BYD launches feature-rich Qin L EV sedan, starting at $A26,300

Chinese car giant BYD has officially launched a new low priced electric SUV, called the Qin L EV, with a starting price in China equivalent to $A26,300, and will feature the company’s latest smart driving tech it calls God’s Eye.

The latest model’s price goes up to $A30,600 and comes equipped with several additional features including a heads up display and larger 15.6-inch rotatable centre infotainment screen, the same size that is found in the company’s Atto 3 and Seal EVs in Australia.

The Qin L EV comes in at a much lower price than BYD’s more premium Seal sedan which currently comes in at just over $A38,500 in the Chinese market.

The new sedan is powered by 110 kW or 160 kW motors, depending on the model. These are less powerful than the one found on the Seal which deliver 230 kW in the entry-level rear-wheel drive version.

Two batteries are also available on the Qin L. Both include BYD’s lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) blade battery packs, coming with either a 46.1 kWh, or a 56.6 kWh battery found on the variants with the 160 kW motor.

The smaller pack will deliver around 470 km in CLTC range while the larger battery is rated at 545 km of CLTC range. These can be expected to have a WLTP range of between 400 and 450 kms.

According to BYD, official energy consumption is expected to be around 10.8 kWh for every 100 km, making it one of the more efficient vehicles in its class.

Charging these batteries from 30-80% will take around 24 minutes, which is fairly respectable for an affordable sedan.

From the regulatory government filings last month, other details such as the weight of the car was also seen to be ranging from 1,670 kg up to 1,800 kg, much lighter than the Seal which ranges from 1,922 kg and goes all the way up to 2,185 kg.

The increased weight in the Seal is likely due to the heavier battery pack that has a higher capacity across single and dual-motor powertrains.

One other comparison worth noting is that the Qin L is slightly smaller in length compared to the Seal, coming in at 4.7 m.

On the design front, the mid-sized sedan has sleek styling across the profile of the car.

The door handles appear more conventional but are more flush with the door for improved aerodynamics.

One detail showcased, is the availability of a drink, coming in at 65 litres. This will be appreciated by many buyers looked for extra storage at the front.

The all-new Qin L’s launch comes in at an interesting time, a month before the Shanghai Auto Show. Given its price point, it’d sell quite well in the Chinese market.

Locally, BYD’s Seal electric sedan has proved to be quite popular in Australia with over 6,000 units delivered in 2024.

A more affordable model in the electric sedan space without many of the bells and whistles could do quite well, especially amongst the ride share and fleet purchasers, looking to transition Toyota Corolla and Camry sedans locally.