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BYD Seal vs Tesla Model S (2016-2019)
Selected trimDesignChange trim354 mi · 82.5 kWh · £45,730
Selected trim75D · 2016-19Change trim259 mi · 75 kWh · £75,850
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Seal leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Tesla Model S stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Seal if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Seal wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.3
Tesla
4.2
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
3.1
Tesla
1.9
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.7
Tesla
6.2
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
3.4
Tesla
1.2
City DrivingBYD
BYD
3.6
Tesla
1.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Seal
Design
- £30,120 cheaper
- 95 miles more WLTP range
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 24 Wh/km more efficient
- 0.6 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,730 (better) | £75,850 |
| Official range | 354 miles (better) | 259 miles |
| Boot space | 400 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 37 min (better) | 40 min |
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BYD Seal
Tesla Model S
Length
BYD Seal4,800mm-179mm
Tesla Model S4,979mm
Width
BYD Seal1,875mm-89mm
Tesla Model S1,964mm
Height
BYD Seal1,460mm
Tesla Model S1,445mm-15mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,979 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,875 mm (better) | 1,964 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,150 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m (better) | 11.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 525 mm spare (better) | 436 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 400 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1645 L |
| Frunk | 53 L | 150 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Seal
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 11.2 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of saloon EVs in our database.
Tesla Model S
- 1st-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 745 L.
- A 150 L frunk, one of 4 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 150 L or more.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Seal Design |  Tesla Model S 75D |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.80m | 4.98m+179mm |
| Width | 1.88m | 1.96m+89mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.15m | 2.19m+39mm |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.45m-15mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.92m | 2.96m+40mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 137mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 400L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1645L |
| Frunk | 53L | 150L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.2m (better) | 11.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,055kg (better) | 2,108kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82.5kWh (better) | 75kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 354 mi (better) | 259 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 120kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,730 (better) | £75,850 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2016–2019 |
* Tesla Model S: NEDC-era estimate — official WLTP not published for this variant
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 354 miles (better) | 259 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 244 miles (better) | 198 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 37 min (better) | 40 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 120 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 166 Wh/km (better) | 190 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 82.5 kWh (better) | 72.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 230 kW | 283 kW (better) |
| Torque | 360 Nm | 430 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Seal
Design
Tesla Model S
75D
7.8/10
average across 5 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Top Gear8/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Seal
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £30,677 | £10,566 |
| Average used price | £31,449 | £14,565 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 16 listings | 25 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.4% over ~6 months | Down 50.1% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BYD Seal Design
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users82%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model S 75D
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant82%
Child Occupant77%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist71%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD SealDesign | Tesla Model S75D |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 240,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BYD Seal
Design
Owners love
- Owners rate the Seal as excellent value: equipment and performance comparable with Mercedes or BMW for far less, with no option-pack creep.
- It is quick (the Excellence especially), quiet and comfortable on long journeys, with good rear seats and space.
- The exterior design and well-built interior impress, and owners prefer the interior to a Tesla Model 3's.
Watch out for
- Driver-assistance warnings and lane-keeping are intrusive and often need turning off at every start.
- Winter range falls to about 200-250 miles, and 150 kW peak charging is only average.
- Too many functions are in the touchscreen, which can be laggy.
Owner tips
- Charge to 100% when you need it: the LFP battery is designed for it.
- Turn down the safety-system alert volume and set your preferred assists at the start of each drive.
Tesla Model S
75D
Owners love
- Owners love the acceleration, quietness and long-distance comfort.
- Space for passengers and luggage makes it a practical family car.
- The Supercharger network is the most reliable way to travel long distances.
Watch out for
- Build quality is behind other premium makers: panel gaps, rattles, door handles and seals draw complaints.
- Heater and air-conditioning failures, flickering lights and connectivity faults are reported.
- The car is very wide, which makes parking and narrow lanes awkward.
Owner tips
- Check how much of the 8-year battery and drive unit warranty is left before buying.
- Confirm whether the car has the newer MCU2 media unit or the original MCU1.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Seal
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model S
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Seal
- £29,6822025Car360View
- £29,6722025Car360View
- £28,5822025Car360View
Tesla Model S
- £92,9952019EVHEROView
- £28,9952018EVHEROView
- £27,9952019EVHEROView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S worth the extra £30,120 over the BYD Seal?
The Tesla Model S costs £30,120 more than the BYD Seal. For that premium it adds 345 litres more boot space and 53 kW more power. The BYD Seal is not just cheaper - it also offers 95 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and lower energy use, 166 versus 190 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Seal comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model S?
The BYD Seal is £30,120 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Seal comes out roughly £30,240 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 244 miles for the BYD Seal and 198 miles for the Tesla Model S - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Seal goes roughly 47 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 37-40 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model S?
The BYD Seal is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 89 mm narrower than the Tesla Model S. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 525 mm of total clearance for the BYD Seal and about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S. The BYD Seal also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Seal or the Tesla Model S?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Seal and 85% for the Tesla Model S. That gives the BYD Seal a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Seal's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Tesla Model S's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BYD Seal comparisons
More Tesla Model S comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Seal and Tesla Model S rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Seal (2023 on): Design vs Excellence, the Long Warranty & What to Pay
A used BYD Seal buyer’s guide: Design RWD vs Excellence AWD, the 2026 update, BYD’s 6-year warranty and 8-year / 250,000 km battery cover, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay (nearly-new ones are about a third off) and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Tesla Model S (2014-2020): Versions, Warranty, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Tesla Model S buyer’s guide: 85 to 100D, Long Range and Performance explained, which cars have lost the battery warranty, the media unit recall, free Supercharging, owner-reported repairs, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .