BYD Sealion 7 first Drive review: Furious performance meets familial comfort
BYD Sealion 7 is quicker than a BMW iX 50, but costs lesser than half it. But is it comfortable enough to appeal to families?;
It’s hard to argue against the fact that no brand has done more to push the cause of electric vehicles than BYD. Their latest launch in India, the Sealion 7, is perhaps their most significant yet. Why? Because it’s a full-sized family SUV, it’s powerful, and, of course, it’s fully electric—a segment that is poised to define luxury SUVs in the near future. But does the Sealion 7 deliver on all fronts? Let’s find out.
BYD Sealion 7 exterior design
The first thing that catches the eye is the design, and BYD has nailed it. The Sealion 7 follows BYD’s ‘Ocean Series’ design language, sharing visual cues with the BYD Seal. That said, while the name might evoke images of water bodies and aquatic creatures, the styling feels more like a well-thought-out studio creation rather than a marine-inspired design.
What stands out is the way the Sealion 7 strikes a balance—it appeals to the younger generation with its sleek and modern aesthetics while still being tasteful enough to resonate with older buyers. The BYD Design badge on the fender further reinforces the impression that this car was crafted by people who truly know their craft. Adding to its coupe-SUV character is a black spoiler lip at the rear, giving it a sporty and aggressive stance. Also, it rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.
BYD Sealion 7 interiors and features
Step inside, and the premium experience continues. Most of the dashboard is draped in soft-touch materials, with only a few hard plastic bits tucked away behind the steering wheel and towards the door pockets. The centrepiece is the 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen, which can switch between portrait and landscape orientations. Kudos to BYD for retaining physical buttons for essential functions like climate control, regenerative braking, and drive modes—a rarity in today’s touchscreen-dominated cabins. That said, the in-screen controls can feel overwhelming, almost like operating the Starship Enterprise. But if tech is your thing, you’ll feel right at home.
BYD has built its reputation on cutting-edge technology, and the Sealion 7 is no exception. The infotainment system controls everything—climate settings, seat ventilation, ADAS, ambient lighting, the head-up display, and even the 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, which sounds fantastic. One quirk to note is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only function in landscape mode since BYD’s system does not support them in portrait orientation.
A couple of clever features caught my attention more than the others. First is the wireless phone charger, which has a small cooling vent, preventing your phone from overheating while charging—an issue with all wireless chargers. And seconds is the fatigue monitoring system, which is genuinely effective. While testing the car, I often found myself fiddling with settings while driving, only for the system to remind me to keep my eyes on the road. Curious, I tried outsmarting it by wearing sunglasses, but the system was relentless, continuing to warn me. Clearly, it monitors more than just eye movements, factoring in head positioning and other parameters—impressive.
BYD Sealion 7 performance and dynamics
Now, for the most exciting part—how does it drive? BYD proudly calls the Sealion 7 an e-performance SUV, and the numbers certainly support that claim. The 82.5kWh battery gives a claimed range of 542km. 0-100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds with 523bhp and 690Nm of torque. The all-wheel drive version comes with dual motors which spin at 23,000rpm, which is the highest I have heard of. The purpose of a higher RPM is to be able to generate higher speed. The top speed of this SUV is 215kmph. These figures put it in the same league as a BMW M4—except this is a family SUV! There is a single motor variant with RWD too.
However, the performance leaves you with a peculiar sensation. Launching the car in Sport mode with ESP off pins you to the seat with astonishing force, but something feels… missing. There’s no sound, no aural drama, and that dampens the emotional thrill of acceleration. It’s brutally fast, but the lack of a sensory experience makes it feel almost clinical.
On the handling front, European manufacturers still have the edge. While the Sealion 7 is quick in a straight line, body roll is noticeable, and steering feedback is somewhat muted. It’s certainly not bad, but compared to European benchmarks and lately even the Koreans, there’s still some way to go in terms of driver engagement.
BYD Sealion 7 ride and comfort
What does feel special, though, is the ride quality—especially at mid to high speeds. It effortlessly glides over undulations and absorbs potholes well. At low speeds, however, things aren’t as smooth. The cabin tends to jiggle over rough patches, and at times, it even felt like the car wanted to toss me around. Fortunately, the well-bolstered seats keep you firmly in place.
As a family centred SUV, space is an important factor for its success. Rear legroom is generous—even the tallest passengers won’t have issues. Headroom, however, is a problem. If you’re over 5’11”, the sloping roofline will feel restrictive. This sloping roofline brings another challenge. The rear visibility is poor, thanks to the coupe-SUV design. The rear windshield covers less than half of the area in the interior rear-view mirror, and the thick C-pillars further reduce visibility. On the plus side, the seats are comfortable for long journeys, and the boot space is ample—520 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,720 litres with the rear seats folded down.
BYD Sealion 7 competition and verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 is a fast, stylish, and tech-packed SUV that will tick most boxes for its target audience. It squares off against the likes of the BMW iX1 L, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and EQB. In this company, the Sealion 7 leads in power, range, and features—making it a formidable choice.
At ₹54.9 lakh (Performance variant), it presents a compelling proposition for buyers seeking a high-performance electric SUV. The Premium variant, with slightly lesser power output and a single motor, RWD setup is priced at ₹48.9 lakh. For those still sceptical about Chinese cars, experiencing the Sealion 7 might just change their perspective—because BYD isn’t just part of the EV revolution, it’s leading it.