BYD Sealion 7 Review: A New Contender in the Electric SUV Market

IRSHAD Khan Admin

Jan 10, 2025

BYD Sealion 7

BYD’s all-new electric SUV takes on the big boys, Tesla Model Y, last year’s best seller. A fully electric family SUV, the Sealion 7 has innovative features, fast charging and loads of space for modern family needs.

This is BYD’s bid to redefine electric mobility and meet the growing demand for sustainable high-performance vehicles.

BYD Models

BYD’s vehicle naming is inspired by marine life. Models like the BYD Dolphin (compact hatchback) and BYD Seal (Tesla Model 3 competitor) follow this theme. Interestingly the Seal U is a plug-in hybrid, not a full electric.

The BYD Sealion 7, is an SUV counterpart to the Seal and sits above the Ato III in BYD’s hierarchy. This shows BYD’s intention to offer multiple electric and hybrid options to cater to different customer needs.

BYD Sealion 7 Variants

The Sealion 7 comes in three trims: Comfort, Design and Excellence.

Comfort Trim:
82.5 kWh battery.
Single rear motor powering the rear wheels.
Design Trim:
Dual-motor all-wheel-drive.
82.5 kWh battery for more power and flexibility.
Excellence Trim:
Dual motors like the Design trim.
91.3 kWh battery for more range and performance.

Each trim is designed for different driving needs, from daily commutes to high performance.

Battery and Safety

Electric vehicles are often sceptical about safety, especially fire risks. However, studies from Sweden and the US show that EVs are 20 times less likely to catch fire than gasoline or diesel cars.

The BYD Sealion 7 uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries developed in-house by BYD. These batteries are:

Cobalt-free: Eco-friendly and sustainable.
Durable: Long lifespan.
Safe: Improved thermal stability reduces fire risks, safer.

Though takes up a bit more space, these batteries give a safer and more solid driving experience.

Performance and Charging

The BYD Sealion 7 has competitive performance across trims:

Excellence Trim:
Weight: ~2.5 tons.
Range: 311 miles (500 km).
Design Trim:
Weight: Lighter.
Range: 283 miles (455 km).
Comfort Trim:
Weight: ~2.2 tons.
Range: 300 miles (482 km).

Though the range doesn’t beat the Tesla Model Y, the Sealion 7’s charging speed is impressive:

Excellence Trim: 10-80% in 24 minutes (faster than Tesla Model Y’s 27 minutes).
Comfort and Design Trims: 32 minutes for the same charge (smaller batteries).

This is perfect for users who want efficiency and minimal downtime.

Interior and Practicality

The Sealion 7 has a roomy and practical interior for families:

Cargo Space:
520 litres under the parcel shelf.
58-litre front storage compartment for small items.
Rear seats can be folded for larger cargo.
Passenger Comfort:
Heated rear seats in all trims.
Ventilated front seats for extra comfort.
A flat rear floor eliminates the transmission tunnel, more comfortable for middle-seat passengers.
Plenty of leg and foot room for rear passengers, but headroom may be a bit tight for tall people.
Storage:
Big door bins.
Seatback pockets and extra cubbies for small items.