BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB range and performance and interior feature – Introduction

The premium electrical autos (EV) area has actually begun to warmth up. Whereas there weren’t any choices between the Rs 25 lakh MG ZS EV and the Rs 1 crore Mercedes EQC earlier, now there are as many as six EVs priced round Rs 50 lakh on sale. Of those, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the just lately launched BYD Sealion 7 and the domestically made BMW iX1 LWB look like probably the most compelling. We introduced the three collectively and put them by our real-world exams to see which one deserves a spot in your storage.

All three EVs measure over 4.6 metres in size, over 1.8 metres in width and have a 2.8-metre or longer wheelbase. The BYD is the longest and the widest, the BMW is the tallest, and the Hyundai trumps the opposite two in wheelbase size. As for his or her underpinnings, the BYD and Hyundai have born-electric platforms, which permit for higher packaging and inside area. As such, these two function a correctly usable frunk (entrance trunk), which the ICE-to-EV transformed BMW lacks.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB exterior design and engineering

Every of those three EVs follows a special kind issue. The Ioniq 5 takes the form of a big hatchback; the iX1 is extra like a conventional SUV, whereas the Sealion 7 seems to be like a coupé-SUV. It actually relies on which fashion you like, however all of them stand out in their very own method with distinctive design parts.

The Ioniq 5 has a neo-retro look with sharp cuts and creases and distinctive multi-spoke, dual-tone alloys, and I significantly like the oblong lighting parts. In distinction, the Sealion 7 has a extra rounded design that goes with BYD’s household look. It does look massive and ungainly from the entrance, however the massive alloys and the tapering roofline add some aptitude. On the rear, there’s a linked lighting aspect, which has some good particulars. The BMW is probably the most typical by far and has that upright stance of an SUV. It options BMW’s signature kidney grille, which seems a bit too massive, as do the LED headlights. Its facet profile doesn’t look probably the most proportionate, due to the longer wheelbase and the smaller 18-inch wheels; the rear is sort of much like the usual X1, with massive, L-shaped LED tail-lamps.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB inside area and luxury

The Sealion 7’s inside is fantastically completed and loaded with tech, however the instrument cluster is cluttered.

All three EVs have distinct identities contained in the cabin as nicely. Beginning with the Sealion 7, you’re greeted with a comparatively conventional-looking dashboard, which homes the screens for the touchscreen infotainment system and the motive force’s show. The 15.6-inch touchscreen, in typical BYD trend, can change orientation from panorama to portrait, may be very slick to function, has high-res graphics, and even will get an up to date UI over its siblings. This display controls many of the automobile’s capabilities, however it’s good that there are some bodily controls within the centre console and a neat trick to regulate the AC with out going into the sub-menus. All you need to do is swipe on the display with three fingers from left to proper for fan velocity and from prime to backside for the temperature.

Tinted glass on the again helps maintain the Sealion 7 cool.

The motive force’s show, too, is high-res, however it seems very cluttered, and plenty of the necessary information seems small. However you need to commend BYD for the excellent materials high quality and fit-and-finish, which really feel on par with European luxurious manufacturers.

The BYD’s high-res 360-degree digital camera is without doubt one of the finest.

Within the centre console, you get two wi-fi charging pads and two cup holders; there’s even some space for storing under the console. The entrance seats function air flow, have simply the correct amount of cushioning and are very comfy for occupants of all sizes. On the again, too, the seats really feel plush and will be reclined; there’s a great deal of area, significantly legroom. The massive home windows and the glass roof elevate the sense of area.

BYD’s 500-litre boot can slot in quite a bit.

BYD has additionally packed the Sealion 7 with options like wi-fi smartphone integration, a 12-speaker Dynaudio music system, powered entrance seats, auto headlamps and wipers, a gesture-controlled and powered tailgate, dynamic ambient lighting, and rather more. As for security, there are 11 airbags, together with one between the entrance seats and two for the rear facet bolsters. There’s additionally Stage 2 ADAS, a crisp 360-degree digital camera, and a driver-attention monitor, which is method too delicate – even briefly glancing on the touchscreen generates a warning.

The Sealion 7’s rear seat is massive on area and feels the plushest.

As for the brand new iX1 LWB, it has the identical sprint design because the ICE-powered X1 and the iX1 xDrive30, with a big, curved show that features the infotainment touchscreen and the instrument panel. There are massive, horizontal AC vents on the passenger facet of the sprint and underneath the display, under which a sizeable wi-fi charging pad is positioned. The centre console extends from the centre armrest and homes a few of the automobile’s key capabilities. The screens, whereas excessive in decision, are too difficult tonavigate initially and on the go. Whereas the match and end are nice, some supplies decrease within the cabin are laborious and scratchy.

The steering is often BMW with a chunky rim; the touchscreen has swallowed too many controls, and the UI is complicated.

The entrance seats are supportive, however bigger passengers might discover them slim, they usually don’t have air flow, which the opposite two EVs present. The cushioning is firmer than the BYD’s. Whereas the seats might not appear as comfy initially, you’ll really feel the cushioning is well-judged the longer you spend time in them. It’s on the rear the place you get to expertise the advantages of an extended wheelbase. Although you’re seated fairly low and in a little bit of a knees-up place due to the underfloor battery, you get acres of legroom; the seat base is longer by 15mm, and the backrest will be reclined as much as 28.5 levels, all of which make it extra comfy than the usual wheelbase model of the iX1. In comparison with the BYD, although, the BMW feels narrower inside, and the backrest cushioning is on the firmer facet. What additionally would’ve added to the consolation is rear solar blinds, that are additionally lacking within the BYD.

The iX1 has probably the most legroom however doesn’t get sunshades.

The BMW is the least feature-rich EV right here, however it nonetheless will get stuff like a big panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, auto LED headlamps, linked tech, a smartphone-enabled key, leather-based upholstery, eight airbags and Stage 2 ADAS tech.

BMW’s 490-litre boot is the smallest right here.

Now, let’s come to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Step inside it, and also you get an excellent sense of area, due to the large glass space, gentle colors, flat flooring and the absence of a conventional centre console. Hyundai has used recycled and sustainable supplies inside, and what’s nice is that the match and end, in addition to the contact and really feel of bits, are top-notch. Nonetheless, the white upholstery stains very simply, as you’d sometimes anticipate.

The Hyundai’s cabin is well-finished, logically laid out and massive on practicality; UI is the best to make use of.

Headlining the sprint are two 12.3-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and the opposite for the infotainment. These shows are crisp and straightforward to learn, and the UI is less complicated to grasp and navigate than that of the opposite two. The steering is a 2-spoke unit that homes a spherical drive-mode selector, whereas the drive-selector stalk is beneath the headlamp stalk. Uniquely, your entire centre console slides back and front to tailor the area and entry. There are additionally loads of storage areas, resembling an enormous drawer instead of the glove field, massive door bins and the centre console itself.

The Ioniq 5’s entrance seats are cooled, heated and get ottomans.

The entrance seats are broad and supremely comfy, with mushy cushioning and loads of electrical changes, together with extendable leg rests, and they are often configured into a comfortable lounger. In addition they have air flow and heating. The rear seats, although not as comfortable as those in entrance, are simply large sufficient for 3 adults, with the outer two seats that includes heating and electrical adjustment. Nonetheless, you’re seated in a knees-up place as a result of battery underneath the ground.

The Hyundai’s rear seats are large sufficient for 3, however you’re seated in a knees-up place.

The Ioniq 5 additionally packs in a panoramic mounted glass roof, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, a 360-degree parking digital camera, dual-zone local weather management, an electrical boot, ESP, six airbags and ADAS. Wired smartphone integration is a downer, although.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB options and security

The Hyundai will get paddles to regulate regen; one-pedal mode’s additionally there.
 

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB efficiency and refinement

All three EVs featured right here have completely different drive layouts. The Sealion 7 has an all-wheel drive (there may be additionally an RWD model), the Ioniq 5 is rear-wheel drive and, quite unconventionally, it’s the BMW that’s front-wheel drive. The BYD, on this dual-motor Efficiency guise, additionally has a transparent benefit by way of output (530hp/690Nm), adopted by the Hyundai (217hp/350Nm) and the BMW (204hp/250Nm). And that is mirrored within the efficiency figures. The Sealion 7 Efficiency makes the 0-100kph dash in a brisk 4.43 seconds, in comparison with the Ioniq’s 7.48 seconds and the iX1’s 11.30 seconds. It’s the identical story in rolling acceleration, with the BYD comfortably outperforming its rivals.

Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty of how these really feel prefer to drive, one factor every of them does admirably nicely is delivering energy in a linear method, not like EVs of previous, which served up all of their efficiency in a single massive chunk proper from the get-go. All three additionally get drive modes, which have an effect on throttle sensitivity, energy supply and vary.

Let’s begin with the BYD, which simply feels the quickest of the lot. What’s good is that it is ready to put its energy down in a tidy method, due to the AWD system. On the transfer, you’ll additionally recognize how easy and progressive the ability supply is. And whereas the powertrain is silent, you’ll begin to hear extra of the skin world as you get nearer to triple-digit speeds regardless of it that includes double-glazed entrance home windows.

Equally, within the Hyundai, you don’t get that neck-snapping acceleration; the ability supply is sweet and easy. However that’s to not say that you simply’ll really feel a scarcity of efficiency, because the Ioniq 5 feels sprightly within the Sport mode. The throttle modulation has additionally been judged very nicely, and it seems like a standard ICE automobile to drive. What’s additionally good is that suspension, street and tyre noises barely disrupt the silence of the cabin.

The BMW, by far, feels probably the most relaxed out of the trio, and whereas it packs over 200hp, given the burden it has to haul round, it may depart you wanting extra, like while you need to make a fast overtake. Because it has a front-wheel drive, there’s additionally some torque steer to cope with when pushed flat out. As for sound insulation, it isn’t as quiet on the transfer because the Ioniq however fares higher than the Sealion 7.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB vary

Like with the output and efficiency, there’s the identical pecking order in relation to battery sizes, too. The Sealion 7 has an 82.56kWh unit with BYD’s blade cell LFP battery know-how. The Ioniq 5 has the second-largest battery pack at 72.6kWh, and the BMW has the smallest at 66.4kWh; these two use the NMC battery chemistry. Nonetheless, the Ioniq 5 has the very best claimed vary of 631km, adopted by the Sealion 7 (542km) and the iX1 (531km).

In our real-world vary take a look at, the Ioniq 5 got here out on prime with a calculated total vary of 457km, considerably increased than the opposite two. The iX1 LWB had a 398km vary, and given the additional energy, the BYD delivered the least vary of 371km. And, as is the case with most EVs, all three had been extra environment friendly within the metropolis cycle, the place they’ll recuperate extra power. 

The transfer to the lengthy wheelbase has come at the price of some agility.

All three get a number of regen braking modes, however the BMW has a bonus right here with 4 modes; the Hyundai will get three, whereas the BYD has solely two. One should be aware that the BMW additionally has an adaptive regen mode, however it’s not very intuitive, and the Hyundai is the one one in which you’ll flip off regen, permitting free of charge coasting. Nonetheless, the BMW’s mode controls are baked into the touchscreen, making it tedious to vary them on the transfer, and it’s additionally probably the most aggressive of the lot. Then again, the BYD feels the least aggressive, even in its ‘Excessive’ mode. It’s the Hyundai’s regen that’s finest tuned, with a pure really feel within the decrease stage, and you’ll even alter ranges or flip it off through paddle shifters. Additionally, the iX1 and the Ioniq 5 are able to one-pedal driving.

Regardless of enormous 20-inch alloys, the journey is supple.

The Ioniq 5 is the clear winner in relation to charging speeds, as it’s able to DC quick charging at speeds of as much as 350kW, which is sufficient to take it from 10 to 80 % in simply 18 minutes. The BYD will be charged as much as 150kW on a DC quick charger. Each these are additionally able to V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2L (vehicle-to-load) capabilities, whereby they’ll cost different EVs and energy/cost different units. The BMW will be fast-charged as much as 130kW.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB journey consolation and dealing with

As for journey and dealing with, the Sealion 7 has a touch of firmness to its journey, however it manages to cope with street imperfections pretty nicely. The 20-inch wheels on this AWD model are a fly within the ointment, making it really feel crashy over bumps. Given its mass and excessive centre of gravity, the BYD rolls a good bit round bends, and its steering feels just a little too fast.

Smaller 18-inch wheels assist give it a comfortable journey.

The Ioniq 5 feels planted in any respect speeds, and also you’ll just like the maturity with which it drives. The steering is direct and has a superb heft, however it doesn’t really feel sporty to drive, which is ok given its concentrate on consolation. And regardless of sitting on these massive 20-inch alloys, the journey feels comfortable and well-damped, and the Ioniq 5 offers with the tough stuff pretty nicely. There are some minor vertical actions over enlargement joints, however it feels well-controlled.

In the meantime, the lengthy wheelbase has affected the BMW iX1’s dealing with simply as you’d anticipate. It doesn’t really feel as agile because the common wheelbase, dual-motor iX1 xDrive30, however it nonetheless grips corners admirably nicely with little physique roll to talk of. The journey high quality, like in most BMWs currently, is superb. It feels very absorbent and does a superb job of constructing the iX1 really feel composed over most surfaces.

BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX1 LWB value and verdict

The iX1, which has BMW’s badge worth to financial institution on, has loads of area on the again and may be very attractively priced at Rs 49 lakh; dynamically, it’s the perfect right here. Nevertheless it has its shortcomings – it isn’t as geared up because the others; the infotainment system is unnecessarily complicated and has swallowed plenty of key capabilities; the rear-seat backrest cushioning is agency, and sure plastics decrease within the cabin really feel misplaced on a BMW.

Now let’s sum up the Sealion 7. It’s BYD’s most rounded providing in India but and has all the things we love concerning the Seal sedan in a extra sensible bundle. The inside high quality and fit-and-finish are top-notch; it’s obtained all of the tech and options you want, a snug backseat, and probably the most highly effective drivetrain that’s fairly easy. It’s additionally the one one right here with all-wheel drive (Rs 54.90 lakh), although there’s an RWD model with a better claimed vary of 567km however a decrease output (310hp, 380Nm) and a price ticket of Rs 48.90 lakh, which continues to be dearer than the Hyundai and with a decrease promised vary. The Sealion 7 loses floor in its real-world vary, which is the bottom, and it isn’t as well-rounded in lots of particular issues – the sound ranges contained in the cabin are excessive, the journey isn’t as plush, and the motive force’s show is cluttered. After which, there’s BYD’s relative lack of an aftersales community.

And this brings us to the winner, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It standsout as probably the most approachable and well-rounded bundle. The cabin is spacious, the seats are very comfortable and distinctive, and the infotainment is straightforward to navigate. The Ioniq 5 can be probably the most pure to drive, has the perfect real-world vary and might cost on the quickest tempo. To prime it off, it’s probably the most inexpensive, too, at Rs 46 lakh. It’s no marvel then that the Ioniq 5 received our Automobile of the 12 months 2024 award and this comparability, too.

Additionally see:

BMW iX1 LWB vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Sealion 7 video comparability

BYD Sealion 7 vs Seal: value, vary, options and specs in contrast