BYD introduces another vehicle to its lineup, the BYD Sealion 7. A direct challenge and good alternative to the Tesla Model Y, it comes with many interesting features.
Personally, I find it the most successful BYD model since the Chinese brand arrived in Europe—and now I’ll explain why.
BYD Sealion 7: our tops&flops
I’ve never been a fan of BYD’s design, but the Sealion 7 is undoubtedly the most beautiful model in the Chinese brand’s lineup, and also finally well-made in terms of quality. But beyond that, the car stands out from the rest for its very dynamic on-road behavior, primarily focused on comfort thanks to good sound insulation and overall setup, while still allowing for sportier moments thanks to a low center of gravity and precise steering—not to mention the 523 hp with direct torque that enables 0–100 km/h acceleration in 4.5 seconds, which isn’t bad for a crossover. On top of that, the chassis feels solid and conveys a sense of safety, and of course, there’s the usual BYD tech package, with highly efficient Blade batteries that offer excellent range. Not only that—this is also one of the fastest-charging BYD models, with DC charging power up to 230 kW, significantly reducing charging times. I recommend it if you’re looking for an electric car with a good balance of price, quality, and performance, while also offering plenty of space for the whole family.
What we like:
- Solid and high-quality build
- Excellent on-road behavior
- Stands out for its value for money
What we don’t like:
- Charging speed is good, but lags behind many competitors
- LFP batteries are still heavy compared to others;
- The OS is scattered and lacks coherence
Prices in Scandinavia
“Oceanic” Design for the BYD Sealion 7
The front end is immediately recognizable as part of the Ocean series—a line of vehicles inspired by the ocean, with names taken from marine animals. This one, in fact, is a Sea Lion.
From the side mirror, we can tell it supports keyless entry via card or smartphone, thanks to the NFC base. Meanwhile, the car’s sporty soul is reflected in the wheels, with visible red brake calipers.
The rear also echoes the rest of the Ocean lineup, with centrally connected taillights similar to those of the Seal. When lit up, they create a water droplet effect—a detail I always find charming and distinctive.
There are two spoilers: the main one above the roof, and a smaller one acting as a separator between the rear window and the trunk.
The trunk space is also very impressive: 520 liters minimum capacity, which increases to 1,789 liters with the rear seats folded down—plus an additional 58 liters in the frunk.
The interior
The interior is also the best we’ve seen on a BYD so far. The standout feature remains the rotating central touchscreen display—though I personally prefer it in horizontal orientation—running the latest version of the infotainment system. This marks a real step forward: the system is visually appealing, smooth, and intuitive to use, although the sound design could still be improved.
Unlike other Chinese brands that, like Tesla, opt for a closed system, BYD has wisely chosen to include compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which connect quickly and easily. Beyond that, it behaves like a real tablet, with multiple home screens, the ability to change wallpapers, and download apps.
There’s also a dual smartphone holder—unfortunately lined with faux velvet that doesn’t do a great job of keeping the device in place—but overall, the materials are top quality, ranging from aluminum to eco-leather, well-fitted plastics, and more faux velvet.
The front seats come with integrated headrests, while the rear ones are more traditional—but overall, they’re very comfortable. There’s also plenty of space in the back, even for someone like me who’s over 190 cm tall.
BYD Sealion 7: The Right Mix of Comfort and Performance
I’m quite convinced this car will stand out, as it’s a very smart proposition. It enters the market at just the right time, tapping into the most popular SUV segment right now: the coupé-fastback.
The car makes excellent use of its 523 hp from the two electric motors—especially in Sport mode, where the 4.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h are really noticeable and enjoyable. There’s also a decent level of customization for the driving setup, like adjusting the steering stiffness or performing more classic operations like deactivating ESC for a more spirited drive. Unfortunately, all of this must be done through the central screen, a solution I always find distracting.
You don’t hear a single rattle or wind noise, and that’s thanks to the chassis and overall build quality. What didn’t I like? The sounds—starting with the turn indicators. In general, all of the car’s sounds are quite intrusive. Worse still, not all of them can be turned off. Combined with some overly sensitive ADAS features like driver attention monitoring, the car tends to beep a lot. That’s a shame, because it detracts from the overall comfort the vehicle can otherwise offer.
On the other hand, the audio system is much better. It’s supplied by Danish brand Dynaudio, with deep bass and an immersive sound experience—a sign that the speakers are well-positioned, from the pillars and doors to the subwoofer in the trunk.
Range and charging
When it comes to range, it offers 500 km thanks to BYD’s in-house developed 82.5 kWh Blade Battery. It seems to hold up well, though this was only an initial test, so I couldn’t run full real-world range checks.
But the real added value here is the charging capability. It supports up to 230 kW of DC fast charging, allowing you to go from 10% to 80% in just 20–25 minutes, depending on conditions.
