This bigger brother to the BYD Atto 3 is the Chinese automaker’s rather compelling answer to the Tesla Model Y.
Following up from the launch of its Seal earlier this year and its M6 just last month, BYD rounds off 2024 with its third and final local launch, which comes in the form of its Sealion 7. Dubbed by the Chinese automakers as its ‘ocean-inspired masterpiece’, this bigger brother to the Atto 3 is likely setting its sights to steal buyers away from both the likes of Tesla’s Model Y and Honda’s CR-V.
Now starting with the headline details first for this e-SUV, the Sealion 7 is to land locally in two variants: Premium and Performance. The former is currently priced at RM 183,800, while the latter is available at RM 199,800.
In terms of tech specs meanwhile, the table below pretty much tells one all there is worth knowing. And yes, both the performance and range figures for this Sealion 7 are impressive to say the least.
| Specifications | Premium | Performance |
| Drivetrain | Single Motor, Rear Drive | Dual Motor, All-Wheel Drive |
| Maximum Power | 230 kW | 390 kW |
| Maximum Torque | 380 Nm | 690 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| Battery Type | BYD Blade Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) | |
| Battery Capacity | 82.5 kWh | |
| Electric Range (NEDC) | 567 km | 542 km |
| Peak DC Charging Power | 150 kW (10-80% in 32 minutes) | |
| Peak AC Charging Power | 11 kW | |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | 2,635 kg | 2,750 kg |
Just discussing a bit more regarding what lies under the skin of this Sealion 7 here too, this e-SUV features a double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension setup, with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) shock absorbers on all four corners. The Performance variant can be visually distinguished from its Premium counterpart by it being the only trim with red-painted front brake calipers peeking out from behind its larger 20-inch alloys (Premium comes with a staggered set of 19-inch rolling stock).
Dimension-wise, the BYD Sealion 7 measures 4,830 mm long, 1,925 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,930 mm. Here is how it stacks up against both the Tesla Model Y and Honda CR-V:
| Dimensions | BYD Sealion 7 | Tesla Model Y | Honda CR-V |
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,751 mm | 4,691 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,921 mm | 1,866 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,624 mm | 1,681 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,890 mm | 2,701 mm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Trunk Capacity | 58 litres | 117 litres | – |
| Rear Trunk Capacity | 500 litres | 709 litres | 589 litres |
In terms of design, the Sealion 7’s sleek profile and overall shape is actually rather reminiscent of the smart #3, but with the BYD corporate face up front. Among its exterior highlights bar the aforementioned wheels is for this e-SUV to feature automatically-retractable door handles down the side, a panoramic glass roof up top, in addition to a large diffuser and twin spoilers round its rump (a large wing that extends from its roof and a smaller black lip spoiler on its boot).
Finally moving on within, the Sealion 7 is naturally to be loaded up to the gills with all sorts of standard kit. More importantly here however is to note that there really is to be no difference in kit (bar heated and ventilated rear seats in the Performance) between the two trims, meaning those who opt for the Performance over the Premium are just getting additional amounts of its variant namesake.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of all the available equipment within the BYD Sealion 7:
- 15.6-inch rotatable central infotainment display
- 10.25-inch digital driver’s display
- 50-inch augmented reality heads-up display
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar adjustment, memory, heating and ventilation
- 6-way power adjustable front passenger’s seat with heating and ventilation
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated rear seats (Performance trim only)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system
- RGB dynamic interior mood lighting with rhythm function
- Automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror
- 50 W wireless phone charging pad
- 4 USB ports (1 USB-C and 1 USB-A for front and rear respectively)
- NFC card key
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- PM 2.5 air purification system
Safety and driver assistance kit found on the Sealion 7 includes a whopping nine airbags, parking sensors both front and rear, a 360º surround view camera, in addition to all the usual active driver aids like adaptive cruise control, AEB, lane departure warning and prevention, lane keeping assist, front/rear cross-traffic alert and high beam assist. Both variants of this BYD e-SUV also nets the automaker’s Intelligence Torque Adaptation Control (ITAC) torque vectoring system, as well as V2L functionality up to 3.3 kW.
4 colour ways are currently available with the BYD Sealion 7 locally: Cosmos Black, Aurora White, Atlantis Grey, and Shark Grey. Those who put their name down for one of these e-SUVs Sealion 7 by November 17 (and register their vehicle by December 31) will be entitled to a complimentary home charger and RM 800 in charging credits with their purchase.
