A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Phantom
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
SEAL
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
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Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Model Introduced Year
2018
2024
Generation
Eighth-generation Phantom in standard-wheelbase Series II form
First South African SEAL generation
Facelift History
The eighth-generation Phantom was presented globally in 2017, introduced in South Africa in 2018 and received its light-touch Series II evolution in 2022
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2022
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Four-door luxury saloon
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Full-size super-luxury saloon
Medium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion passenger car
Passenger vehicle
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Length
5762 mm
4800 mm
Width
2018 mm
1875 mm
Height
1646 mm
1460 mm
Wheelbase
3552 mm
2920 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
136 mm
145 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
136 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
530 l
400 l
Kerb Weight
2560 kg
2185 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3235 kg
2631 kg
Payload Capacity
675 kg
446 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.55 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1046 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
978 mm
920 mm
Front Legroom
1041 mm
1110 mm
Rear Legroom
1105 mm
810 mm
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Engine
6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
N74B68A
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6749 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
12
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
V
Not Applicable
Valves
48
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Applicable
Bore
89 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
90.4 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000 rpm
390 kW
Maximum Torque
900 Nm @ 1700 rpm
670 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
2
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front + Rear
Drive Type
RWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
250 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.3 sec
3.8 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
164.1 kW/tonne
178.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
351.6 Nm/tonne
306.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
82.56 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
550.4 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
520 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
150 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
37 min (10-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Front and rear electric drive units
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Not Available
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
Crystal gear shifter
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Rear-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
8
1
LSD Available
-
Not Available
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Standard
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Claimed Mileage
6.29 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: No
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
6.29 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
90
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
566-581 km (calculated from 90 L and 15.5-15.9 l/100 km WLTP)
520 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
18.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Mixed
608 km
510 km
Range Real World Highway
-
425 km
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Airbags
8
9
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Low tyre-pressure warning
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front driver and passenger seatbelt warning sensors
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Standard
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Front Head Protection System
Standard
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Standard
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front driver and passenger seatbelt warning sensors
Standard
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Standard
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Standard
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Alertness Assistant
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Standard
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Standard
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Standard
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Standard
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Seat Material
A-grade leather hides with Bespoke alternatives
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Front and rear
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Front ventilated seats fitted to the referenced exact 2026 vehicle
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
No
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Electric adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Leather seat trim fitted to the referenced exact 2026 vehicle; Bespoke alternatives available
Synthetic leather
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Automatic
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access keyless entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Push Button Start
Standard
Wireless Charging
Wireless smartphone charging
Standard
Sunroof
No
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Power open/close luggage compartment
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Standard
AC Type
Automatic four-zone climate control
Automatic
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth wireless technology
Standard
Number of Speakers
16
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch colour TFT display with LED backlighting
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen, concealed behind retractable veneer when not in use
15.6
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen, concealed behind retractable veneer when not in use
15.6
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
LED Headlamps
Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime-running lights
LED
Fog Lamps
Front fog lamps
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke and two-tone exterior paint commissions
Sky Black, Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, North Ice Blue, Rosemary Gray, Wind Grass Green
Headlights
Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No lockable differential
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Electric all-wheel drive
Approach Angle
-
13 deg
Departure Angle
-
14 deg
Breakover Angle
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Tyre Size
255/50 R21 109H M+S all-round; 255/45 R22 107Y front and 285/40 R22 110Y rear; 255/50 R21 109Y front and 285/45 R21 113Y rear
235/45 R19
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
21- and 22-inch approved fitments
19
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone front axle with self-levelling air suspension
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Five-link rear axle with self-levelling air suspension
Multi-link
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
CO2 Emissions
361 g/km
0 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
95 RON; minimum 91 RON
-
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Service Plan
4 years / unlimited km
5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Ownership Role
Flagship saloon balancing owner driving with formal rear-passenger use
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Pricing Role
Price on application
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Price Zar
-
1211900 ZAR
Starting Price
-
1211900
Starting Price Zar
-
1211900
Spec
Phantom
SEAL
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This Phantom and SEAL comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Phantom 96 vs SEAL 100.
Efficiency index: Phantom 29 vs SEAL 90.
Safety-equipment index: Phantom 95 vs SEAL 98.
Practicality index: Phantom 67 vs SEAL 57.
Ownership-cover index: Phantom not separately scored vs SEAL not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Phantom and SEAL image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
SEAL leads by 11 points
SEAL has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Phantom remains close.
Performance
SEAL +4
Efficiency
SEAL +61
Safety
SEAL +3
Practicality
Phantom +10
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEAL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
57/100
Phantom
Performance
96/100
Efficiency
29/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
67/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEAL
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 75 pts for Phantom
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEAL leads. However, Phantom may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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