BYD Sealion 7: Here Are All The Things We Liked And Disliked About The Premium Chinese EV

The BYD Sealion 7, which was previously sold only in international markets, has now been launched in India. This big electric SUV coupe from the Chinese automaker is available in two different variants with a single battery pack option. We have tested this EV extensively, and based on our experience, here’s everything we liked and disliked about the car.

BYD Sealion 7: The Good Things

The BYD Sealion 7 comes across as a premium electric SUV that offers the feel of a luxury car from how it looks or the features it offers, that too without the high price tag of some big-name German brands. It looks sleek and stylish and has a coupe-like roofline, which is in fact very much the trend these days, to give it a striking road presence and make it look far more expensive than it actually is.

Step inside, and the experience is just as impressive. The interior quality is top-notch, with soft-touch materials used generously on the dashboard and door panels. In fact, it feels as premium as, or even better than, some luxury cars. As for features, the Sealion 7 gets things like a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen, powered front seats, ADAS and as many as 11 airbags. These are features that even some expensive luxury SUVs don’t offer at this price.

The Sealion 7 is also smooth and fast in terms of performance. You get sports car-like outputs while still being as easy to drive as a regular family SUV. It has a big 82.56 kWh battery and based on our expert’s driving experience, a real-world range of over 500 km could be achieved, meaning you have more than enough for daily commutes as well as long drives. You can read more about the Sealion 7’s driving and performance here.

BYD Sealion 7: The Problems

While the BYD Sealion 7 impresses in many areas, it does have a few downsides. One of the biggest concerns for some buyers could be the lack of brand value. Unlike luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, or even established Indian carmakers like Maruti, Mahindra or Tata, BYD is still relatively new in India and that too a Chinese brand. 

This means that some buyers may not feel the same sense of prestige when owning one and pertaining to the usual reputation of Chinese goods, they might be skeptical about a purchase in the first place.

What else we didn’t like was its ride quality. While the car handles well, its suspension feels a bit firm, especially on bad or uneven roads. This means that rough patches, bumps and potholes can be felt inside the cabin more than expected. If you're someone who often drives on poorly maintained roads, this could be a factor to consider. You can read more about it in detail here.

BYD Sealion 7: Price And Rivals

The BYD Sealion 7 is priced from Rs 48.9 lakh to Rs 54.9 lakh (ex-showroom) and it rivals the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volvo EX40 and the BMW iX1 LWB.

If you’re looking for a stylish, high-tech electric family SUV and don’t mind the relatively new brand name, the Sealion 7 could be a great choice. However, if you’re someone driven by some sort of trust and loyalty sentiments you are bound to give it a second thought. 

So, what would you do? Let us know in the comments.