Performance vs Premium - real world.

Why would you not just get the fastest? You will feel the speed difference every day but rarely ever test the range.

I’ve got a premium even though i flirted with the performance I’ve never regretted it - if I had a performance setting equal to performance above sport mode honestly can’t think I’d ever use it

The Seal is also a low vehicle, perhaps not quite as low as the BRZ seating position, but low enough that you will scrape over speed bumps occassionally and into driveways etc. Everyone has to make the decision. I got the premium and my friend got the performance. For me the range was my priority as I drive to QLD several times a year from Sydney. I think that the performance would have been good enough for that drive as I usually do a two stop to take advantage of the faster charging when the battery is more empty. In saying that the premium is plenty fast for me, enough that my wife makes me turn it to normal when she is in the car. The performance would have been just as nice and it would be great not to have chains when we head to the snow but overall I dont miss too much. I I had my time again I would likely make the same choice and save a few grand. I am sure the performance is nicer but the extra range has made more inpact to my life than the performance would have.

The straight-line performance is hilarious every time you press the go-fast pedal in the performance model. If you are coming from a BRZ, don't expect it to carve corners like you are used to. It performs more like an ultra-comfortable, silent old-school muscle car. Range will be a trade-off. I realistically get 320-380 km from a charge in mixed conditions.

Im the other way around. I feel the benefits every day of better range by not having to charge as much, I rarely ever feel the need for increased acceleration.

I don’t think my car has ever been below 60%, top up from excess solar and battery when you are home. Have never paid for any power and have never used a public charger.

I have a 2024 Performance, i test drove the 2024 Premium. 1. The 2024 Performance IS faster, but can (should??) you use it? 2. The 2024 Performance suspension IS way less compliant, now if your a single dude then maybe this isn't a big deal, but my better half hates how bumpy it is, biggest regret. They changed to active dampers on the 2025+, not sure if they are better. 3. Range difference your never gonna see any difference unless you are doing massive (like 400km) commutes regularly. If I had to do it again, I would probably go the Premium; unless the 2025+ Perf dampers are actually adjustable.

IMO, the 2025 Performance could probably benefit with a 3rd active damper setting. Comfort is pretty soft and floaty, Sport is pretty firm. Something in between would be ideal. I've noticed when using cruise control on the freeway at 100, if I have the dampers on comfort and I hit a reasonable bump, the car will float over it, but then you feel a tiny jolt of power as (I presume) the wheels are momentarily unloaded. It's weird.

I got the Peformance and have 0 regrets. Its sick.

2025 premium here, got it just before Christmas, I went with my head and I haven’t regretted it, but I will say a part of me still thinks “yeah but…” (Finally saw my parents and I was telling my mum about the performance’s acceleration and stated “but I don’t need to go to 0-100 in 3 seconds” only for my old boy to chime in “yeah you do… sometimes”). This is my first good car since I met my (now) wife around 15 years ago. I had a 350z (…I don’t care if it’s a girls car) and I loved it… but it had no back seats and I suddenly had a family so… :( We were looking to get me something nice and (shudder) “sporty” like the BRZ, but the rebates and incentives for the BYD won out… and the premium reviews meant the “responsible adult” part of my brain won out. Why is any of the above relevant? Because it means I have some experience with a car that “goes” (… my mates WRX’s would like to state that the 350z could not, in fact, go, but it was lightning with the twin turbo)… just with a a gap in between filled with a pathfinder (became the family (aka wife’s) car), a Subaru Impreza, and lastly a Suzuki swift to teach my eldest daughter to drive in. So mostly slow as crap… especially the swift. So with all that, my thoughts on the premium? She’s quick mate, even in normal mode she’ll hit the speed limit… and more, within a second or two at most (it feels), at least in the 40-100 range. In sport? She feels like she just wants to fly. That said, I haven’t had a chance to take her along the freeway yet, so I could be wrong in saying this, but she seems to hit a wall after she reaches ~110 in terms of acceleration, whereas the 350 just flew up to 180 without a care (young and dumb). But that could also just be me not letting myself “test it out”. So if anyone with experience above 100-110

Premium is well enough fast IMO. Also I like my driver's license.

I had the exact same decision to make 5 months ago. Similar to you have always had performance cars and bikes. GTR's, Hayabusa etc. I went with the Performance 2025 model with active dampers and slightly lower range. I don't regret it for a second. Lovely car. Stupid quick. Faster than 95% of other vehicles even when in ECO mode. I commute over 100km per day and find I use ECO mode most often purely because it better matches the speed of other vehicles when commutting so less braking and more comfortable. The soft mode suspension is so nice for my aged body, like a S Class. No range anxiety at all since I installed a 32 Amp charger at home. I don't even bother charging it unless it is below 40% when I get home. I usually get 450-480 km range per full charge without trying. I haven't used a public charger since 32 Amp installed or doing a overnight trip. Would I choose it over a Premium if I had the choice again. Sometimes I think not, but not often. The extra performance is not needed, honestly, but the safety advantage of AWD is definitely something I like. Performance resale I think will be better. Knowing that there are relatively few vehicles (bikes included) that can embarrass you if you need to squirt past when a lane is ending... Worthwhile.

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Great comment, appreciate it. I'm leaning to the performance. Because why not..

Good point. My commute is 20kms and we only do maybe 3 or 4 long trips a year..

Ultra silent muscle car is a great descriptor. The BRZ go kart has been a hoot but it's completely impractical and starting to be more annoying than fun.

Succinct. Love it.

Yep. I've spoken to many car people who looked down on EV's, until they drove one..

Same here. I went with the Premium because both 2024 versions (Premium and Performance) handled not altogether too differently. I could have all this extra power, without a significant-enough difference in handling to make good on that extra. And most of the time I’m on the freeway, so the car is in eco, anyway.

I'd also take insurance into consideration.

Interesting, so does this mean the 2025 Premium has a (firm) ride like the 2024 Performance?

My licence and range was my trade-off. Hindsight, range probably not a big deal after 9 months of ownership. I got the Premium and now have a chance of keeping my licence. Enough squirt to put a grin on my face. If I had the Performance I would probably drive directly to court and not pass go. I went from a Golf R to the Premium and my only regret is I wish I had done it earlier.

Yes, it will be novated so all wrapped in.

Hahaha! My wife says the same. Makes her nauseous

I had a car with similar performance to the premium 20 years ago which back then was impressive, and tbh is still pretty quick. My wife would complain every time I put the foot down so I probably wouldn't bother looking for anything faster.

Mrs had a brz and went the premium but range was necessity. Straight line speed is pretty nuts and just feels so fast with no gear changes. +1 for it feeling low, it really does feel like a lowered car. I dont find it as fun for a spirited drive but the other 90% of normal use its amazing.

Performance. There's not regret. And if it's Novated, there's really no reason not to. The Stop light drag strip is always there. It's always a hoot and the Seal is such a sleeper. The Premium is great value but it's not supercar quick, which for a few dollars more, you can legitimately get with the Performance. There's quite a few posts like this one already, check the search if you still need more to read. "I wish my car was slower" - No-one, ever.

Premium for a cheaper, faster (top speed) and more sporty (rwd) solution. Performance for 0-100 and awd comfort

Also came from a GR86 and now driving a 2024 performance! You will love to speed for sure and the AWD performance with iTAC switched on is insane! But however I always found my seal is too front heavy for my liking, definitely give the 2025 premium a chance before you pull the trigger!

Are you talking miles or km?

have you test driven the premium? its like... wrx fast...but instantly available from 0 rpm so it feels even nicer as if you were on boost the entire time... i decided that was fast enough. It probably is fast enough now that i have had it for a few months and I do use the range. it is a lighter car so it might handle better too... don't really know tho

Just on this, for the love of God please don't go with the insurance the leasing company organises for you. Was about a 2.5k a year difference for me, plus you pay interest on theirs.

Definitely agree with this. The floaty feeling as though you've left the ground was weird, but that feel when the power kicked back in was really unsettling. I've left it in sport mode for now as a result, but it's a touch too heavy to be comfortable - choosing the lesser of two evils unfortunately.

This is the way. I also had the same decision to make, and back in May ended up with the 2025 Performance. (Used to have an S4) Have gone up Mt Tamborine, Nebo, etc. a few times, and even in sport mode, you do feel the weight of the car in the corners. You end up driving the car differently. Much like the WRX was get it slowed down for the corner, get round, straighten and floor it - the Seal Performance needs to be driven a bit like that. The Continental Eco Contacts (or whatever they are) that come standard can't be helping here. I'm planning on going to a set of Pilot Sports when these wear out. As others have said - it's *stupid fast* - and whenever I do put the foot down, even in Normal mode, and I get reminded of it, it still puts a smile on my face.

24 performance owner here. If you feel like you want it, just buy it, it’s comfortable, it’s fun, and it changed the way I look at commuting. It’s now effortless and doesn’t take away from my day to day. I average 480km per charge, it’s not that low, I actually lowered mine further. https://preview.redd.it/s2dg9mvrmsjg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c3ba68da38de2020c10943e6e6ecb23207f8734

Nice wheel design! Fits very well.

I struggled with the same dilemma when I purchased my Seal two years ago. Heart wanted performance and had wanted premium. I took them both for a spin and couldn't justify paying $10k extra for the performance, especially as the premium had more than enough acceleration in sports mode. What I didn't know at the time, and something that sales person didn't highlight, was that the performance is AWD which makes it safer to drive in wet weather. I probably would have gone with the performance of I knew that . Having said that, the premium has been faultless.

Ha, good advice. I had a heavy V8 that needed the same technique. Nothing like the ev acceleration though. Upgraded tyres seems to be a cheap mod when they're due. A few overseas owners are putting on coil overs and sway bars and say the handling is much more suited to the power.

Thanks, looks great. Coil overs?

Good point, thanks.

We'll have to see if I can get that past the Department of Treasury. Dropped off The Daughter's friend last night, and on the way home had a couple of guys in their (louder) STI pull up next to me. Smoked them from 2 sets of lights. Third set we wound down the windows, and I said I'd give them a head start. Gave them a car length start - and still blew past them before I hit the speed limit of 70.

Just Eibach springs at this stage.

Thanks mate, took a while to find the right wheels.

Kiwi here. I had a GT86 as a daily driver for 8 years and then went to the Seal Performance. Absolutely zero regrets, makes me smile every time I drive it. Those days when I'm driving far enough that the extra range would actually matter, I just make sure to stop for a break and some food somewhere with a decent charger so the range of the performance has been enough for everything I need it to do.

Compare the [BYD Seal specs](https://zecar.com/electric-vehicles/byd/seal/2023/premium) side by side

BYD Premium Seal here, 2025 facelift model (comes with FSD suspension and auto panoramic roof shade). In sport mode, car feels more planted and has less sway when doing hard turns vs economy mode even though the suspension isn't "active"... they're passive without any computer input. Road noise is minimal, comparable to the new Mazda 3 2022+ models, cabin is very quiet which is superb. Drove 120kph on the freeway, sounded great compared to a Mazda 3 2014 which was notorious for NVH. Acceleration even in Eco mode is fast. Sport mode is just stupidly fast and for an unexperienced EV driver, too powerful for daily use. Turning in the roundabouts and corners feel great, not much in the way of body roll at all. One complaint, however, is that if they car is slowly going over many pits on the road the car rocks back and forth quite badly. Body roll at that point is dialled to an 11 and you question why you chose this car... Thankfully you don't encounter these sorts of road often :) It's a nice soft ride, a big car housing big power ready to be unleashed when you want it.

I came over from a 2023 BRZ manual. I drive a Premium and the 230kw in sport mode is plenty for street use. I sometimes find myself wanting something with a bit more drama (engine noise) but the comfort and practicality more than make up for it.

Yes, there will be things I miss for sure. I love a manual and I'm worried the Seal will not be engaging, but it's a new experience.

In terms of driving dynamics, it’s really not very engaging to drive at all. Steering feel is non existent, the suspension is very soft and roll control is poor. Having said that, an engaging drive eventually becomes exhausting if you commute long distances or work a physically demanding job. I am usually physically exhausted after work and I couldn’t care less about driving dynamics, I just want a cushy car to get home in.

IF I had the money, I'd go performance for the new suspension system. FSD on the Premium does indeed feel a bit rocky on rocky roads (lol).