VS
At a Glance
Power
230 kW
160 kW
Torque
360 Nm
engine 221 Nm
Fuel
—
4.6 l/100km
Towing
750 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
5.9 s
8.9 s
Engine
electric cc
2494 cc
Choosing between the BYD Seal and the Lexus ES is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Seal delivers 230 kW while the Lexus ES produces 160 kW. Pricing starts at R1 007 900 for the Seal and R1 138 800 for the ES. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
230 kW
160 kW
Torque
360 Nm
engine 221 Nm
0-100 kph
5.9 s
8.9 s
Top Speed
179 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
2494 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
rear
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
4.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
82.6 kWh l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
—
104 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4800 mm
4975 mm
Width
1875-2150 mm
1865 mm
Height
1460 mm
1445 mm
Wheelbase
2920 mm
2870 mm
Ground Clearance
145 mm
158 mm
Kerb Weight
2055 Kg
1740 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
50 front + 400 rear l
454 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
750 Kg
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
9
10
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery
7 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
105000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BYD Seal
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Seal
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Seal
Practicality
Seal
Pros & Cons
BYD Seal
More powerful engine (230 kW)
Lower starting price (R1 007 900)
Higher towing capacity (750 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (5.9 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Lexus ES
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (160 kW vs 230 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Seal or ES?
The Seal produces 230 kW and 360 Nm of torque while the ES delivers 160 kW and engine 221 Nm of torque. The Seal is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seal and ES?
The Seal starts from R1 007 900 and the ES from R1 138 800. The Seal is cheaper by R130 900 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seal or ES?
The Seal has a braked towing capacity of 750 Kg and the ES can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seal or the ES?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.