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.
SEAL has a modest catalogue-index lead, while X4 remains close.
SEAL starts ZAR 192,100 cheaperSEAL from ZAR 1,007,900 · X4 from ZAR 1,200,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
SEAL
X4
Maximum Power
SEAL390 kW
X4285 kW
Maximum Torque
SEAL670 Nm
X4500 Nm
Engine Size
SEALNot Applicable
X42998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
SEALNot Applicable
X412.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
SEAL145 mm
X4140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BYD SEAL
Performance AWD 3.8S
Hagalu editorial rating
4.4/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
SEAL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
X4
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
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
X4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
SEAL
X4
Model Introduced Year
2024
2018
Generation
First South African SEAL generation
Five-door coupé-style SUV from the established X4 generation, separate from X3 and without a current full-M derivative.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Current South African X4 listing retained on BMW’s live range; current exact identities are xDrive20d and M40i.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Medium Sedan
Premium SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Car
Spec
SEAL
X4
Length
4800 mm
1 mm
Width
1875 mm
1 mm
Height
1460 mm
1 mm
Wheelbase
2920 mm
1 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
145 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
400 l
472 l
Kerb Weight
2185 kg
1555 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2631 kg
2060 kg
Payload Capacity
446 kg
452 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
992 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
941 mm
Front Legroom
1110 mm
1038 mm
Rear Legroom
810 mm
883 mm
Spec
SEAL
X4
Engine
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
Not Applicable
B48
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
2998 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
6
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
390 kW
285 kW
Maximum Torque
670 Nm
500 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front + Rear
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
3.8 sec
4.8 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
178.5 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
306.6 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
82.56 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
550.4 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
520 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
150 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
37 min (10-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
SEAL
X4
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front and rear electric drive units
Rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Available
M sport differential
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Yes
Differential Lock
Not Available
Yes
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Available
Yes
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Crystal gear shifter
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
AWD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
Electronically controlled AWD
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Yes
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Yes
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Yes
Low Range
Not Applicable
Yes
Axle Layout
4x4
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not Available
Yes
Transmission Speeds
1
8
Spec
SEAL
X4
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
1 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
1
Combined Driving Range
520 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
18.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
425 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
510 km
420 km
Spec
SEAL
X4
Airbags
9
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Standard
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
SEAL
X4
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Standard
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Yes
Spec
SEAL
X4
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with decorative stitching
Heated Seats
Standard
Front
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Synthetic leather
Steering wheel M Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
M Sport Seats
Spec
SEAL
X4
Climate Control
Automatic
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Standard
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Automatic
Standard
Spec
SEAL
X4
Infotainment System
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Yes
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
12
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
2
Infotainment Screen
15.6
14.9
Touchscreen
15.6
14.9
Spec
SEAL
X4
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Yes
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Sky Black, Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, North Ice Blue, Rosemary Gray, Wind Grass Green
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Yes
Spec
SEAL
X4
Approach Angle
13 deg
25 deg
Departure Angle
14 deg
23 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Auto; Sport; Eco
Locking Differential
Not Available
Yes
4WD System Type
Electric all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Spec
SEAL
X4
Tyre Size
235/45 R19
Runflat tyres
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
M Sport brakes
Rear Brake Type
Disc
M Sport brakes
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
19
20
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
SEAL
X4
Front Suspension
Double wishbone
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
SEAL
X4
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
1 g/km
Spec
SEAL
X4
Service Plan
5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
SEAL
X4
Ownership Role
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
1211900 ZAR
1600000 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
1211900
1600000
Starting Price Zar
1211900
1600000
Spec
SEAL
X4
Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This SEAL and X4 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: SEAL 100 vs X4 97.
Efficiency index: SEAL 90 vs X4 57.
Safety-equipment index: SEAL 98 vs X4 92.
Practicality index: SEAL 57 vs X4 60.
Ownership-cover index: SEAL not separately scored vs X4 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
SEAL and X4 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 8 points
SEAL has a modest catalogue-index lead, while X4 remains close.
Performance
SEAL +3
Efficiency
SEAL +33
Safety
SEAL +6
Practicality
X4 +3
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEAL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
57/100
X4
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
60/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEAL
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 78 pts for X4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEAL leads. However, X4 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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