BMW i4 vs BYD Seal
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 14 Nov 2026
BMW i4
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 470L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BYD Seal
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 17 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 400L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 73
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$88,900RRP
- with the BYD Seal's standard kit: $88,900 (nothing to add)
$52,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW i4 eDrive35
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
BYD Seal Premium
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 14 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $222 a week in repayments ($52,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BYD Seal starts $35,910 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$222/wk(≈$962/mo)
Estimate on the BYD Seal at $52,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW i4 at 4 stars (2022) and the BYD Seal at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the BMW i4 and 89% for the BYD Seal, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW i4, against 7 on the BYD Seal.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW i4 and 7 in the BYD Seal.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW i4 and 7 on the BYD Seal.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
BYD Seal
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW 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 i4 features a 14.9-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. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Seal. The BYD Seal counters with V2L and Dynaudio audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the BYD Seal offers leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 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 BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 210kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Seal is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 67kWh (BMW i4) vs 82.6kWh (BYD Seal), giving WLTP ranges of 527km and 570km. DC fast charging peaks at 180kW (BMW i4) vs 150kW (BYD Seal).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 17mm shorter than the BYD Seal at 4,800mm (2,920mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 400L in the BYD Seal, giving the BMW i4 a 70L advantage.
For towing, the BMW i4 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW i4's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 11.1 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $778 a year (16.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the BYD Seal about $816 a year (17 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $38 a year less for the BMW i4.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 6 years / 150,000 km (BYD Seal).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 400L), the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,000kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($778 a year against $816).
The BYD Seal: the lower starting price ($52,990 against $88,900), more power (230kW against 210kW) and the longer warranty (6 years against 5).
The Verdict
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 73
The BYD Seal scores 77 to the BMW i4's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 11 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (BYD Seal ahead by 15 points), safety (BYD Seal ahead by 10 points), practicality (BMW i4 ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $38 less (16.2 kWh/100km against 17 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 470L in the BMW i4, 400L in the BYD Seal. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW i4, 6 on the BYD Seal.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$222/wk(≈$962/mo)
Estimate on the BYD Seal at $52,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and BYD Seal?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $35,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Seal has the most range at 570km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
Which is safest?
The BYD Seal has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Seal has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150,000 km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal makes the most power at 230kW. The BYD Seal is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
Track the BMW i4 & BYD Seal
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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