Fiat 500e vs BYD Seal
Two electric Sedans 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 Fiat 500e starts from $52,500 before on-road costs, while the BYD Seal opens at $46,990. That makes the BYD Seal the more affordable entry point by $5,510.
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 $57,750 and $51,689 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Fiat 500e.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Fiat 500e and 7 in the BYD Seal.
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
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.
How long to charge
61.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 110kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 110kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Fiat 500e features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 Fiat 500e stands out with Apple CarPlay, BeatsAudio audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the BYD Seal. The BYD Seal counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Dynaudio audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500e gets leatherette upholstery while the BYD Seal offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Fiat 500e and 2-zone in the BYD Seal.
Drivetrain
The Fiat 500e uses a Electric producing 87kW and 220Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The BYD Seal responds with a Electric making 150kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.
The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 87kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Seal is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Fiat 500e) vs 61.4kWh (BYD Seal), giving WLTP ranges of 311km and 460km. DC fast charging peaks at 85kW (Fiat 500e) vs 110kW (BYD Seal).
Space & Comfort
The Fiat 500e measures 3,631mm long on a 2,322mm wheelbase, 1169mm 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 185L in the Fiat 500e and 400L in the BYD Seal, 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 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m 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: 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500e) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal). The BYD Seal has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Fiat 500e if: You or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Seal if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Seal takes 11 of 11 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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, Fiat 500e and BYD Seal?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $46,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Fiat 500e by $5,510.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Seal has the most range at 460km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BYD Seal accepts the highest DC charging at up to 110kW.
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 150kW. The BYD Seal is quickest to 100km/h in 7.6s.
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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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