BYD vs Tesla: which is better?
BYD vs. Tesla – which electric car brand is right for you? We compare batteries, range, reliability and more
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Tesla vs. BYD: which model should you buy?
Tesla has already cemented a name for itself as one of the world’s leading EV manufacturers, but with new Chinese brands entering the UK market, how do BYD vs. Tesla compare?
Both promise long ranges, bonkers performance and minimalist, tech-heavy interiors, so let us take the stress out of your decision with our BYD vs. Tesla comparison.
BYD vs. Tesla
Our guide will answer:
Are BYD or Tesla cars better to drive?
Do BYD or Tesla have better range?
Does BYD or Tesla have better tech?
Which make has the better styling?
Are BYD or Tesla EVs more reliable?
Which has the better lineup?
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BYD vs. Tesla: what are they like to drive?
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The truth is that BYD and Tesla cars drive very similarly. BYD has pretty much matched Tesla’s offerings with the SEAL (Model 3) and SEALION 7 (Model Y), even with similar amounts of performance, and that’s no coincidence.
These four core models from both brands drive exceptionally well, with a good balance between comfort for around town and rigidity for when you fancy some more spirited driving.
You also get similar drive mode options to scale back the throttle response if you need a smoother ride, but Tesla takes this customisation one step further by allowing drivers to select what happens when the car comes to a stop (roll, creep or hold at a stop).
On the flip side, BYD gives you the choice of multiple levels of regenerative braking – you don’t get this in a Tesla. Of course, you can regulate this with your foot like in all other EVs.
Note that these models are rear-wheel-drive (for a better sense of propulsion) or all-wheel-drive (for extra grip on powerful trims), but BYD’s smaller cars come with front-wheel drive, so don’t expect the same thrilling experience in these.
BYD vs. Tesla: range and batteries
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BYD offers a lot more choice than Tesla, but for the purposes of this BYD vs. Tesla battery comparison, we’ll focus on the BYD SEAL vs. Tesla Model 3 and BYD SEALION 7 vs. Tesla Model Y, because those are the cars that truly go head-to-head.
As you can see, although both offer similar ranges, Tesla does this with a smaller battery, which means its models are generally more efficient and cheaper to run per mile.
BYD SEAL
Design – 82.5kWh, 354 miles
Excellence AWD – 82.5kWh, 323 miles
Tesla Model 3
RWD – 60.5kWh, 323 miles
Long Range RWD – 75kWh, 436 miles
Long Range AWD – 75kWh, 390 miles
Performance – 75kWh, 328 miles
BYD SEALION 7
Comfort – 82.5kWh, 300 miles
Design AWD – 82.5kWh, 283 miles
Excellence AWD – 91.3kWh, 312 miles
Tesla Model Y
RWD – 60.5kWh, 311 miles
Long Range RWD – 75kWh, 387 miles
Long Range AWD – 75kWh, 364 miles
Performance – 79kWh, 360 miles
BYD vs. Tesla: interior and technology
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Tesla’s cabins are famed for their minimalism – everything centres around a large, landscape-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, from media and navigation to the car’s core functions.
Newer Teslas even removed the drive stalk, so you shift gears by sliding the touchscreen or with the impressive Autoshift feature which takes care of three-point turn gear shifts for you.
BYD’s interiors, at first glance, are very similar. The similarly-sized landscape touchscreen does have one quirk, though. It can rotate to portrait at the touch of a button to change the vibe of the car.
You do get a few shortcut buttons near the gear selector, though, such as drive mode selection, volume and some climate control functions. It just puts a few more functions at your fingertips.
BYD vs. Tesla: styling
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On the whole, BYD and Tesla cars look pretty similar, especially if we’re talking about the SEAL/Model 3 (saloon-shaped) and SEALION 7/Model Y (coupé SUV).
Tesla’s minimalism spans to the outside, where you get sleek, aerodynamic lines and little more.
BYD cars offer a bit more visual flair if you’re after something that doesn’t look ultra-plain, and if you’re considering other BYD models like the Dolphin (there’s no Tesla equivalent for this), you can also get funky two-tone paint options.
BYD vs. Tesla: safety and reliability
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When Tesla’s ‘Autopilot’ autonomous driving tech first came out, it was leaps and bounds ahead of anything else that was ever on offer. These days, other manufacturers have caught up, but Tesla still has a lot more experience.
With Tesla, you get at least eight cameras for 360 degrees of visibility for the safety systems. Two of the side cameras also double as blind-spot displays when you indicate, which is truly useful.
BYD also uses cameras and other sensors for its own version of Autopilot, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist standard.
BYD vs. Tesla Euro NCAP safety ratings:
Tesla Model 3 – 5 stars
Tesla Model Y – 5 stars (new ‘Juniper’ model untested, but likely to be five stars)
BYD SEAL – 5 stars
BYD SEALION 7 – 5 stars
BYD vs. Tesla: practicality
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The perks of building a car to be fully electric from the ground up is that manufacturers can place the electric motor(s) (much smaller than a combustion engine) out of the way to maximise interior and boot space.
Tesla and BYD use this to their benefit to offer a froot (front boot), which not all manufacturers do. It’s an extra space under the bonnet to keep things like charging cables or muddy boots.
Tesla Model 3 – 594-litre boot, 88-litre froot
Tesla Model Y – 822-litre boot, 116-litre froot
BYD SEAL – 400-litre boot, 53-litre froot
BYD SEALION 7 – 520-litre boot, 58-litre froot
If you need maximum space, Tesla’s deep storage areas beneath the boot floor and larger froots make them the ones to go for.
BYD vs. Tesla model lineup
BYD
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
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This is the smallest BYD you can buy – it’s a city car with a low price tag and all the BYD tech you could shake a stick at, including a rotating touchscreen up front.
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BYD DOLPHIN
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A funky, affordable electric hatchback for solo drivers who need a versatile option that can handle the odd long trip or car full of passengers.
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BYD ATTO 2
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One of BYD’s newer models, blending everything drivers love about SUVs’ high driving positions with relatively compact dimensions, perfect for urban environments.
BYD ATTO 3
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This was the car BYD launched with in the UK – it’s a mid-sized SUV with a quirky interior and decent, 440-litre boot.
BYD SEAL
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A sleek electric saloon ideal for long distances thanks to impressive aerodynamics or for outright performance, with 0-62mph done in as little as 3.8 seconds.
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BYD SEALION 7
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BYD’s stylish coupé-SUV with chunky proportions, more interior space and a bigger boot – perfect for families.
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BYD SEAL U DM-i
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The only plug-in hybrid BYD option for now, but it’s a good one. A spacious family SUV with up to 78 miles of electric-only range.
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Tesla
Tesla Model 3
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A firm favourite for all type of drivers, the Model 3 is strikes a perfect balance of affordability, performance and efficiency, all in one.
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Tesla Model Y
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Almost like a Model 3 on stilts, the Model Y has a much more spacious rear-seat area and a far bigger boot.
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Tesla Model S
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This was Tesla’s first mainstream electric car. It’s a large saloon with a wide-opening, hatchback-style boot. Pick up a used Tesla Model S for a fraction of what they cost new.
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Tesla Model X
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Take your pick from six or seven seats, every version of the Model X comes with show-stopping Falcon Wing doors that open upwards.
Verdict: BYD vs. Tesla, which should you buy?
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BYD pros
Often cheaper than equivalent Tesla models
Funky designs with character
Comfort and performance in equal measure
BYD cons
Limited brand heritage (but strong reliability so far)
Lower-quality materials inside
Tesla pros
Strong efficiency, including in real world tests
Excellent performance across all models
Minimalist but intuitive interiors
Tesla cons
Pricier than BYD equivalents
Styling sometimes criticised for being too plain
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Find used electric cars for sale
We hope you’re one step closer to deciding which used electric car is right for you, but if you still need some convincing, have a look at our used BYD cars for sale and used Teslas for sale to see how much you could save.