2024 BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range) Review

With the competition in the D-segment of the Malaysian electric vehicle market gradually heating up, consumer demand for models in this class is no longer limited to basic commuting needs but now places greater emphasis on a balance of range, features, and driving quality. The 2024 BYD Seal Premium, as the long-range version, establishes a unique selling point within its price range with an official range of 650km and 308PS rear-wheel-drive power. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify if it can deliver on its official figures in real-world scenarios while also determining whether it meets the dual needs of family users and young consumers in terms of space, features, and driving experience.

The first time you see the Seal Premium, its overall exterior design is indeed very distinctive. The front features a closed grille combined with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The lines of the lower front bumper are robust and are equipped with front fog lights, giving it a sporty yet steady look. The flowing lines on the side of the car extend from the front to the rear, with a recessed design at the lower part of the doors that, paired with 19-inch wheels, enhances the sense of layering on the side profile. At the rear, the standout feature is the through-type LED taillights, which are striking when illuminated. The design of the rear bumper echoes that of the front, and the diffuser-shaped elements below add to its sporty appeal. The overall lines and detailed treatment of the vehicle make it stand out in its class.

Sitting inside, the first thing you notice is the texture of the interior materials. Most areas of the dashboard are wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by silver trim and piano lacquer panels, creating an overall atmosphere that leans towards minimalist luxury. The center console features a 15.6-inch rotatable touchscreen with smooth operation, integrated with a smart system that supports common functions with clear interface logic. The instrument cluster is fully digital, providing rich information, and the HUD (head-up display) is a standard feature, eliminating the need to frequently look down at the instrument panel during daily driving. The multi-functional steering wheel is made of leather, offering a comfortable grip with reasonably arranged buttons. Regarding the seats, the driver seat supports electric adjustment, the front seats provide good support, and the cushioning is relatively soft, making long drives less tiring. The rear seats also perform well in terms of space. The 2920mm wheelbase advantage is evident here, as a 175cm passenger sitting in the back has about two-fists worth of legroom and one-fist worth of headroom, ensuring they do not feel constrained. The rear also features independent air conditioning vents and power outlets, which are convenient for daily use. The trunk has a capacity of 400L, sufficient for the storage needs of a typical family trip. The rear seats also support a 60:40 split-folding configuration, allowing for expanded storage space when necessary.

When you start the vehicle, the first thing you notice is the quietness, which is expected for an electric car. Pressing down on the accelerator pedal provides a very direct response, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.9 seconds is indeed palpable, as you can feel the pushback during the actual driving experience. During daily driving, the power delivery is linear, and there are no abrupt movements, even at low speeds. Switching to sports mode makes the power output more aggressive, making overtaking much more confident. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise direction with no noticeable looseness, making daily driving very easy. The chassis features a combination of front double-wishbone suspension and rear multi-link suspension, tuned for comfort without sacrificing support. On bumpy roads, the suspension absorbs most of the shocks well, making the vehicle interior feel less bumpy. When taking corners, body roll is well controlled, and stability is excellent. The overall quietness during daily driving is also commendable, with only slight tire and wind noise creeping in at high speeds, which does not affect conversation inside the cabin. The regenerative braking system offers different levels of adjustment, and the highest level of braking force is not too abrupt, making it easy to adapt to during daily driving.

This test drive focuses on the range performance. The official range is 650km. We drove part of the journey in the city and part on the highway. The energy consumption in city conditions is approximately 15kWh/100km, while on the highway it is around 18kWh/100km. Overall, the range achievement rate is about 85%, which is a decent performance for a long-range version. The official fast-charging time is 0.6 hours; in our actual test, it took about 40 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%. Slow charging, on the other hand, requires 15.2 hours, making it suitable for home use with a slow-charging station. In terms of braking performance, the brake pedal feels linear, the braking distance is short, and it gives a lot of confidence in daily driving. Regarding safety features, 8 airbags, ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic imaging, autonomous emergency braking, and other functions all come as standard, bringing considerable convenience and safety to daily driving.

Overall, the 2024 BYD Seal Premium has very apparent core advantages: long range, rich configurations, spacious interior, and good driving quality. Compared with competitors in the same class, its price is RM179,800 and comes standard with features such as a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, HUD head-up display, 360-degree panoramic imaging, and more, offering excellent value for money. During the actual experience, its spacious interior can meet the needs of family users, while its power and driving quality can attract younger consumers.

In summary, the Seal Premium is a very well-balanced vehicle. Whether you are a family user who prioritizes range and configurations, or a young person seeking driving quality and technology features, it can meet your needs. Its 8-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty also provides consumers with added peace of mind. Among electric vehicles in the same class, its overall performance is commendable and worth considering.