BMW i3 vs BYD Seal
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW i3: not on sale yet, so BMW hasn't published price, kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
108.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
82.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Seal gets a 15.6-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments.
The BMW i3 stands out with Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Seal. The BYD Seal counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Dynaudio audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW i3 uses a Electric producing 345kW and 645Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.
The BYD Seal responds with a Electric making 230kW and 360Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The BMW i3 has the clear power advantage at 345kW vs 230kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i3 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 108.7kWh (BMW i3) vs 82.6kWh (BYD Seal). DC fast charging peaks at 400kW (BMW i3) vs 150kW (BYD Seal).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i3 measures 4,760mm long on a 2,897mm wheelbase, 40mm shorter than the BYD Seal at 4,800mm (2,920mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m diameter
Average
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.9 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i3) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal). The BYD Seal has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW i3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Seal if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW i3 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The BYD Seal adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i3 and BYD Seal?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i3 has the most range at 900km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for BMW i3, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Seal has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Seal has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i3 makes the most power at 345kW. The BMW i3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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