376672889 10159634875193947 4526471608171034898 n
3
Carsales Staff14 Sept 2023
NEWS

SPY PICS: BYD Seal U electric SUV spotted in Sydney

Mid-size electric SUV aims directly at Tesla Model Y and will join smaller BYD Atto 3 in local showrooms next year

A camouflauged BYD Seal U battery-electric SUV has been spotted testing on the middle of Sydney under the cover of darkness, all but confirming it will be the new and previously hinted-at SUV model to be released by the Chinese EV brand in Australia by the end of 2024.

Having only just made its public debut at IAA Mobility exhibition in Germany last week, the mid-size Seal U will serve as a larger alternative to the established BYD Atto 3 compact SUV.

01 u2l7

Derived from the same platform but featuring a subtly different EV powertrain, the Seal U is the high-riding cousin of the about-to-be-released BYD Seal sedan and will be available Down Under by the end of next year alongside the aforementioned sedan, the Atto 3 and BYD’s still-mysterious electric pick-up truck.

Just this single image of a camouflaged Seal U prototype, which can be identified by its distinctive tail-light arrangement and narrow rear window, was posted to social media on Tuesday night, with the snapper guessing it to be some sort of EV judging by its “massive centre screen” and lack of exhaust outlets.

f5meviywoaa2pje

European versions of the Seal U feature the choice of a 71.8kW Blade battery good for up to 420km of range, or a bigger 87kWh unit capable of up to 500km, though both sustain a 168kW electric drive motor.

The overall package measures 4785mm long, 1890mmm wide, 1660mm tall and rides on a 2765mm wheelbase, which makes it marginally longer and tall than the Tesla Model Y, carsales’ Best Electric Car of 2023, however, the battery-powered American SUV is wider.

Odds are the BYD will undercut Australia’s top-selling EV on price, but we’ll have to wait until next year for confirmation.

Share this article
Written byCarsales Staff
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
Meet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe today
Sell your car with Instant Offer™
Like trade-in but price is regularly higher
1. Get a free Instant Offer™ online in minutes2. An official local dealer will inspect your car3. Finalise the details and get paid the next business day
Get a free Instant Offer
Sell your car with Instant Offer™
Looking for an electric car?Get the latest advice and reviews on electric car that's right for you.
Explore the Electric Hub
Electric
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®
Scan to download the carsales app
    DownloadAppCta
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    Want more info? Here’s our app landing page App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © carsales.com.au Pty Ltd 1999-2025
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.