh competition has also arrived in the shape of the impressive MG IM5.
The 2026 update has been described by Auto Express as being mostly focused on improving the car’s practicality and safety tech 0 rather than fundamentally changing the car’s design or mechanical package.
Visually, the differences are subtle, with a new 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior paint colours; Ruby Red, Obsidian Black and Lavender Grey.
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BYD has also adjusted the branding at the rear, with the boot logo moved to the top-centre above the full-width LED light bar.
Ordering on the new-look motor is already open, and BYD has kept both pricing and trim structure the same.
The Design version remains priced at £45,730 and the higher-spec Excellence is £48,730.
Inside, the changes are even smaller, with the removal of the BYD logo from the Nappa leather seat headrests and the removal of the NFC branding from the central armrest.
However, the update is more meaningful in its technology and usability – with BYD adding a new driver-monitoring system that it says meets the latest and toughest safety requirements.
Perhaps best of all, it is introducing a Bluetooth key that enables smartphone-based access.
For those with plenty to carry, the Seal’s practicality has upped its game with a larger rear boot – rising from 400 litres to 485 litres and the addition of tethering hooks.
The front boot – or frunk – has also been revised with a new casing that increases its capacity by 19 litres to 72 litres – enough to hold a charging cable or even a cabin-sized suitcase.
Equipment levels remain unchanged between the two trims, with the Design model still offering 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, electrically adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera system and an electric tailgate, while the Excellence adds extras such as a head-up display and, crucially, four-wheel drive.
And mechanically, the Seal’s performance figures and hardware are also carried over, with the rear-wheel-drive Design producing 308bhp – which is good for a 0 to 62mph time of 5.9 seconds.
The dual-motor, four-wheel-drive Excellence delivers 523bhp and cuts the sprint to 3.8 seconds, retaining semi-adaptive suspension with variable-frequency dampers to keep that power in check.
Range and charging are unchanged too, with 354 miles for the Design and 323 miles for the Excellence.
Incidentally, the Porsche Taycan, as its very cheapest, is around £88,000 in the UK – nearly enough for two Design variant Seals.