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2026 BYD Seal Advanced Review

Does the BYD Seal Advanced have what it takes to sway you out of a crossover?

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 BYD Seal Advanced Review

We don’t like repeating it, but it’s the cold, hard truth: four-door sedans are a dying breed. A decade ago, crossovers were level with the sedan in terms of popularity, but now, aside from economy cars, the sedan segment has been overtaken by crossovers. And that’s just sedans in general—rear-wheel-drive sedans are now mostly confined to the premium market, out of reach for the everyday driver who simply wants an affordable, sleek, and fun car.

What we have on review today is the BYD Seal Advanced, the more affordable, two-wheel-drive counterpart to the all-wheel-drive, dual-motor Seal Performance. Priced at P550,000, less than its more powerful sibling, it’s a tempting option if you’re after a four-door electric sedan. But the big questions remain: can the Seal Advanced convince you to skip a crossover? And more importantly, can it help revive interest in a segment that has slowly become inaccessible to most of us? Read on to find out what we think.

4.4 / 5
2026 BYD Seal Advanced Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 5.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
  • Great ride comfort and NVH insulation
  • Comprehensive feature array
  • Quick, stable, and agile to drive
What You Won't Like
  • Needlessly complicated air controls
  • The wide sunroof is not great for the Philippine climate
How We Do Our Reviews

Under the hood, or more appropriately, under the floor, the Seal Advanced is packing a 61.4 kWh Blade Battery. This battery is slightly smaller than the Performance variant, but because it has one less motor to power, the maximum driving range is set at a respectable NEDC-rated range of 510 km. As for the motor itself, the electric motor develops 200 hp and 310 Nm of torque, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels.

The Seal Advanced utilizes the CCS2 charging standard and is capable of AC and DC charging. A full charge using an AC charger with a 7 kW rate takes up to 12 hours if the battery is fully depleted. A DC charger, meanwhile, can get the Seal Advanced from 30 to 80 percent in just half an hour. 

BYD Seal Advanced 2
BYD Seal Advanced 1
BYD Seal Advanced 3 +1

The BYD Seal Advanced shares the same striking design as the Performance variant. Its highlights include a sleek silhouette, an aggressive front fascia, and a low-slung stance that projects confidence on the road. Up front, a minimalist grille is paired with sharp, angular LED headlights, while the sculpted sides feature subtle character lines that flow seamlessly from the fenders to the rear. Air vents at the wheel wells and side skirts further enhance the car’s sporty, performance-oriented appearance. The rear is much the same story, sharing the same wraparound lighting setup as the Seal Performance and even the sporty diffusers found at the bottom portion of the bumper. The only real difference you’ll spot is the smaller 18-inch alloys compared to the Performance’s 20-inch wheels, as well as the lack of the drilled rotors up front.

BYD Seal Advanced Wheels

In terms of size, the Seal Advanced has the proportions of a true mid-size sedan, measuring 4,800 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height. Its 2,920 mm wheelbase not only provides a more spacious interior but also contributes to the car’s balanced and athletic stance.

BYD Seal Advanced Trunk

Open the rear trunk, and there is enough space for 400-liters worth of cargo. Since it’s a sedan, trying to fit a balikbayan box in that tight space is out of the question. Even so, the capacious trunk is more than capable of fitting luggage and more. If you need to load longer items, the rear seats fold down, allowing you to fit longer items into the cabin.

BYD Seal Advanced Second Row

Crossovers will always have the upper hand when it comes to cargo capacity, but sedans score points in comfort—and the Seal Advanced is no exception. The second row is surprisingly spacious and comfortable, offering ample legroom and headroom. The seats provide good bolstering and support, making two passengers ideal for maximizing space and comfort. Even a third passenger in the center won’t have much to complain about, thanks to the flat floor, though the higher seating position might be a minor drawback. Amenities for rear passengers include two air vents, a center console cubby, two USB charging ports, and a large panoramic sunroof.

While the panoramic sunroof is an eye-catching feature and certainly a brag-worthy element, its size might be overkill for the weather here. A solid roof with a power sunroof might have been more practical, though it’s pretty undeniable that it adds to the car’s overall style.

BYD Seal Advanced Dashboard

Up front, the experience is even better. The driver’s seat is well-bolstered and comfortable, giving a true sense of being in command. The low-slung seating position is another advantage that sedans hold over crossovers, one because it’s a more natural position, and second because it provides a better connection to the road. Other things we love inside the Seal Advanced are the suede soft-touch inserts on the door cards, commendable build quality, and the soft, supple leather upholstery. 

BYD Seal Advanced Infotainment

When it comes to tech, like any BYD vehicle, the Seal Advanced doesn’t skimp. Up front, the first thing that grabs your attention is the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, which dominates the dashboard almost entirely. Complementing it is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, providing all the essential driving information at a glance, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep your smartphone seamlessly integrated. Additional conveniences include two wireless chargers, a deep center console, a cubby underneath the shifter with extra charging ports, and a sleek gear selector.

BYD Seal Advanced Shifter

On the safety and driver-assistance front, the Seal Advanced comes loaded with BYD’s Di-Pilot system. Standard features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and front/rear collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The package is rounded out with a 360-degree camera with See-Through mode, traffic sign recognition, a full suite of front, side, and curtain airbags, and a host of stability control systems to keep you planted on the road.

BYD Seal Advanced Instrument Cluster

Tech-packed as it is, there are a few drawbacks. Our first complaint is the overcomplicated process for simple tasks, like adjusting the air conditioning. BYD has integrated most controls into the touchscreen before, but the Seal takes it a step further—even the vent direction must be set via the infotainment system, which we think is just too complicated for a task that doesn’t need to be. A minor gripe is the size of the infotainment screen. While a 15.6-inch touchscreen is undeniably impressive, it can feel oversized for a sedan of the Seal’s dimensions—your own fist may occasionally block the display while driving. Luckily, the Seal’s driving performance, which we’re coming to next, may make you forgive these minor inconveniences.

BYD Seal Advanced Rolling 1

Where the Seal Advanced truly impresses is from behind the wheel. As an EV, power delivery is near-instantaneous—almost like an on-off switch. There’s no gradual buildup, just a strong surge every time you put your foot down. That immediacy of response belies the Advanced’s modest-sounding output figures of 200 hp and 310 Nm of torque, which feel far more potent in real-world driving.

In terms of handling, the Seal Advanced is confidence-inspiring. It hunkers down through corners, remains composed at speed, and feels stable throughout. Pair that with an impressively comfortable ride and excellent NVH insulation, and the Seal Advanced proves to be an enjoyable car to drive, whether you’re pushing the edge or simply cruising.

BYD Seal Advanced Headlight

As far as performance goes, the Advanced hits a sweet spot for most drivers. It’s civilized enough for daily commuting, yet delivers enough punch to excite when the mood strikes. Overall, the Seal Advanced strikes a deft balance between power, comfort, and refinement. While crossovers may offer similar attributes, few can match the level of driver engagement that a well-sorted sedan like the Seal delivers.

BYD Seal Advanced Rolling 2

The versatility and practicality of a crossover are hard to beat. However, if you are looking for a car with a striking design, modern technology, and a genuinely engaging driving experience, the Seal Advanced presents a compelling alternative that is difficult to ignore. When you factor in its potent powertrain, advanced driver-assistance features, and comfortable interior, especially for P1,998,000 that undercuts much of the EV competition, it gives buyers more than enough reason to think twice before defaulting to a crossover. Plus, it also gives us hope that fun sedans can make a comeback

To explore the Seal Advanced’s prices, specifications, and features, or to connect with legitimate BYD sales agents, visit the BYD Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph.

Specifications

Engine

n/a

Energy Source

Electric

Performance

200 hp @ 0 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name BYD Seal Advance
Body Type Sedan
Price ₱1,998,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

BYD Seal Arctic Blue Arctic Blue
BYD Seal Aurora White Aurora White
BYD Seal Cosmos Black Cosmos Black
BYD Seal Atlantis Grey Atlantis Grey

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