The Sealion 7, BYD’s most recent product, establishes the Chinese automaker as a powerful player in India’s luxury EV market. The Seal sedan had already indicated BYD’s intention to disrupt the market, following the early days of the e6 (since evolved into the eMax 7) and the Atto 3, which encountered some difficulties. With significant improvements increasing its appeal, the Sealion 7, the crossover version of the Seal sedan, goes one step further.
BYD Sealion 7: Exterior and Design
Ground Clearance Boost: With a ground clearance of 170mm instead of the Seal sedan’s 145mm, the Sealion 7 offers a much-needed practical enhancement. After all, it’s an SUV that is expected to attract more purchasers.
Crossover Proportions: Although not a typical SUV, the Sealion 7 chooses a coupe-SUV crossover design, which gives it a compact appearance despite its 4.8-meter length and 2.9-meter wheelbase. However, given the higher nose, the design might not be as eye-catching as the Seal sedan’s.
Wheel Options: The big rear diffuser adds a sportier touch, and the standard model’s 19-inch wheels (20-inch on the AWD variant) are housed in muscular wheel arches.
Also read: BYD Sealion 7: Can It Roar, or Is It Just Flopping Around?
BYD Sealion 7: Interior
Clean, Luxurious Interior: The BYD Sealion 7’s interior is impressive, thanks to premium materials, a neat dashboard design, and ambient lighting, but it doesn’t push the envelope like the Seal sedan.
Spinning Touchscreen: This time, a stylish digital driver’s display is combined with the recognizable 15.6-inch spinning touchscreen. It stands out in its market because of its build quality, which is on par with leading premium brands.
Comfort and Space: The seats are exceptionally comfortable with vented cushioning, particularly in the front. Because of the extended wheelbase, passengers in the back seat also have plenty of legroom. The cabin feels spacious thanks to its large windows, but window curtains would make it more comfortable.
BYD Sealion 7: Features and Safety
Advanced Features: The Sealion 7 has many technological features, such as dynamic ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, a gesture-controlled tailgate, and wireless smartphone connectivity. It also boasts a high-resolution 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS, and eleven airbags.
Driver Attention Monitor: Besides providing a wealth of information, a heads-up display and an excessively cluttered digital driver’s display can also be distracting. However, the Sealion 7’s technological architecture is difficult to match in this category.
BYD Sealion 7: Battery, Range, and Charging
Battery and Range: The Sealion 7 is powered by a bigger 82.56kWh Blade Cell LFP battery. While the dual-motor variant, which has a slight weight increase, achieves 542km, the single-motor version boasts a remarkable 567km range. In real life, you should still be able to reach 500km.
Charging: A 150kW DC fast charger replenishes rapid battery, making fast charging capabilities noteworthy. However, the slower 7kW maximum power of the home wall box charger might be a drawback for some.
Driving Impressions
Performance: With 523 horsepower and 690 Nm power, the dual-motor variant can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. The RWD version’s 310 horsepower is sufficient for daily driving, while the AWD version feels calm and nimble.
Driving Dynamics: The Sealion 7 doesn’t aim to be a sports SUV, even with its pleasant handling and seamless acceleration. First and foremost, it is a luxury vehicle with a relatively firm ride appropriate for its weight. However, the dual-motor model’s 20-inch wheels may produce perceptible bumps on uneven terrain.
Comfort-Oriented Ride: The driving experience puts comfort over sporty performance, and it’s ideal for leisurely long drives thanks to a calm ride that’s more European than soft.
Specifications:
| Category | Specification |
| Dimensions | Length: 4.8 meters, Wheelbase: 2.9 meters |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm |
| Wheels | 19-inch (base), 20-inch (AWD variant) |
| Battery | 82.56kWh Blade Cell LFP battery |
| Range (WLTP) | 567km (RWD), 542km (AWD) |
| Motor Power | RWD: 310hp, AWD: 530hp |
| Torque | AWD: 690Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds (AWD version) |
| Charging | 150kW DC fast charging, 7kW home wallbox |
| Features | 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, 12-speaker Dynaudio, wireless smartphone integration, 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS |
| Safety | 11 airbags, Driver Attention Monitor, Heads-up Display |
| Price | Starts at Rs. 48.90 to 54.90 lakh (approximately $59,000 – $66,000, ex-showroom) |
Price and Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7, now priced between Rs 48.90 to 54.90 lakh (approximately $59,000 – $66,000, ex-showroom), enters the competitive EV crossover market. It goes head-to-head with the Kia EV6, Volvo C40 Recharge, and Mercedes-Benz EQA. While BYD has a smaller sales and service network compared to these established brands, it’s steadily expanding its presence in the market.
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