BYD Seal vs Subaru WRX
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.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Seal starts from $46,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,190. That makes the BYD Seal the more affordable entry point by $1,200.
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 $51,689 and $53,009 respectively.
The BYD Seal qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Subaru WRX, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Subaru WRX.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Seal packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Subaru WRX.
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 8 in the Subaru WRX.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Seal stands out with power tailgate and Dynaudio audio that you will not find on the Subaru WRX. The Subaru WRX counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru WRX offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 150kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Subaru WRX is 1.1s quicker. 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, 200mm longer than the Subaru WRX at 4,600mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 441L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Subaru WRX a 41L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru WRX leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 / 999,999km (Subaru WRX). The BYD Seal has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD Seal and Subaru WRX trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Subaru WRX 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 Subaru WRX?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $46,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru WRX by $1,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru WRX uses the least fuel at 9.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The BYD Seal has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru WRX has the largest boot at 441L.
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 Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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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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