Read Caroline’s BYD Sealion 7 review for everything you need to know about buying this new electric SUV in Ireland.
BYD has been growing its presence in Ireland and Europe with a range of hybrid and fully electric models. The BYD Sealion 7 is the latest to land here and slots into the range above the award-winning BYD Seal saloon.
With sporty crossover looks and some serious performance, the Sealion 7 offers an even more upmarket experience behind the wheel along with an astonishing list of comfort features.
But is it a good match for rivals like the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y?
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
The Sealion 7 is part of BYD’s Ocean Series, joining the Dolphin, Seal and Seal U. It borrows design cues from the sleek BYD Seal saloon I reviewed last year, particularly at the front where slim LED lighting gives it a smart, futuristic look. It has the typical chunky stance of an SUV with plenty of cladding, which adds character. At the rear, it’s anything but generic with a stylish, sloping roofline and twin rear spoilers. Look closely and you’ll notice a quirky water droplet motif in the tail lights, a nod to its ocean aesthetics.
There are just four colours on offer. Entry-level Comfort models sit on 19-inch alloys. The more powerful dual motor Design and Excellence versions upgrade to 20-inch wheels. Sporty Michelin tyres and red brake calipers hint at the Sealion 7’s electric performance.
Interior
Step inside and you’re greeted with a tech-rich cabin that’s very well appointed with plush leather seats and plenty of soft touch materials for an upmarket feel no matter which version you go for. There’s a full digital driver display and the centrepiece is BYD’s trademark 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Standard equipment is exceptionally good with all versions coming with heated front seats with power adjustment and lumbar support, heated rear seats, panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging.
Practicality
Rear seat passengers benefit from a completely flat floor thanks to the bespoke EV platform and generous legroom, with the added comfort of reclining seat backs. There are also Isofix mounts on the front passenger seat and two outer rear seats, making it family-friendly.
Boot space stands at a useful 520 litres, which is a little off the gigantic Enyaq but still very useful with a powered tailgate and an additional 58-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.
Battery and range
The Sealion 7 is available with two battery sizes and either rear wheel drive (Comfort) or all wheel drive (Design and Excellence). The Comfort and Design use an 82.5kWh LFP battery, delivering up to 482km in the rear wheel drive Comfort and 456km WLTP range in the all wheel drive Design. The Excellence AWD ups the ante with a 91.3kWh pack, offering up to 502km of range.
These are solid figures but some versions of the Enyaq and Model Y offer more range. That said, BYD includes a heat pump as standard for better real-world efficiency in cold weather.
Charging
DC fast charging is brisk: up to 150kW for the Comfort/Design and 230kW for the Excellence, allowing a 10-80% top-up from a fast charger in 24–32 minutes depending on the model.
Driving
With up to a massive 523hp, the Sealion 7 AWD Design model I tested is seriously quick when you put your foot down: 0–100km/h is just 4.5 seconds, which is referenced on the boot lid in case anyone is in any doubt. While the power is impressive, the driving dynamics are softer overall. The steering feels vague and the suspension is on the soft side, making it more of a relaxed cruiser than a sharp-driving SUV. Sport mode does tightens things up and make the steering more weighty, but a Model Y is more fun to drive.
On the positive side, the BYD offers excellent comfort levels on Irish roads, from motorway to bumpy rural roads. It doesn’t feel too firm in town like some electric SUVs can and goes over ramps like a dream. It may not quite live up to its stellar performance figures with the right degree of pin-sharp handling, but the comfort and refinement levels are arguably of more value to Irish motorists looking for a good electric SUV with decent range.
During my time with the Sealion 7, I witnessed energy consumption of 21.4 kWh, which did seem on the high side for my summer test. A Model Y is more efficient in my experience.
BYD Sealion 7 Pricing
Pricing for the Sealion 7 starts from €45,435 for the Comfort RWD with the 82.5kWh battery. The Design AWD model (tested here) starts from €52,390, while the range-topping Excellence AWD is priced from €56,490 and gets the larger 91.3kWh battery.
All versions are exceptionally well-equipped with no extensive options list.
Is the BYD Sealion 7 a good car?
BYD has been growing its presence in Ireland by adding new models like the Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV. The soon to arrive Dolphin Surf will certainly keep things interesting for buyers looking for an affordable electric city car.
But it’s the Sealion 7 that has the most difficult task at hand in the hotly-contested electric SUV market. The newcomer makes a big splash with standout style. It’s really a very attractive car: chunky and sporty, all at the same time.
It’s certainly fast but its softly sprung nature makes it more of a comfy cruiser than a budget Porsche Macan. And that should be fine for a lot of buyers in this market. Throw in the spacious cabin with a great finish and lots of standard features, and the Sealion 7 becomes a compelling choice of its own among electric SUVs.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
The post BYD Sealion 7 Review | Stylish electric SUV tested appeared first on Changing Lanes.