Check out the BYD Seal's 2 available trims

After introducing the fast but cushy Seal all-electric sedan in 2024, BYD Cars Philippines, under the distributorship of Ayala-led ACMobility, followed up with the debut of the new Seal Advanced trim in 2025. 

In a nutshell, the new variant promises better accessibility to BYD’s premier electric-powered sedan without compromising on comfort and safety. So, as of 2025, the Chinese car maker’s local arm now has two variants, the other being the slightly pricier Seal Performance. 

So, what are the key differences between the entry-level Seal Advanced and the top-of-the-line Performance trims? Let’s find out here for the benefit of the said model’s would-be adopters. 

BYD Seal Performance

Exterior

Concerning its styling, the BYD Seal Performance comes with a sharp, long-slung outline that was obviously optimized for aerodynamics. Complementing the appearance of the sedan are a pair of squinty-eyed LED headlamp clusters, a hefty rear diffuser, an eye-catching LED taillight bar, and a set of 19-inch wheels. 

The model’s extensive list of exterior features also includes the following: 

• Adaptive exterior lighting functionality
• Automatic headlamp functionality
• Power fold and adjust side mirrors
• Power trunk
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear windshield defogger
• Panoramic glass roof with shade insert
• Flush door handles

In terms of size, the BYD Seal Performance has sufficient girth to face the likes of the BMW 3-series, Lexus IS300h, and Toyota Camry. For reference, here’s a table listing the dimensions of the aforementioned trim: 

Model	BYD Seal Performance
Dimensions (L X W X H in mm)	4,800x1,875x1,460
Wheelbase (mm)	2,920
Ground clearance (mm)	120 (unladen)

Interior

Step inside the top-spec Seal Performance, and you’ll be greeted by a cushy but stylistically hyper-modern cabin filled with plenty of creature comforts. 

Starting with its well-arranged dashboard, the electric vehicle (EV) comes with a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is outputted inside the cabin by a 12-piece Dynaudio speaker system, and the central display also has built-in audio streaming, 4G connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a voice assistant. 

The driver of the Seal Performance, on the other hand, has access to the following:

• Electronic parking brake
• 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster
• Auto brake hold
• NFC card reader
• Keyless entry
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Drive mode selector
• Front cabin armrest
• Heads-up display

For comfort, the model’s front seats are heated and ventilated. The driver’s seat, specifically, offers eight-way adjustability, as well as a power-adjustable lumbar support. All seats and some sections of the interior door panels and dashboard are also upholstered with a combination of leather and suede. 

Keeping all five occupants of the Seal Performance cool is a dual-zone automatic climate control system with rear vents. To ensure the best air quality inside the vehicle, it comes with a negative ion air purifier, a particulate matter 2.5 filter, and a cellulose nitrate filter. 

Other notable interior features found inside the Seal Performance are two wireless smartphone charging pads, type A and type C USB ports, an ambient lighting system, grab rails, a center console compartment, and several bottle/cup holders. 

Safety

As expected from a modern vehicle, the BYD Seal Performance comes with a comprehensive safety kit. To be more specific, it features an anti-lock braking system, stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, ISOFIX child seat anchors, dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, front and rear side airbags, as well as a total of six parking sensors. 

The aforementioned are reinforced by several advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) listed here: 

• 360-degree view camera
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Lane change assist
• Lane departure warning
• Intelligent speed limit control
• Traffic sign recognition
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert and braking
• Blind spot detection
• Intelligent torque adaption control

Powertrain

Propelling the BYD Seal Performance are two electric motors paired with an 82.6 kilowatt-hour (kWh) version of the brand’s Blade battery. In total, the all-wheel-drive model can produce up to 522 horsepower (hp) and 670 Newton-meters of torque. With its maximum output, the model can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in just 3.8 seconds. 

Additionally, the Seal Performance has a range of 580 kilometers (km), according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). When utilizing a 150 kilowatt (kW) direct current charger, the Performance trim’s battery levels can climb from 30-80 percent in just 30 minutes. 

Ride quality and handling for the top-spec Seal are ensured by a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link suspension for the rear, which are both equipped with frequency selective damping shocks. Braking, meanwhile, is provided by front and rear discs (drilled front). 

BYD Seal Advanced

Where styling is concerned, the Seal Advanced looks identical to the top-spec Seal Performance. It carries the same slick-looking body outline, and it essentially has the same set of exterior features, as well. The only thing BYD changed for the Advanced’s exterior is its lack of a power trunk door and its set of smaller 18-inch wheels. 

The story remains the same for its interior. The Advanced has kept many of the features present on the Performance, save for a few exceptions. For example, its driver’s seat lacks heating, ventilation, and power-adjustable lumbar support. 

Additionally, the Advanced also has a simpler 10-piece speaker set. It likewise lacks the ambient lighting system and heads-up display, which are both available in the Performance version.

With regard to its safety kit, most are carried over from the top-spec trim, but it doesn’t have intelligent torque adaption control.

The Seal Advanced is still a peppy ride, but it utilizes a far less powerful motor and battery. It comes standard with a single motor and rear-wheel-drive setup, which can generate up to 200 hp and 310 Nm of torque. Due to its smaller 61.40 kWh battery, it also has a slightly shorter range of 510 km. 

As a result of their powertrain differences, the Seal Advanced is markedly slower, with a 7.5-second zero to 100 kph time of 7.5 seconds. Regardless, its DC charging capacity can still increase its state of charge from 30-80 percent in 30 minutes.

Similar to the Performance, the Advanced also has front and rear discs, but the pair for its front end are not drilled. The lower-spec variant also lacks the frequency-selective damping shocks present on the top-spec trim. 

On the other hand, the BYD Seal Performance has a curb weight of 2,185 kilograms (kg), which is 263 kg more compared to the Advanced.  The Performance trim is definitely heavier compared to the Advanced, but it doesn't seem to impact its peppiness. 

For a more clear-cut comparison of the two trims’ mechanical specifications and price, refer to the table below:

Model	BYD Seal Performance	BYD Seal Advanced
Motor setup	Dual motor (front and rear)	Single motor (rear)
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive	Rear-wheel-drive
Range	580 km	510 km
Battery	82.6 kWh	61.4 kWh
Horsepower	522	200
Torque	670 Nm	310 Nm
Zero-100 kph time	3.8 seconds	7.5 seconds
Price	P2.548 million	P1.998 million

 

Final thoughts

While the BYD Seal Advanced is significantly more affordable than the Seal Performance, it still promises high levels of comfort, safety, and performance. So in general, it is still a peppy EV with a hefty amount of range. 

Otherwise, the BYD Seal Performance fits the bill as the go-to trim for folks who want to experience sports car levels of grunt. For perspective, it has the acceleration to rival the likes of the Porsche 911 Carerra S. It even has a semi-adaptive suspension system for a more comfortable driving experience. 

Like we always say, however, folks who are seriously considering the BYD Seal should take a chance to test drive both trims first. Even if you’re the kind of buyer who has already set his or her sights on either trim, it will be good for you to experience what both have to offer. Doing so will provide you with a better overall understanding of the EV nameplate, after all. 

Also read: 

BYD Seal: strengths and weaknesses

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