BYD Seal vs Lexus ES
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
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.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
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.
Lexus ES: we're still completing kerb weight, torque, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
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.
$52,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$75,000RRP
- 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.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Seal starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $75,000. That makes the BYD Seal the more affordable entry point by $22,010.
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 $82,500 respectively.
The BYD Seal currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Lexus ES does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Lexus ES. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
BYD Seal
None open on our record
Lexus ES
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
- REC-005366 · published 31 Jul 2019Some brake booster pumps may be manufactured improperly, and may cause the brake assist function to stop operating while driving.Year range on the notice: 2019
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 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.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus ES gets a 14-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Seal stands out with V2L and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES counters with panoramic roof, heated front seats 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 Lexus ES offers nulux (synthetic leather).
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 Lexus ES responds with a Petrol making 144kW, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.
The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 144kW. 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, 345mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 5,145mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 493L in the Lexus ES, giving the Lexus ES a 93L advantage.
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: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal) vs 5 years (Lexus ES). The BYD Seal has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You need more boot space, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Seal: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 73
The BYD Seal comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 73), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: performance (BYD Seal ahead by 28), fuel economy (Lexus ES ahead by 22), safety (BYD Seal ahead by 21). If boot space matters, the Lexus ES 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 Lexus ES?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $22,010.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We hold no ANCAP data for Lexus ES, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 493L with the seats up.
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.
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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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