Cupra Formentor vs BYD Seal

What's the difference?

VS
Cupra Formentor
Cupra Formentor

$51,990 - $94,990

2026 price

BYD Seal
BYD Seal

$38,999 - $60,490

2024 price

Summary

2026 Cupra Formentor
2024 BYD Seal
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Electric
Fuel Efficiency
-

0.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Small boot in PHEV
  • Formentor S runs out of puff
  • Lots of tyre roar

  • Software needs a little work
  • Distance-limited warranty
  • Small boot
2026 Cupra Formentor Summary

We’ve waited more than two years and it’s finally here.

Cupra has introduced the updated version of its most popular car in Australia, the Formentor.

A spicy small SUV rival to the likes of the Mini Countryman, BMW X2 and Audi Q3, among others, this design-led small SUV is now offered in more flavours than ever before.

It’s our first time testing out this updated Formentor on local soil, so read on to see how it stacks up.

View full pricing & specs
2024 BYD Seal Summary

BYD. The three letters which keep auto executives from the world's top brands up at night.

The brand’s meteoric rise in Australia from a trickle of imports to a torrent of Chinese-built EVs, outselling even Tesla in the first month of 2024, is testament to this relative newcomer’s ability to surprise and impress its buyers and the industry as a whole.

The car we’re looking at for this review, the Seal, could be its biggest challenge yet. Not only does it have to compete head-to-head with the car which put EVs on the map for mainstream buyers - the Tesla Model 3 - but it also has to vie for a share of the increasingly shrinking sedan market.

So, what’s the deal with the Seal? Is it any good? And, why did BYD choose to name it after a marine mammal? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Cupra Formentor 2024 BYD Seal

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