BYD Seal vs Fiat 500e
Two electric cars 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.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Seal starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the Fiat 500e opens at $52,500. That makes the Fiat 500e the more affordable entry point by $490.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $58,289 and $57,750 respectively.
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), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Fiat 500e. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Seal and 78% for the Fiat 500e.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Seal, against 6 on the Fiat 500e.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Seal and 6 in the Fiat 500e.
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
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.
How long to charge
42kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 85kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 85kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Fiat 500e gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Seal stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Fiat 500e. The Fiat 500e counters with Apple CarPlay, BeatsAudio audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets leather upholstery while the Fiat 500e offers leatherette. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Seal and 1-zone in the Fiat 500e.
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 230kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The Fiat 500e responds with a Electric making 87kW and 220Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 87kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Seal is 3.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82.6kWh (BYD Seal) vs 42kWh (Fiat 500e), giving WLTP ranges of 570km and 311km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (BYD Seal) vs 85kW (Fiat 500e).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 1169mm longer than the Fiat 500e at 3,631mm (2,322mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 185L in the Fiat 500e, giving the BYD Seal a 215L advantage. The BYD Seal seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500e). The BYD Seal has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Fiat 500e if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Seal takes 10 of 11 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the BYD Seal has a clear edge. 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, BYD Seal and Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is the cheapest at $52,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Seal by $490.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Seal has the most range at 570km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BYD Seal accepts the highest DC charging at up to 150kW.
Which is safest?
The BYD Seal has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Seal has the largest boot at 400L.
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 BYD Seal makes the most power at 230kW. The BYD Seal is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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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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