BYD Seal vs Honda HR-V

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the BYD Seal at 5 stars (2023) and the Honda HR-V at 4 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Seal and 82% for the Honda HR-V, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Seal, against 5 on the Honda HR-V.

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 Honda HR-V.

Recalls 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.

Feature Showdown

The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Honda HR-V gets a 9-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, V2L and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Honda HR-V. The Honda HR-V counters with Apple CarPlay 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 Honda HR-V offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Seal and 1-zone in the Honda HR-V.

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 Honda HR-V responds with a Petrol making 89kW and 145Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.

The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 89kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 455mm longer than the Honda HR-V at 4,345mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 304L in the Honda HR-V, giving the BYD Seal a 96L advantage.

For towing, the Honda HR-V leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 0kg 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 Honda HR-V's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.0 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 BYD Seal costs about $816 a year (17 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Honda HR-V about $1,767 a year (6.2 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 6 years / 150k km (BYD Seal) and 5 years / Unlimited (Honda HR-V). Capped-price servicing: no data (BYD Seal), 5 years (Honda HR-V).

Where each one leads

The BYD Seal: more power (230kW against 89kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (400L against 304L) and the longer warranty (6 years against 5).

The Honda HR-V: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the BYD Seal.

The Verdict

BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 74

The BYD Seal scores 77 to the Honda HR-V's 74 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BYD Seal ahead by 31 points), safety (BYD Seal ahead by 10 points). Boot space with the seats up: 400L in the BYD Seal, 304L in the Honda HR-V. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Seal, 5 on the Honda HR-V.

Common questions