We drive the most recent mannequin from BYD, which just lately overtook Tesla to turn out to be world’s main EV maker…
In 2024, Tesla made barely much less (4,500) electrical automobiles than Chinese language powerhouse BYD. A small margin, perhaps, however a large assertion. BYD is now the largest producer of electrical vehicles globally.
Based in February 1995, BYD (Construct Your Goals) has expanded quickly because it launched within the UK in 2023.
For the reason that Atto 3 SUV’s introduction, the model’s new fashions have been named after marine mammals, therefore the Dolphin, Seal, Seal DM-I and the topic of this week’s evaluate – the Sealion 7 giant household SUV.
And let’s be clear – the BYD Sealion 7 has its work minimize out, as a result of it’s up in opposition to the whole lot from the Tesla Mannequin Y, Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the Renault Scenic E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Capri.
Pried from £44,990 to £58,990, the Sealion 7 (the fourth mannequin in BYD’s Ocean Sequence) is accessible with two battery choices and three trim ranges.
Consolation and Design include an 82.5kWh battery, providing as much as 300 miles vary on RWD fashions and 283 miles on AWD. The highest-spec Excellence AWD trim boasts a 91.3kWh battery, attaining the longest vary within the line-up at 312 miles.
The one motor RWD has an influence output of 308bhp, delivering 0-62mph in a decent 6.7 seconds. The twin motor AWD fashions have 523bhp and rocket to 62mph in simply 4.5 seconds.
Entry-level variations supply as much as 150kW DC quick charging (10-80% top-up in 32 minutes), whereas the range-topping Excellence has a 230kW DC cost fee (10-80% in 24 minutes).
A warmth pump is fitted as customary to all fashions, serving to to maximise vary, notably in chilly circumstances.
Primarily based on the identical platform because the BYD Seal saloon, however with a coupe-SUV physique model, the Sealion 7 is modern and distinctive with a low-slung bonnet. BYD reckons the “twin waistline” styling mimics “the vitality of ocean waves”.
The Sealion 7 is barely longer than its predominant rivals, which implies there’s wonderful area inside.
Rear leg and headroom is spectacular, whereas the boot is a helpful (however not class-leading) 520 litres, rising to 1,789 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s additionally a 58-litre frunk underneath the bonnet, which is right for storing charging cables.
The Sealion 7 is solidly screwed collectively and the standard of the supplies used contained in the cabin offers it an aesthetic really feel.
All variations of the Sealion 7 have a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen which might rotate from panorama to portrait, plus a separate driver’s digital instrument cluster.
Regardless that I’m not an enormous fan of minimalist dashboards, I may reside with the BYD’s over, say the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is simply too touchscreen-centric and doesn’t also have a driver’s show.
The Sealion 7 is properly geared up too. Consolation fashions get heated seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone local weather management and a wi-fi charging pad, Design spec provides 20-inch alloys, whereas Excellence fashions function Nappa leather-based seats and a head-up show.
All Sealion 7s get a full suite of driver help and security tech. No marvel it was awarded a most five-star ranking by Euro NCAP.
The driving place is on the excessive facet for me, even at its lowest setting, however I settle for that many drivers desire that. It’s additionally price noting that the steering wheel angle is barely odd, pointing upwards fairly than immediately in the direction of you, so strive before you purchase.
Visibility is nice up entrance, however more difficult on the rear due to the chunky pillars and modest tailgate window, which makes the standard-fit 360-degree digicam all of the extra necessary – particularly when parking.
I examined the all-wheel drive model of the BYD Sealion 7 on a mixture of UK roads, and the primary impression is that it feels substantial (although not unwieldy) to drive.
Naturally, it’s additionally quiet and refined, and as you’d count on, traction is great too.
For a automotive that’s marketed as an “electrical efficiency SUV”, it actually ticks that field when it comes to uncooked energy, delivering a hefty 509 lb-ft of torque. So, it’s very fast, due to that additional motor.
BYD claims the Sealion 7’s suspension is “tailor-made for wonderful dealing with and safe car management” with double wishbones on the entrance and a multi-link rear axle.
It’s additionally the primary BYD mannequin in Europe to be geared up with Frequency Delicate Dampers (FSD), a variable system that controls the oil stream within the damper cylinders, guaranteeing a comparatively agency set-up on smoother surfaces to enhance stability and dealing with, however permitting a softer, extra compliant configuration when the automotive encounters potholes or scarred highway surfaces.
Nonetheless, whereas its dealing with is on a par with the Tesla Mannequin Y, in my thoughts that’s a reasonably low bar. It’s not as partaking as I’d hoped and doesn’t reside as much as the hype, which is disappointing provided that its saloon sibling (the Seal) is so slick.
The two.4-tonne Sealion 7 can really feel unsettled over poorer surfaces, and there’s some physique lean at quicker speeds in more difficult corners.
In the end, the mix of excessive driving place, spongy brake pedal and restricted steering really feel don’t offer you a lot confidence to totally get pleasure from twisty roads.
You’ll be able to toggle between three driving modes (Eco, Regular and Sport), whereas Snow is reserved for excessive climate circumstances.
As ever, the default Regular mode affords steadiness of energy and economic system. Eco dulls the driving expertise, whereas the steering is mild in each modes.
Sport sharpens the throttle response and companies up the steering, however eats up the battery, so finest left for brief bursts of enjoyable.
Two ranges of regenerative braking are supplied, although I’d desire steering wheel-mounted paddles fairly than the toggle change on the centre console.
Relying on which mannequin you select, effectivity ranges from a claimed 2.8 to three.1 miles per kWh. Apparently, I managed a bit greater than that on my take a look at drive, however real-world vary might be round 225 miles for the entry-level Sealion 7, or 270 miles for the top-spec Excellence AWD. As ever, driving model and circumstances may also have an effect on the vary.
Lastly, for those who’re searching for a little bit of peace of thoughts, the Sealion 7 comes with a six-year producer’s guarantee (above common) and eight years for the battery and electrical motor.
Verdict: The BYD Sealion 7 is an actual assertion of an SUV and a severe rival to the big-selling Tesla Mannequin Y. Fashionable, quick, plush, sensible and full of tech, will probably be on many individuals’s EV shortlist. Nonetheless, vary and worth may rely in opposition to it.
BYD UK
