We Took BYD’s Seal Saloon On A Tour Of Switzerland

Seal of approval? Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby drive China’s classy Tesla Model 3 rival: the all-electric BYD Seal saloon.

Test Drive: BYD Seal

Jeremy: Sixty years ago, a small two-door car drove off a container ship and onto British soil for the first time. The unremarkable Daihatsu Compagno was just £799 but still offered the sought-after luxuries of the day, like a radio, clock and cigarette lighter.

Offered as a saloon, estate or pretty convertible, the light blue Compagno was the first-ever Japanese car to be sold in the UK. Back then, Autocar magazine described it as the start of the long-threatened Japanese ‘invasion’ – a warning that ultimately went unheeded.

Today there’s another invasion of low-priced cars destined for UK shores from the east – this time from China. 

When the government ban on petrol and diesel vehicles takes effect here in 2030, Chinese cars are expected to make up a staggering one quarter of all EVs sold in the UK. 

And among the best is the BYD Seal, which has already established itself as a formidable contender in the electric saloon market, directly challenging the popular Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4.

Chosen for its premium-feel interior, striking design and generous levels of equipment, the Seal has proven it can swim with the big fish – especially with prices starting under £46,000.

We’re driving the BYD in Switzerland, where a fantastic network of public chargers and the Seal’s real-world battery range of around 280 miles makes it a compelling alternative to the pricey BMW and a minimalist Tesla, which comes fully loaded with an image problem.

Lausanne on Lake Geneva is internationally recognised as a leader in urban sustainability and eco-tourism, often highlighted for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity and extensive tree-planting initiatives. Electric buses, extensive parkland and strictly imposed night-time speed limits of 18 mph (to reduce noise) put it at the front of ‘Swisstainability’ – a label the city uses to highlight eco efforts.

The Royal Savoy in Lausanne

The Burgenstock Collection’s Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne has been welcoming guests here for more than a century but is committed to the modern-day cause, winning the Green Globe Certification for its efforts. Grand-style luxury with faultless service and a highly-praised spa, this is a five-star destination in every sense. And in a car park of swanky Porsches and Aston Martins, BYD’s Seal more than holds its own. It looks classier than its German rivals, backed up by a stylish interior with quilted seats and a premium quality trim.

Naturally, it can’t quite match the grandeur of a high-ceiling room at the Royal Savoy, though. An outstanding choice for a luxury getaway, the hotel is a haven of relaxation from the moment the concierge opens your car door, to the cheery wave on departure.

Less easy to live with is the Seal’s 15.6-inch touchscreen, controlling many of the car’s functions. Short cuts to some, like cabin temperature and fan speed, are achieved by swiping the screen with a finger – but it takes some getting used to. Fun and comfortable to drive, standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, three driving modes and the choice of an all-wheel drive model, which reduces the Seal’s 0-62mph time to a swift 3.8 seconds.

Like it or not, Chinese cars are soon going to dominate the UK car market. The Seal is one of the best you can buy right now.

Jessica: If you don’t fancy a Seal, what about a Dolphin hatchback? That’s right, BYD seems addicted to a nautical theme with ‘marine aesthetics’.

While not a budget car, the Seal typically starts at a lower price point than equivalent European saloons, while offering more standard technology. If you can get to grips with the high levels of technology onboard – and the sometime infuriating infotainment screen – you’d be mad not to take one for a test drive.

Discover more about the BYD Seal at byd.com

Rooms at the Royal Savoy Lausanne can be booked at royalsavoylausanne.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.