28/12/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | DEC 28, 2025

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lent. Both front seats are electri cally adjustable with heating and ventilation. Upholstery quality is respectable, and the sculpted dashboard continues to deliver a premium feel. The 12-speaker Dynaudio audio system is unchanged and remains one of the highlights of the cabin, offering clarity and depth rarely found in vehicles at this price point. Overall, the interior of the 2025 Seal Premium (Extended Range) now feels more cohesive and more thoughtfully equipped, especially in the areas of heat management, The Premium variant uses a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 313 PS and 360 Nm of torque. These figures allow the sedan to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in approximately 5.9 sec onds, making it one of the quicker cars in its price bracket. Acceleration is smooth and lin ear, as expected from an EV, and while it lacks the explosive thrust of the dual-motor Performance version, the Premium offers more than adequate power for highway merges, overtakes, and spirited driving. The standout feature of the powertrain, however, is the large 82.5 kWh Blade battery. BYD’s LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry is widely regarded for safety and longevity, and its use here ensures the Seal Premium offers robust thermal stability and long-term durability. With an estimated WLTP range of up to 570km, the car can com fortably handle long highway journeys or busy urban commutes without frequent charging. In real-world Malaysian condi tions, the range will likely settle between 430 and 500km depend ing on traffic patterns, air-condi tioning usage, and driving style. Nonetheless, these figures remain more than adequate for most owners and exceed the usable daily range of many rival EV sedans. SUSPENSION UPGRADE IMPROVES REFINEMENT One of the more meaningful updates for 2025 is the inclusion of FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) suspension in the Premium variant. Previously reserved only for the dual-motor Performance model, this damping system contributes to more balanced ride quality by responding dynamically to differ ent road conditions. On Malaysian roads, which vary from smooth highways to patched, uneven suburban routes, the FSD system improves compli storage, and ease of use. STRONG OUTPUT, SMOOTH DELIVERY

for the panoramic glass roof, a practical addition for Malaysian heat. The previous model had the panoramic roof but lacked a motorised cover, leaving some passengers dealing with excess sunlight during midday drives. The new sunshade changes this and makes the cabin more usable in varied weather conditions. A sunglasses holder has also

tech cabin layout centred around the large 15.6-inch infotainment display, which rotates between portrait and landscape at the touch of a button. BYD continues to use this rotating screen as a signature fea ture, and it is one of the most pol ished digital interfaces in the seg ment, responsive, bright, and compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

expected on an EV. Lighting sig natures remain sharp and mod ern. At the rear, the LED taillight bar carries forward, offering a full width visual link between both sides of the car. While these visual updates are subtle, they align with the gradual refinement approach typical of BYD’s mid-life model improve ments.

BY TIMOTHY PRAKASH

WHEN BYD introduced the Seal to Malaysia, it instantly positioned itself as one of the most compel ling electric sedans in the sub RM200,000 segment. For 2025, the company has revised the model with a more focused line-up and a series of updates aimed at improving day to-day comfort, efficiency, and value. The Dynamic variant, once the entry-level choice, has been with drawn entirely, leaving the spot light firmly on the Premium (Extended Range) and the all wheel-drive Performance version. The result is a simplified range that reflects where BYD believes Malaysian buyers are headed: towards long-range, high-specifi cation electric models at prices still well below European models. The updated BYD Seal Premium (Extended Range), now priced at RM171,800 before insur ance, not only arrives with a lower sticker price than before, RM8,000 cheaper, but also brings a set of refinements that sharpen its appeal. With a larger battery, new fea tures, and suspension improve ments that were previously exclu sive to the higher-end model, BYD appears keen on ensuring the Premium variant remains the most balanced and sensible choice in the Seal family. Let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Seal Premium (Extended Range). FAMILIAR LINES WITH SUBTLE ENHANCEMENTS The 2025 Seal retains the dis tinctive silhouette that first drew attention when BYD introduced the model. There is no dramatic redesign for this update; instead, the focus is on refinement. The overall proportions remain sporty, with a low nose, a long wheelbase, and a clean shoulder line that gives the Seal a premium, almost European character despite its Chinese origin. What is new is the wheel design. The 2025 Premium ver sion rides on a fresh set of 19-inch alloys, replacing the earlier tur bine-style wheels with a more angular, contemporary pattern. Beyond aesthetics, the wheel design is part of a broader effort to marginally improve aerodynamics and reduce rolling resistance, con tributing to the model’s claimed range of approximately 570km on the WLTP cycle. At the front, the Seal continues to present BYD’s “Ocean Aesthetics” theme, a design phi losophy also seen in the Dolphin and Atto 3. Slender LED headlamps frame a clean, grille-less front end, as

Single-motor driving the rear wheels.

LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.

Seal of approval

BYD Premium gets subtle but important updates

been added, addressing a simple but frequently requested conven ience feature. The inclusion of a Bluetooth mobile key system improves daily practicality by allowing owners to unlock and start the car using their smartphones without need ing to carry the physical key. This brings the Seal in line with higher-end vehicles and reflects BYD’s steady move towards digital convenience. Seating comfort remains excel

A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver, providing clear information with out overwhelming the space. A head-up display adds a third layer of data projection, ensuring that the driver rarely has to look away from the road. These three display areas together create an experience that feels more high end than the Seal’s price suggests. For 2025, BYD has added sev eral cabin upgrades. The most notable is the powered sunshade

For buyers expecting dramatic visual changes, the 2025 update may feel modest. But for most shoppers, the Seal’s handsome design remains one of its strong est points, and the new wheels help the overall look feel fresher without disrupting a formula that already works. MORE COMFORTABLE, CONVENIENT, AND STILL FEATURE-DICH Inside, the Seal retains its high