Update (May 30, 2026): Experience section added to the story.
The BYD Sealion 7 is a new mid-size electric SUV from BYD’s Ocean series, which includes models like the Dolphin, Seal and the Seagull. The Tesla Model Y rival is coming to European showrooms soon. I got to spend some time experiencing the BYD Sealion 7 at the Paris Motor Show 2024, and this is my analysis.
Design
The Sealion 7 features a sporty look with a coupe-like design and noticeable styling elements such as twin rear spoilers and double wheel arches. At the front, it comes with LED headlamps with DRLs that stream into the bumper, a trapezoidal lower grille, and sharp bumper appliques.
On the sides, it features flush door handles, 4 individual glass sections, a strong shoulder line, and an unmistakably sporty roofline.
At the rear, the combination lamps are connected and resemble a dumbbell shape, a recognizable design trait of the Ocean series models.
While the Sealion 7’s design incorporates plenty of curves and is streamlined for aerodynamics, there can be no confusing it with the other crossovers from the BYD family such as the Seal U or the Atto 3.
Interior & Features
The BYD Sealion 7 offers plenty of premium touches, including ambient lighting, a glass-like gear lever, and Nappa leather. The wraparound dashboard and four-spoke steering wheel are well designed and feel quite premium.
Key features of the new electric SUV include LED headlights, dynamic turn signals, 20-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch rotatable touchscreen, AR-HUD, V2L capability, and a 12-speaker audio system from Dynaudio.
Experience in the Sealion 7
I found the BYD Sealion 7’s driving position very comfortable, with excellent back support, generous seat adjustment, good thigh and shoulder support, and abundant side bolstering. The fixed integrated headrest did not feel limiting.
The HUD is convenient, easy to read, and shows turn-by-turn navigation, helping me keep my eyes on the road. The steering wheel feels chunky, adjusts manually for reach and rake, and uses several grey finishes that give the cabin some visual depth.
The wireless phone charger has its own air vent, and the center armrest storage is cavernous. Headroom and outward visibility are very good, and the higher seating position helps. In the rear, the seat is comfortable, reclines manually, and can seat three abreast.
My size 12 shoes fit under the front seat, though my knees sat slightly high. Rear air vents, USB ports, a glass roof, and easy ingress and egress improve comfort.
Specifications
The BYD Sealion 7 is 4,830 mm long (190.2 in.), 1,925 mm (75.8 in.) wide, and 1,620 mm (63.8 in.) tall and has a 2,930 mm (115.4 in.) wheelbase. It offers 520 liters (18.4 cu. ft.) of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,789 liters (63.2 cu. ft.) with the rear seats folded down.
In the UK, BYD offers the Sealion 7 in Standard-Range RWD, Standard-Range AWD, and Extended-Range AWD variants.
Standard-Range RWD
The Standard-Range RWD variant has only one motor, producing 230 kW and 380 Nm of torque, which gives the EV a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 134 mph. An 82.5 kWh LFP battery pack powers this motor, allowing the EV to travel 300 miles on a full charge, as per WLTP.
Customers can charge it at up to 11 kW (AC)/150 kW (DC), and it takes 32 minutes for a 10-80% DC fast-charging session.
Standard-Range AWD
The Standard-Range AWD variant adds a 160 kW front motor. The front and rear motors together develop 390 kW and 390 Nm of torque. The twin-motor powertrain reduces the 0-62 mph acceleration time to 4.5 seconds, but it does not change the top speed.
The same 82.5 kWh LFP battery pack, chargeable at up to 11 kW (AC)/150 kW (DC), supplies energy to these motors. It delivers a WLTP range of 283 miles.
Extended-Range AWD
The Extended-Range AWD variant is my pick. It has the same twin-motor powertrain and offers the same performance as the Standard-Range AWD variant. However, it swaps the 82.5 kWh LFP battery pack with a 91.3 kWh unit, which is chargeable at up to 11 kW (AC)/230 kW (DC).
Fast-charging it from 10-80% through a DC charger takes 24 minutes, and on a full charge, you can drive it up to 312 miles, also as per WLTP.
Price & Release Date
The BYD Sealion 7’s prices range from GBP 44,990 (USD 56,628) to GBP 57,290 (USD 72,109) in the UK, where customer deliveries are scheduled to commence between January and March 2025. In addition to the Tesla Model Y, the new EV challenges models like the VW ID.5 and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
