Snitz drills down: Tesla model3 vs BYD's equivalent. Which is better?

BYD has been gaining on or surpassing Tesla's in almost every market globally, except in the US where Voldemort and Musk make sure you can't buy one. Imagine if the Federales had acted similarly with Japanese and South Korean automobiles?

Examples:

Germany-BYD surpassed Tesla this year.

France-Tesla sales fell 40-50% this year.

UK-Tesla sales dropped 60% this year, BYD selling 3x Tesla.

Now for the Elephant: China-Tesla sales in 2024 over 4 million to Tesla's 700,000. Note-incomplete data for 2025.

I thought I'd use AI to help compare Tesla's Model three to BYD equivalent. My example assumes your a buyer in the EU.

Tesla Model 3 vs BYD Seal: EU Market Comparison

For a typical EU buyer, these two sedans are closely matched competitors with key differences in pricing, technology, and driving experience. Here's the breakdown:

Pricing (as of late 2025)

Tesla Model 3:

Entry-level Standard RWD: ~€37,000-38,000 (Germany)

Long Range AWD: ~€50,000

BYD Seal:

Comfort RWD (61.4 kWh): ~€40,000

Design RWD (82.5 kWh): ~€45,000-47,000

Excellence AWD: ~€49,000-51,000

Tesla recently launched a cheaper "Standard" variant to compete more aggressively, while BYD dealers often offer significant discounts from list prices (sometimes down to €38,000).

Range & Battery

The BYD Seal generally offers competitive or better range:

BYD Seal Design RWD: 570 km WLTP (82.5 kWh LFP battery)

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 660 km WLTP

BYD Seal Comfort RWD: 460 km (61.4 kWh)

Tesla Model 3 RWD: 520 km WLTP

Charging: Tesla wins here - up to 250 kW Supercharging (10-80% in ~25 minutes) vs BYD's 150 kW (10-80% in ~37 minutes). However, BYD includes V2L (vehicle-to-load), letting you power devices from the car's battery.

Performance

Both offer strong performance:

BYD Seal AWD Excellence: 390 kW, 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds

Tesla Model 3 Performance: 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds

BYD Seal Design RWD: 5.9 seconds

Tesla Model 3 RWD: 6.1 seconds

Reviews consistently praise the Tesla for sharper handling and more engaging driving dynamics, while the BYD emphasizes comfort with a softer suspension.

Interior & Technology

Tesla: Ultra-minimalist with everything controlled via a 15.4" center screen. No stalks on newer models (buttons on steering wheel for indicators/gear selection). No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Superior software with over-the-air updates and best-in-class Autopilot for highway driving.

BYD: More conventional layout with physical buttons, traditional stalks, and a rotating 15.6" touchscreen. Includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, driver display screen, and head-up display (AWD models). Reviewers describe it as having "Audi-level build quality" and "Genesis-levels of luxury" with premium materials.

Space & Practicality

The BYD Seal is slightly larger (4,800mm vs 4,720mm) with more rear seat space, but less cargo capacity:

BYD: 400L trunk + 53L frunk

Tesla: 594L trunk + 88L frunk

Warranty

BYD offers substantially better coverage:

BYD: 6 years/150,000 km (vehicle), 8 years/200,000 km (battery)

Tesla: 4 years/80,000 km (vehicle), 8 years/160,000 km (battery)

Market Context

BYD overtook Tesla in European EV sales in April 2025, signaling a major market shift. Tesla has been struggling with declining registrations across Europe (down 40-59% in many markets through 2025), partly due to aggressive Chinese competition and some brand perception issues.

The Verdict

Choose Tesla if you prioritize:

Superior charging infrastructure (Supercharger network)

Best software/tech integration and autonomous driving features

Sportier, more engaging driving dynamics

Long-distance range efficiency

Choose BYD Seal if you prioritize:

Better value for money (typically €5,000-10,000 cheaper for equivalent specs)

More luxurious interior with conventional controls

Better warranty coverage

More rear passenger space

V2L capability

Both are excellent EVs with 5-star safety ratings. The Tesla remains the tech leader with superior software and charging infrastructure, while the BYD offers better traditional luxury, space, and value—particularly appealing if you're not heavily reliant on long-distance fast charging.