BYD Launches $10K Cheaper Rival to Tesla Model 3 with 2025 Seal EV

BYD has unveiled the 2025 Seal EV, a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model 3, with a $10,000 lower price tag, setting a new standard in the competitive electric vehicle landscape.

BYD Seal EV Slashes $10K Off Tesla Model 3 Price

BYD's electric sedan, the 2025 Seal EV, which is similar tothe Tesla Model 3, was formally unveiled on Thursday. The new BYD Seal EV is roughly $10,000 cheaper than Tesla's Model 3 in China, with prices starting at less than $25,000.

Electrek says that just over a year after Tesla debuted the updated Model 3 Highland in China, BYD is stepping it up a notch. For the 2025 model year, the top electric vehicle manufacturer in China introduced a revamped version of the Seal EV.

Using its revised e-Platform 3.0 Evo platform, BYD unveiled its first electric car, the 2025 Seal. May saw the unveiling of the Sea Lion 07, a mid-size electric SUV built on BYD's new platform. This vehicle was anticipated to compete with Tesla's top-selling Model Y.

BYD Seal EV Debuts on Advanced e-Platform 3.0 Evo

With increased power and range, quicker charging, and cutting-edge software for intelligent driving, BYD upgraded the platform.

Earlier this month, BYD debuted photos of the revamped Seal EV on its social media platforms. Among the most striking modifications is the installation of LiDAR on top, which will enable more ADAS features.

BYD Seal EV Sports New Red Badge, Competing with Tesla's Design

Additionally, the distinctive "Build Your Dreams" insignia from BYD was replaced with a striking red "BYD" emblem on the rear. The new Model 3 features the same "TESLA" badge on the rear, therefore the change is a reflection of that.

A new "trendy" Coral Orange hue for the interior of the 2025 Seal EV was just announced by BYD. Even though it shares certain interior design cues with the Model 3, there are several key distinctions.

BYD Offers Competitive Features for Less

Compared to the Model 3, BYD's Seal has a lot more physical buttons and knobs, as well as a driver display screen. Inside, you'll find BYD's trademark 15.6-inch spinning infotainment screen. These chairs feature a wave design that is characteristic of the Ocean series.

Similar in size to the Model 3, the new Seal from BYD measures 4,800 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,920 mm.

2025 BYD Seal Priced to Compete with Model 3

We found out that the base price of the 2025 Seal EV will be 175,800 yuan, or around $24,500, after Thursday's model debut.

New Tesla Model 3 prices begin at 231,900 yuan, or about $32,300. There is a disparity of around $7,800. From 175,800 yuan ($24,500) to 239,800 yuan ($33,500), you may choose from four different trim levels of the 2025 Seal EV.

Just five months after BYD debuted the Seal EV Honor Edition in March, the 2025 Seal is making its debut on the market. Starting at 179,800 yuan (about $25,000), the Honor Edition is more expensive than BYD's 2025 model.

Following June's launch of the Model 3 Performance in China, Tesla has introduced the new Seal model.