Verdict
In a year dominated by SUVs, electric or otherwise, how is it that an electric sedan is our Car of the Year?
By all accounts, BYD has had a stellar 2024: Besides new models being introduced, sales of the Atto 3 has catapulted the brand to the top of people's minds.
And yet, it is perhaps the Seal that has made the most waves in the car market - offering a tempting blend of electric mobility, wide ranging competencies, and excellent value for money.
It starts with the car's unmistakable exterior look. With its sleek silhouette, sharp lighting details and sport sedan aesthetics, the Seal wears its distinct look clearly and unapologetically.
Inside, the car delivers a high level of comfort and quality. The spacious cabin is decked out in quality materials, offering all passengers on board an experience that is recognisably premium.
Unsurprisingly, the car also comes loaded with technology and features, with the centrepiece being the rotating 15.6-inch infotainment screen. Beyond the standard swathe of car functions, passengers can even have their own Karaoke session with BYD microphones.
And the long list of standard equipment continues. The Seal has all the safety and assistance features you would expect from a modern EV, while ventilated front seats, a 12-speaker DYNAUDIO sound system and dynamic mood lighting further enhance the interior experience.
While the Seal Performance may have the headlining performance figures, it is the entry-level Seal Dynamic that perhaps delivers the greatest value proposition. (With three variants available, there's evidently a model for everyone.) Supremely comfortable and gentle riding, while still delivering plenty of accelerative punch when you need it, it's exactly the sort of car that would appeal to a wide range of buyers.
And it has. In a market dominated by SUVs, the BYD Seal stands out as a sedan that captures people's attentions, and also buyers' wallets. It manages to stand out by delivering a capable EV experience, but in a package that embraces being different amidst a market dominated by sameness.
Interesting on its own, and backed up by customer reception (with the sales figures that follow), the BYD Seal is our Sgcarmart Car of the Year 2024.