BMW i3 (2026) vs BYD Seal

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

BMW i3 (2026)

i3 40 xDrive (MY27)

£47,925 · 348 mi

Wins 12 of 16

BYD Seal

SEAL 82.5 kWh RWD Design (MY26)

£45,730 · 298 mi

Wins 4 of 16

Our verdict

The BMW i3 (2026) and BYD Seal are both electric saloons in the large car class. The BMW i3 (2026) starts at £47,925 in the UK and the BYD Seal at £45,730, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The i3 (2026) goes further, with about 348 miles of real-world range against 298 for the Seal. On top of that, it charges faster on a rapid charger (170 kW against 100 kW on average, 10–80%), uses less energy (4.2 mi/kWh against 3.6 mi/kWh) and is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 5.4 s against 5.9 s.

The Seal is £2,195 cheaper to buy new (£45,730 against £47,925). On top of that, it has the bigger boot (557 litres against 451) and has the longer warranty (6 years against 3).

Choose the BMW i3 (2026) if you want the longest range and quicker charging stops and the BYD Seal if you want the lower price and more boot space.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

BMW i3 (2026)BYD Seal

Price

Price new: £47,925on sale now; £45,730 (best)on sale now
Used from (estimated): –too new; –too new
Price per mile of range: £138 (best); £153

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 348 mi (best)560 km, estimate; 298 mi480 km, estimate
Range today, used (estimated): –; –
Efficiency: 4.2 mi/kWh (best)148 Wh/km, estimate; 3.6 mi/kWh172 Wh/km, estimate
Range with one 15-min stop: 431 mi (best)693 km; 315 mi507 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 170 kW (best)10–80% average; 100 kW10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 22 kW (best); 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Yes; Yes
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): Yes (best); No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): Yes (best); No

Battery

Usable battery: 82.8 kWh (best); 82.5 kWh
Battery chemistry: NCM (nickel manganese cobalt); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes; Yes

Body and performance

Body style: Saloon; Saloon
Size class: D · Large car; D · Large car
Seats: 5; 5
Drive: All-wheel drive; Rear-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 5.4 s (best)0–100 km/h; 5.9 s0–100 km/h
Weight: 2,165 kg; 2,130 kg

Size

Length: 4.76 m15 ft 7 in; 4.80 m15 ft 9 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.87 m6 ft 1 in; 1.88 m6 ft 2 in
Width with mirrors: 2.08 m6 ft 10 in; 2.15 m7 ft 1 in
Height: 1.48 m4 ft 10 in; 1.46 m4 ft 9 in
Wheelbase: 2.90 m9 ft 6 in; 2.92 m9 ft 7 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 451 litres; 557 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): 1,800 kg (best); 1,000 kg
Max payload: 505 kg (best)people and luggage; 446 kgpeople and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: –not tested yet; 5 stars

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 3 yearsunlimited miles; 6 years (best)93,750 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity; 8 years (best)125,000 miles
Passes to next owner: Yes; Yes, with conditions

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2026 on; 2026 on

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.