2025 BYD Sealion 7 review: Tech laden luxury electric SUV – Introduction

With the BYD Sealion 7, the Chinese language model has really cemented its place as a high-end EV maker within the Indian market. 

Its first two choices, the e6 (now developed into the eMax 7) and the Atto 3, took some time to realize traction for numerous causes, whereas the Seal sedan was the primary signal that this was a model intent on upsetting the established order.

The Sealion 7 is the Seal’s crossover counterpart, and although the 2 share some similarities, there are tangible enhancements in key areas that give the newer mannequin a wider attraction.

BYD Sealion 7 exterior design

170mm floor clearance

For one, it’s an SUV, and that reality in and of itself will endear it to many extra consumers, however the extra sensible consideration is floor clearance, which is now as much as 170mm from the Seal’s 145mm. 

That apart, although, it’s not a conventional SUV in its proportions, which lean closely in the direction of the coupe SUV or crossover finish of the spectrum. 

2.9-metre wheelbase

At 4.8 metres lengthy with a 2.9-metre wheelbase, it’s not a small automotive, however its sloping roof and tightly skinned curves make it seem much more compact than it really is.

To those eyes, although it makes use of an developed model of the Seal’s design language, dubbed ‘Ocean X’, the proportions aren’t fairly as interesting because the sedan’s, notably its taller nostril, which carries a number of visible bulk.

19- and 20-inch wheels

That is offset considerably by the beneficiant use of distinction black trim, notably across the giant wheel arches that home 19-inch wheels (20-inchers on the AWD model) and an enormous diffuser that’s lower into the rear bumper.

BYD Sealion 7 inside area and luxury

The Sealion 7’s inside design shouldn’t be as characterful because the Seal’s, with a conventional-looking rectangular central console and a horizontal and flat dashboard, which does no less than combine some fascinating ambient lighting components.

15.6-inch rotating touchscreen

The digital driver’s show is integrated into that flat panel, and making a return is the signature rotating touchscreen, which stretches the tape at 15.6 inches throughout. 

What impresses essentially the most, as soon as once more, is the cabin high quality and match and end, that are really on par with the most effective luxurious manufacturers and, in sure areas, surpass them.

High quality nearly as good as luxurious automobiles

There’s soft-touch materials on even the decrease half of the dashboard, and you need to scratch across the footwell to discover a tough plastic bit.

Panel match is tight throughout the board, save for just a few ill-fitting panels on the door, and although fairly simple in its design, the cabin shouldn’t be and not using a few quirks, just like the door ‘handles’, that are extra like lift-up flaps. 

Comfy seats with beneficiant cushioning

The entrance seats are supremely snug (and ventilated), with a pleasant mixture of agency and mushy cushioning in simply the best locations.

The rear seats characteristic related cushioning and will be reclined fairly considerably, however extra vital is the quantity of area on supply, notably legroom, because of the lengthy wheelbase.

Massive glass space provides a spacious feeling

You’re seated fairly low relative to the window line, however there’s a big glass space that offers sense of airiness; window blinds would have helped, although.

BYD Sealion 7 options and security

Massive fastened glass roof with sunshade

Talking of glass, an enormous fastened glass panel stretches the size and width of the roof, however in contrast to within the Seal, you get a powered curler blind to dam out the solar on actually scorching days. One other small however useful change is that the AC vents are common, manually managed within the Sealion, and never electronically adjusted like within the Seal.

 

Driver’s show is cluttered

The screens, as earlier than, are extraordinarily slick with high-resolution graphics; nonetheless, the motive force’s show options an especially cluttered structure with far an excessive amount of info thrown at you, which is distracting.

There’s a heads-up show, too, and whereas it’s excessive in decision, it, too, locations far an excessive amount of knowledge in your discipline of view. The touchscreen, fortunately, has an improved UI, however we want BYD hadn’t stuffed so many primary features into it.

BYD Sealion 7 characteristic highlights 

The Sealion 7 may be very well-equipped, with the likes of wi-fi smartphone integration, a punchy 12-speaker Dynaudio music system, powered and ventilated entrance seats, computerized headlamps and wipers, a gesture-controlled powered tailgate, dynamic ambient lighting, dual-zone local weather management, a ventilated wi-fi telephone charger, and extra.

11 airbags, Degree 2 ADAS

On the protection entrance, there are 11 airbags, together with one between the entrance seats and two for the rear facet bolsters as nicely. 

There’s additionally ADAS with Degree 2 autonomous driving, one of many clearest 360-degree cameras round, and a driver consideration monitor that’s approach too delicate, given the sheer variety of distractions within the touchscreen alone.

BYD Sealion 7 battery, vary and charging

Not like the Seal, the Sealion 7 simply will get a single battery possibility – the bigger 82.56kWh pack that makes use of BYD’s standard-setting Blade Cell LFP know-how.

As much as 567km vary 

Nevertheless, with two powertrain choices, there are two units of vary figures as nicely – 567km (NEDC) for the single-motor model and 542km for the extra highly effective (and 100kg heavier) dual-motor variant.

BYD automobiles, in our expertise, come near their claimed vary figures, and although we weren’t capable of do a full vary check on this brief drive, our blended driving circumstances nonetheless yielded an equal vary of near 500km on the single-motor model.

7kW wallbox charger offered

On a DC quick charger, the battery will be charged at speeds as much as a powerful 150kW, whereas on an AC quick charger, it might probably do 11kW. However disappointingly, the house wallbox charger BYD provides maxes out at simply 7kW, which is sluggish for such a big battery.

The Sealion 7, like different BYD fashions, includes a vehicle-to-load (VTL) perform that allows you to cost different units, akin to audio system, electrical stoves, lamps and tenting gear, off the automotive’s battery.

BYD Sealion 7 driving impressions

We had been capable of spend a while with each variations of the Sealion 7, and there are some clear distinctions within the driving expertise. 

Twin-motor model makes 530hp

The AWD dual-motor model packs a considerable 530hp and 690Nm, permitting for a 0-100kph dash in simply 4.5 seconds, a determine we had been capable of obtain and confirm on our VBOX testing gear.

You’ll be able to really feel that efficiency benefit immediately and in any drive mode, however as you drive it longer, what you recognize extra is how tidily the AWD model places down its energy. 

The RWD has ‘solely’ 310hp and 380Nm, however in on a regular basis driving, these outputs really feel greater than ample for a luxurious automotive of this dimension.

Clean, progressive energy supply

At low and medium speeds, each variations serve up a clean and progressive energy supply, a lot in contrast to the flat or spiky shot of acceleration we’re used to from most electrical automobiles, which is welcome.

Nevertheless, when you get into triple-digit speeds, whereas the powertrain itself is silent (no artificially generated sound right here), you begin to hear extra of the skin world, notably on the rear, as whereas the entrance home windows are double-glazed for higher insulation, the rear ones should not.

Not as sporty because the Seal sedan

The Sealion 7 makes no pretence of being a sporty handler. The place the low-slung Seal sedan feels sharp and agile going round a nook at velocity, the SUV rolls fairly a bit, and also you immediately really feel the burden and better centre of gravity.

This isn’t a nasty factor, in fact, because it solely serves to elucidate the Sealion’s positioning as a cushty luxurious automotive and never a sports activities mannequin, though its ultra-responsive and fast steering is considerably at odds with this philosophy.

Composed and comfy journey

The journey has a slight firmness to it, one thing we normally anticipate from a European automotive, however on stability, that is higher suited to managing the two.3-tonne mass than an outright mushy suspension setup.

A slight spoilsport is the wheels, which are inclined to register a ‘thump’ as they go over bumps – one thing that’s extra pronounced with the 20-inch set that comes on the dual-motor model.

2025 BYD Sealion 7 value and verdict

The BYD Sealion 7 is the right reply for these consumers who had been intrigued by the prospect of the Seal however stayed away due to the bottom clearance or sedan kind issue. 

Causes to purchase a BYD Sealion 7

It brings again what we cherished – most notably the plush, well-put-together cabin, which genuinely feels proper on par with a European luxurious automotive.

BYD’s powertrain experience reveals within the smoothness and class of the facility supply and the way keenly the Blade Cell LFP battery clings on to each electron, maximising the vary.

There’s a number of tech within the Sealion 7, be it for infotainment, security or on a regular basis consolation and comfort, and whereas all of it’s helpful, we want a few of it was introduced in a extra user-friendly method.

BYD Sealion 7 value and rivals

At a value of Rs 48.90 lakh to Rs 54.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the BYD Sealion 7 confidently wades into the crowded area of electrical automobiles in India, armed with the newest tech and know-how. 

Equally priced crossovers embody the BMW iX1 LWB, Kia EV6, Volvo C40 Recharge and Mercedes-Benz EQA, of which the Kia comes closest in dimension and specs. 

BYD’s gross sales and repair community is small in comparison with these established manufacturers, however it’s rising, as is the prepared availability of automobiles.

As for the product itself, on first impressions no less than, it’s among the finest of its variety on the value, and a premium electrical automotive purchaser ought to undoubtedly have it on their shortlist.

Additionally see: