BYD has been making it to the front page of multiple media publications in India for good reason. The Chinese automaker has established itself as a premier brand in the country, represented by technically-advanced and well-designed EVs. The BYD Sealion 7 EV is the latest in the company’s lineup for India – it’s based on the e-Platform 3.0 architecture.
The BYD Sealion 7 splashes onto the scene, cohabited by the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volvo C40 Recharge. This all-new midsize electric SUV presents itself as an accomplished EV, aimed at people who would love to get behind the wheel. However, should you get one? Let’s find out.
Exterior of the All-New BYD Sealion 7
The all-new Sealion 7 has been styled using BYD’s ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design philosophy. One of the outcomes of this design is a modern-looking silhouette with a svelte coupe-like roofline and muscular fenders. The side profile is highlighted by 20-inch ‘Wave Swing’ wheels featuring red brake callipers, plus the obligatory pop-out door handles.
The sleek face of the Sealion 7 features sharply-styled ‘Starlit Ocean’ LED headlights with distinctively-shaped DRLs that underscore the headlights. Moreover, the sculpted front bumper projects sportiness, mainly thanks to the deep-set air intakes. There are two spoilers at the back – the primary one is located at the roof’s trailing edge. The secondary (and smaller) unit is located above the taillights.
The connected LED taillights of the Sealion 7 uses BYD’s ‘Ocean Horizon’ theme, resulting in a seamless and stylish look. There’s a large “BYD” badge on the tailgate plus a suitably sporty rear bumper. It’s available in Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, Cosmos Black, and Shark Gray colours. Frankly, the BYD Sealion 7’s design resembles a crossover rather than an SUV.
This comes down to its height of just 1,620 mm, preventing it from looking outright imposing. The BYD Sealion 7 has a wheelbase of 2,930 mm, but it also measures 4,830 mm in length. This means it has large overhangs both front and back. Basically, the benefit of such overhangs is a boot space of 500 litres plus a 58-litre frunk.
Interior of the All-New BYD Sealion 7 EV
With a total width of over 1.9 metres, the cabin of the BYD Sealion 7 feels wide and spacious. The sporty front seats have integrated headrests, exaggerated bolsters, and soft Nappa leather cladding with perforations and stitching. The D-shaped steering wheel features leather and metallic trim, with mirror-finish piano black and satin metallic accents on the doors and dashboard.
You’ll appreciate the attention to detail that went into sourcing some high-quality materials found in this interior. Many of the touchpoints and switchgear in the Sealion 7 feel good to use yet well-made. The thoughtful design involves extendable seat bases, soft padding for your elbows, felt-lined storage cubbies, rear privacy windows, etc. Moreover, the large panoramic glass roof ensures this interior remains well-lit.
There are multiple storage areas & USB charging ports, plus rear coat hooks, a central armrest w/ cupholders, and ISOFIX anchor points. While rear headroom and legroom are good, tall folks might find the under-thigh support underwhelming. The integrated front headrests will also hinder the forward view for rear-seat occupants.
Similarly, the small rear window and chunky rear headrests result in pretty limited rearward visibility for the driver. Getting out is a cool affair though, courtesy of the flip-up door levers. Then there’s the 12-speaker Dynaudio premium audio system, plus a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. The mostly-black cabin would have felt hemmed-in, sans the multi-colour ambient lighting.
Enhancing usability further is a 50-watt wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. The front seats get multi-way power adjustments, while the 15.6-inch touchscreen can be viewed in both portrait and landscape modes. The BYD Sealion 7 comes with an NFC card key, sequential turn indicators, and a hands-free tailgate.
Powertrain and Performance of the All-New BYD Sealion 7 Ev
All variants of the BYD Sealion 7 feature the brand’s popular “Blade Battery” technology. The battery pack itself is an 82.56-kWh LFP unit, powering at least one electric motor. The BYD Sealion 7 RWD (rear-wheel-drive) produces 308 hp (230 kW) and 380 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, it has a combined NEDC-claimed range of 567 km.
Despite being the base avatar of the Sealion 7 EV, the acceleration from 0-100 kmph takes only 6.7 seconds. The sportiest BYD Sealion 7 is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor and a forward-mounted asynchronous motor. This not only enables AWD traction but also a combined maximum output of 523 hp (390 kW) and 690 Nm of torque.
The BYD Sealion 7 AWD can sprint from 0-100 kmph in a mere 4.5 seconds. Given its 2.3-tonne mass, that’s quite respectable. Its claimed NEDC range is 542 km. In real-world conditions, the expected maximum range of the all-new BYD Sealion 7 should be around 370-400 km. The Sealion 7 offers 11 kWh AC and 150 kWh DC fast-charging capabilities.
Safety Features of the All-New BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 is fitted with 360-degree cameras, 11 airbags, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, plus hill-hold control. There’s forward-collision warning, auto-emergency braking, front & rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning w/ lane-departure prevention, blind-spot detection, and high-beam assist.
Price of the All-New BYD Sealion 7
There are two variants of the new Sealion 7 in India: Premium and Performance. The base Premium variant of the BYD Sealion 7 costs ₹48.90 lakhs. Upgrading to the top-spec Performance variant means spending at least ₹54.90 lakhs – both these indicate ex-showroom prices.
Verdict
The all-new BYD Sealion 7 drives well for a heavy EV, while boasting a good-quality interior with a hoard of modern features. It looks stylish and expensive (which it is), but also offers impressive range and exciting performance. If you’re willing to spend upwards of 60 lakhs (on-road) for a well-designed electric crossover, you ought to test-drive the BYD Sealion 7.
FAQs
How much is the BYD Sealion 7?
The BYD Sealion 7 costs from ₹48.90 lakhs to ₹54.90 lakhs in India.
What is the range of the BYD Sealion 7?
The BYD Sealion 7 has a range of between 542-567 km (NEDC).
What is the BYD Sealion 7’s power?
The BYD Sealion 7 has a maximum power output of 523 hp (390 kW) and 690 Nm.
