BYD SEALION 7 390kW Excellence AWD 91kWh 5dr Auto

Cars like BYD's Sealion 7 will in future be European-built to preserve this Chinese maker's Western sales surge. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

With this Sealion 7, BYD brings us its most sophisticated car yet, an upper mid-sized electric Coupe-SUV with the engineering and luxury to take this Chinese maker firmly into premium territory, as well as threatening cars like the Tesla Model Y and the Volkswagen ID.5.

Background

If the European makers thought that imposing stringent tariffs on the flood of Chinese-built EVs entering our market, they may need to think again. For the reasons as to why, let's take the car in front of us here as a case study, the BYD Sealion 7. This BYD flagship model, a luxury Coupe-SUV, will initially be hit with a costly EV tariffs, but from 2026 when the Chinese maker's new Hungarian factory comes on stream, it will by-pass these entirely. And it's at that stage that the competitors being targeted here - cars like better Volkswagen ID.5s and Tesla Model Ys - will really feel the force of BYD. In the short-term though, the Sealion 7 will be relatively rare sight on this continent's roads, the third of this maker's models branded with a nautical name (following the Dolphin and the Seal). It aims to encapsulate everything BYD has so far learned as a car maker. Which as it turns out, is quite a lot.

Driving Experience

In this case, there are two kinds of Sealion; docile and fierce. The docile entry-level 'Comfort' version uses an 82.5kWh battery and is propelled by a 308bhp single rear motor which can power the car for up to 300 miles. It makes 62mph in 6.7s en route to 113mph. The fiercer versions use a dual motor powertrain where that rear motor is joined by a 215bhp front motor, creating a potent total output of 523bhp. This dual motor set-up can be had in 'Design AWD' form with the 82.5kWh battery, which goes 283 miles on a charge. Or in 'Excellence AWD' form with a larger 91.3kWh battery, which goes up to 312 miles on a charge. The dual motor versions have a '4.5 S' badge on the boot lid, which denotes the 0-62mph time. Quite a lot of the engineering and drive dynamics are shared with the Seal saloon, which we've tested and been favourably impressed by. BYD says it's put particular work into the suspension, which is tailored for 'excellent handling' and 'secure vehicle control'. The dual motor AWD model that UK sales will be focused on boasts a new 'Intelligent Torque Adaption Control' (iTAC) system, able to allocate toque between the wheels to prevent skidding and maximise safety. Expect excellent refinement and all the usual semi-autonomous driving aids. Handling should be aided by a stiffer version of the e-Platform 3.0 used by the Seal, which BYD calls the e-Platform 3.0 EVO. A key technical difference compared with other EVs is the way that BYD's pioneering Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery installation integrates the Blade Battery into the entire vehicle structure, with the top cover of the pack also acting as the floor of the passenger compartment. CTB features a high-strength honeycomb-like aluminium structure, enhancing safety - and using the battery pack as a structural component also helps to deliver impressive torsional stiffness.

Design and Build

With the Sealion 7, BYD says that it's taken the 'Ocean' design language previously seen on its Dolphin and Seal models and adapted it to 'a sporty SUV body style'. Which means that this car wants to be a luxury mid-sized Coupe-SUV, like say, a better Volkswagen ID.5 or an Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron. At the side, a crisp crease rising along the flanks creates a dual waistline and there's a muscular haunch over the rear wheel. Black cladding around the wheel arches adds the required crossover vibe. And at 4,830mm in length, it's quite a substantial thing (30mm longer and 160mm taller than the Seal). The pavement presence of the swept-back profile is matched by an angular front featuring BYD's signature 'X-face', with thin Dual U 'floating' LED headlights and prominent air intakes. The back has a subtle roof-mounted 'ducktail' spoiler and BYD's usual full-width light bar with 'water-drop- tail lights. More important of course is what you can't see, the advanced e-Platform 3.0 EVO underpinnings. Inside, the cabin is similar to that of the updated Seal. Through the 4-spoke wheel, you view the same digital instrument screen and a head-up display mimicking a virtual 50-inch 'screen' the driver. Plus there's a huge 15.6-inch central touchscreen that as usual with BYDs can rather pointlessly rotate to show either portrait or landscape formats. Equipment of course is generous, with climate-controlled leather seats front and rear, twin wireless smartphone charging pads in the centre console and a big 2.1 square metre panoramic glass roof. Thanks to the generous 2,930mm wheelbase length, there should be space for three adults across the back seat, helped by the fact that the rear roof line is 160mm taller than that of the Seal. There's a decently-sized 520-litre boot too, which grows to 1,789-litres with the rear bench folded). Plus you get 58-litres of 'frunk' space beneath the bonnet.

Market and Model

Budget at around the £45,000 mark for this Sealion 7 in base 'Comfort 82.5kWh form - or around £49,000 for the mid-range 'Design AWD' 82.5kWh model. For the top 'Excellence AWD' version with the bigger 91.3kWh battery, you'll need around £57,000. In the UK, BYD has established partnerships with key dealerships, and opened 60 stores across the nation, including a flagship showroom in Westfields Shopping Mall, West London, with plans to double this figure by the end of 2025. Interestingly for an unknown brand, BYD isn't looking to substantially undercut its main competitors on price. But equipment levels are high. Across the range, the cabin gets a 15.6-inch rotatable screen equipped with an intelligent voice control function that can be activated with the voice command 'Hey BYD'; and seamless smartphone integration via 'Android Auto' or 'Apple CarPlay'. It also features a 10.25-inch full instrument LCD panel and an impressive Dynaudio Performance Audio System provides premium quality sound. In terms of safety and advanced driver assistance, the Sealion 7 offers Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Lane Keep Assistance, Lane Change Assist and Emergency Lane Keep. There's also Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Cruise Control, a 360-degree Panoramic Camera, Blind Spot Detection System, ESP, Traction Control, Hill Decent Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, Intelligent Speed Limit Information and Intelligent Speed Limit Control. Cutting-edge lighting technology provides a wider beam to aid visibility during night driving, with high beam assist, adaptive headlights and Follow Me Home as standard.

Cost of Ownership

The battery used here is of the unique-to-BYD lithium-ion-phosphate 'Blade' variety, which incorporates cells mounted in the strips directly to the pack. Which, the Chinese maker says, allows for a much higher cell density than a conventional battery could offer. So a much higher driving range then? Afraid not. The 300-312 mile range figures of the top Dual Motor models are reasonably class-competitive, but way off being class leading. To preserve driving range in cold conditions, a heat pump is standard. Seal customers benefit from what the brand calls 'a high-voltage electric drive boost charging solution', which allows for faster charging. This technology innovatively uses the motor inductor to replace the boost inductor, to meet the 420-750V voltage range of charging piles with high-power DC charging. During the charging process, this BYD's drivetrain reduces the heat generation of the charging and distribution assembly for more reliable performance. The Seal offers an 11kW 3-phase on-board charger for AC charging, and the 91.3kWh version can be fast-charged at a DC ultra-fast charging station at up to 230kW; it's up to 150kWh for the smaller 82.5kWh battery. With the 91.3kWh model, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes (it's 32 minutes with the 82.5kWh model). You'd think that BYD building, designing and owning this car's entire set of EV drivetrain components (including battery and semiconductors) would allow the company to make the Seal able to offer a truly modern 800V electrical architecture capable of allowing charging with the new breed of ultra-rapid DC public chargers - something we've already seen in this class with the Hyundai Motor Group products. But no, it's the same conventional 400V system as everyone else uses.

Summary

Right now, choosing a BYD of any kind - particularly this exclusive flagship model - feels something of a left-field choice, but in the future it won't be. In a few years time with production from its Hungarian factory in full swing, BYD will be a true rival for the VW Group, Ford and Stellantis on our continent; and this Sealion 7 gives those brands a foretaste of the kind of products they're going to be up against. There's almost everything here you might want, not only in a Tesla Model Y or Volkswagen ID.5-class mid-sized electric Coupe-SUV but also in something much pricier like an Audi A6 Sportback e-tron or Mercedes EQE SUV. And though we're surprised that a battery maker as accomplished as BYD still hasn't adopted kind of 800V electrical infrastructure for its cars that would enable them to use the fastest ultra-rapid DC Chargers, the range figures from the 'Blade' batteries on offer here seem competitive. So getting to know a Sealion might actually be worth thinking about. The Chinese makers are no longer merely 'coming'; they're here, they're good and with cars like this, they're here to stay.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

4 x One click lift window with anti-pinch

Front windscreen and front windows with UV protection, thermal insulation and soundproofing

Front windscreen with rain sensing wipers, defogging and defrosting function

Privacy glass rear windows with UV protection and thermal insulation

Privacy glass rear windscreen

Heated rear windscreen with defogging and defrosting function

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)

Hill hold control

Automatic emergency braking system

Electric parking brake with auto hold function

Traction control system (TCS)

Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic brake distribution

Communication

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Onboard 4G connectivity

In-car WIFI hotspot

Cloud service - BYD APP

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Forward collision warning

Rear collision warning

360 degree camera

Traffic sign recognition (TSR)

Lane departure warning

Blind spot detection

Rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake

Child presence detection

Front cross traffic alert and front cross traffic brake

Intelligent Power Braking System

Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)

Adaptive cruise control (ACC)

Front and rear parking radars

Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC)

Controller Deceleration Parking (CDP)

Lane centering control

Direct driver fatigue management

Driver distraction warning

Driving modes - Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow

Driver Convenience

Keyless system entry and start

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function

Electric tailgate with kick to open function

Quad zone intelligent voice control - "Hi, BYD"

Smartphone wireless charging - 1 x 50W

Appointment charging function

Driver Information

Navigation system

Head up Display

e-Call (emergency call)

10.25" Full TFT LCD instrument panel

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Exterior mirror turn signal lights

Exterior mirrors - Electrically adjustable, electrically folding, heated, reverse auto-tilt and position memory

Entertainment

DAB/FM Radio

12 speaker Dynaudio Sound System

15.6" Electrically rotatable touchscreen

Front and rear USB ports - 1 x 18W Type C + 1x 60W Type C

Exterior Body Features

Rear side wing doors

Panoramic roof with electrically adjustable sunshade

Front boot

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

Rear fog lights

LED third brake light

LED taillights

Follow me home (The headlights turned on in advance and delayed off function)

Cornering lights

Dynamic welcome light

Exterior mirror footlights

Dynamic turn signal lights

LED multicolour charging indicator

Intelligent high beam control

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone climate control

Rear air vents

Heat pump

PM2.5 air purification system

Negative-ion generator

Interior Features

Leather upholstery

Heated steering wheel

Front centre armrest with 2 cupholders

Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

Leather multifunction steering wheel

12V power outlet

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Front seat sun visor with illuminated mirror

Boot parcel shelf

2 x file pockets in front seats

Easy access mode

Interior Lights

Multi colour ambient lighting

Multi colour front seat footlights

LED four door lights, LED front and rear side reading lights, boot light, centre console light and glove box light

Safety

Driver airbag

Front passenger airbag

Height adjustable front seatbelts + pretensioners

Door open warning

Rear seat belt pretensioners

Side curtain airbags

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Front and rear seat belt warning

Front passenger airbag deactivation switch

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Front centre airbag

Front and rear side airbags

Electronic child safety lock

Seats

Heated front seats

Heated rear seats

3 seat rear bench

Single front passenger seat

Driver seat 8 way electric adjustment with position memory/4 way electric lumbar support adjustment/ventilation and memorized adjustment

Front passenger seat 6 way electric adjustment and ventilation

Integrated headrest in front seats

Split folding rear seats - 40/60

ISOFIX and i-Size for front passenger and outer rear seats

Electric leg support for driver seat

Manually adjustable headrest and backrest angle for rear seats

Security

Alarm

Immobiliser

2 x smart key and 1 x NFC key card

Wheel nut protection trim cover

Towing

Towing hook

Vehicle Charging

11 kW onboard charger

Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)

Mode 2 charging cable - Type G

VtoL power strip - Type G

Wheels - Alloy

20" Bi-colour alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Tyre nut covers remover

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 894

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 576

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 24

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 230

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 18

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 230

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 30-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 125000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 91.3

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 616

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 502

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 17.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 21.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 3.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.8

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 383

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 312

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 91.3

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 230

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Excellence

Coin Description: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 49E

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 93

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 76

NCAP Safety Assist %: 79

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 530

Badge Engine CC: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.5

Top Speed: 134

Engine Power - BHP: 530

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 390

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 509

Engine Torque - NM: 690

Engine Torque - MKG: 70.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 245/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4830

Width: 1925

Wheelbase: 2930

Width (including mirrors): 2189

Height: 1620

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2435

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2845

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 410

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 520

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1789

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 5.9

Exterior Body Features

Additional metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Space Black

Metallic - Indigo grey

Metallic - Polar white

Metallic - Atlantis grey

Trim - Leather

Leather - Black

Leather - Tahiti blue