I’ll admit it, when I first heard about BYD’s “Build Your Dreams” tagline, and model names like Dolphin and Seal, I thought it was all a bit silly. How wrong I was. The Sealion is genuinely impressive.

This Design spec test car packs all-wheel drive and an 82kWh battery, delivering real-world range of up to 320 miles. BYD’s clever approach means you’re not paying for interior upgrades – premium stitching, suede, leather and all the tech comes as standard across all three trim levels. What you’re actually paying for is power and battery capacity. The Comfort spec delivers around 300bhp, while this Design spec pushes out more than 500bhp.

Build quality is superb

The cabin feels genuinely premium, not like a budget EV trying to punch above its weight. Build quality is superb, materials are lovely, and you get electric seats, heated rear seats, and a crystal-clear dashboard screen. There’s even a proper heads-up display.

The party piece is the rotating touch screen. Tesla went from portrait on the Model S to landscape on the Model 3, and I was never sure which worked better. BYD’s solution? Why not have both? You can flip between orientations depending on your needs. When my wife’s along for the ride, she can control the music while I keep my satnav up in split screen mode. When I’m driving solo, portrait mode gives maximum map visibility.

Practical touches abound too: double-width wireless charging for two phones with 50W output, adjustable cup holders for different bottle sizes, and a 360-degree parking camera with adjustable viewing angles that can render the car transparent so you just see the wheels.

Handling is confident and engaging

On the road, the Sealion is genuinely impressive. The power delivery is savage when you want it – this thing has serious grunt. Handling is confident and engaging, with brilliant response when you pile on the power mid-corner. The panoramic sunroof adds to the airy cabin feel, and visibility is excellent.

My only gripe is that the seats could use more lateral support during spirited driving, though they are perfectly comfortable for normal use. Safety-wise, there’s a subtle warning when you drift over a white line – thankfully not the aggressive telling-off you get from some cars.
At just under £52k for this mid-level Design spec, the Sealion represents massive value compared to a Tesla Model S. It’s almost estate-like in its practicality, handles beautifully, and feels every bit as premium as its German or American rivals.

One of the best electric cars I’ve tested

This might just be one of the best electric cars I’ve tested. I’m trying not to get carried away, but the Sealion genuinely feels like a Tesla killer. It’s got the tech, the performance, the build quality and the practicality – all wrapped up in a package that looks fantastic and costs significantly less than the established competition. BYD might have silly model names, but I think they have built something rather special here.