Dubai is famous because of its skyline, luxury, and never to die passion to own high-end cars. However, in the recent past we have been seeing something new on the horizon of the Sheikh Zayed Road and The Palm: a fully electric sports sedan called the BYD SEAL.
Years ago, BYD (Build Your Dreams) was regarded as nothing but an inexpensive Chinese electric vehicle, but now it is playing in the big leagues, with vehicles that can compete with Tesla, let alone German stalwarts like Audi and BMW in technology and character. But how do you really find it using a BYD SEAL in Dubai on a long term basis?
Well, we will break it down day by day and we are going to tell you just what to expect: features, performance, charging tricks, cost breakdown, scenic driving and just a couple of surprises that you would not expect on an EV that costs you less than AED 1,000/day.
Day 1: Picking Up the BYD SEAL – First Impressions
When you see the BYD SEAL for the first time, you will probably be caught off-guard, since it does not appear to be a budget EV.
It is a smooth, elegant sedan compared to the likes of Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2. Performance screams on aerodynamic lines, flush door handles, LED light signature and futuristic 19-inch alloys. The inside may be even more immersive.
Interior highlights:
- Touchscreen and voice control, 15.6″ rotating 1
- Vegan leather seats in a premium quality
- Glass panoramic roof
- The wireless charging, the NFC key and the app connectivity
The interior of the car is like a boutique lounge. It’s quiet. It’s clean. It is smarter than you would imagine. And when you hit the start button, nothingness and silence, up until the moment the torque strikes.
Day 2: Performance Test at Dubai Autodrome
Remember, the BYD SEAL may be electric, but it is also electric with attitude. The highest-spec BYD SEAL has:
- 3.8 sec 100 km/h km/hr
- 530 hp (AWD dual-motor model)
- up to 700 km range
We have also gone out to the Dubai Autodrome to see what those specs are like out on the road.
At the track:
- The acceleration was very immediate and stiff, pushing you against your seat like a roller coaster.
- The turning was rather abrupt in the case of an EV.
- The brake system was sensitive, and there is regenerative braking, which even increased range when lapping.
Day 3: City Cruising and Charging Insights
Riding the BYD SEAL in Downtown Dubai feels like travelling back to the future. Its silence at 120 km/h is whisper-level and gives a new on-road peace of mind when passing through DIFC or the Burj Khalifa.
The charges reality check:
- When you have a DC fast charger, you can charge 20-80 percent in 30 minutes.
- Overnight home/hotel wall socket charging gets you to about 70% range in the morning.
- DEWA and EV Green Charger public chargers are available in abundance and close to malls and five-star hotels.
- Pro Tip: Request Lavish Cars to have at least 80 percent charge as well as RFID charging cards that are used in DEWA charging stations.
Day 4: Desert Drive to Al Qudra and Love Lake
You may think that electric cars are incapable of being on desert routes, but the BYD SEAL proves you wrong. The EV allowed us a scenic 90-minute drive to Al Qudra along with the famous Love Lake and bike tracks. The path consisted of
- Clear roads that do not experience a high density of traffic
- Amazing views of desert
- Moderate topographical changes which challenged the suspension of the EV.
Verdict:
- The suspension was really good at handling the bumps.
- Not a drop of range anxiety; we were able to drive back with 30 percent of the battery left.
- Air-conditioning was icy in a 45 degree heat.
Day 5: Malls, Meetings & Marvels
How about a classy car that is also functional in terms of business or shopping? The SEAL comes through.
The car fits anywhere you are going: whether a pitch at Jumeirah Lake Towers or a visit at The Dubai Mall, the valets consider it a novelty: what car is this?. It looks like a Tesla but cooler.”
Urban perks:
- Reverse camera and smart parking sensors make parking at tight areas easy.
- Silent driving is perfect for driving around The Walk or JBR at night.
- Very roomy interior on a sports sedan: gives 4 adults plenty of room and luggage space.
Day 6: A Night Out in Downtown Dubai
The SEAL, with its lit front grille and the coupe body shape, is visible in the lights of the Burj Khalifa. You have it valet at Atmosphere Lounge, and the guy calls it a BYD, right? Beautiful.”
To go out on a night out, the car would be the perfect chariot, classy, quiet, and conversation-friendly with the ambient lighting and the quiet car in the cabin.
Day 7: Final Day, Final Thoughts
Seven days later, having spent some time with the BYD SEAL in Dubai, there are a couple of thoughts that come to mind:
- Range Anxiety? Not Here. The fast charging, along with more than 600 km in the real world, made us never even worry.
- It was an eye-catcher. It is still rare and exotic in Dubai, and people wanted to know more about it than a Range Rover.
- Luxury Yet No Emissions. You will feel that every dirham is not thrown in vain, starting with soft-close doors to a panoramic roof.
- The technology you will use. Every ride was easier with the voice assistance, rotating screen, and adaptive cruise control.
- Priced Lower, Provides More. At less than AED 1,000/day to rent per week, it is the savviest EV option in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Lavish Cars provides BYD SEAL car rentals at the rate of AED 325/day, and weekly package rates consist of lesser charges.
Yes, but it must be a valid international or UAE licensed driver. We do paperwork and pay the insurance.
DEWA or EV Green Charger stations have become available in most hotels, malls and petrol stations. Each of our rentals is provided with a complete map.
It does; it just depends. The BYD SEAL is more spacious and luxurious, has a more extended range, and costs less, whereas the Tesla takes the lead in autonomous driving features.
