BYD SEALION 7 Review
BYD's boldest EV yet — crafted for drivers who want style, smarts, and sophistication
Editor : Mark K | Cars&TechSG
Unveiling the Ride
The BYD Sealion 7 steps in as the larger, more muscular sibling of the BYD Seal, and it's clearly been designed to turn heads. It carries over the sleek, aerodynamic DNA of its smaller counterpart but scales it up into a more imposing SUV form. Up front, the sharp, aggressive fascia gives the impression that it's ready to pounce — a stance that injects a sense of motion even when it's standing still.
A coupe-like silhouette adds to the sporty vibe, lending it a dynamic fastback shape that contrasts nicely with the car's robust SUV proportions. The wide, planted stance and large turbine-style wheels add to its visual impact, making it look as if it's hugging the ground, ready to launch forward. Around the back, a full-width LED light bar spans the rear, connecting sleek tail lamps and accentuating the sculpted tailgate.
Interior Impressions:
Step inside and sink into the seats — the moment I sat down, I knew these were something special. The electronically adjustable, premium quilted Nappa leather seats are among the best I've experienced in this class. They're superbly comfortable with excellent bolstering, even on the headrest. BYD, you've truly nailed it with your seat craftsmanship.
Rear legroom is impressive too. Three adults can easily sit across the back without feeling cramped, making it a practical and spacious cabin for passengers. Thoughtful conveniences like two well-placed cup holders and a crystal-like gear selector knob add a touch of elegance to the interior. Another highlight? The 50W wireless charging pad — it's not just fast, but also comes with a ventilation function to keep your phone cool while charging. Smart move.
The tech game is strong here as well. A large 15.6-inch intelligent rotating touchscreen takes center stage — it's highly intuitive and makes accessing car functions a breeze. Complementing that is a crisp 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that truly deserves a thumbs-up. While some EVs skimp on this, the Sealion 7 delivers a vibrant and informative display that enhances the driving experience.
And yes, the cabin is brought to life with ambient lighting, complete with a rhythm function. These days, ambient lighting is expected in most modern EVs, but the Sealion 7 makes it feel just that bit more immersive.
You get a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) onboard the BYD Sealion 7. Features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a 360-degree camera all come as standard. Whether you're cruising on the highway or navigating tight carpark ramps in the CBD, the Sealion 7's safety tech has your back.
And if you're stuck in a jam? Fire up the Caraoke function with the optional BYD microphones and turn traffic boredom into an impromptu singalong session. It's a fun little feature that adds some personality to the in-car experience.
Practicality-wise, the Sealion 7 delivers. The boot space is generous enough for daily errands, groceries, or weekend luggage. It'll even handle a stroller with room to spare. Need more flexibility? The rear seats fold flat to free up additional space, making it easy to load bulkier items. Clearly, this is an SUV built with everyday usability in mind—without compromising on style or tech.
On Road Performance:
We were fortunate—and thrilled—to get behind the wheel of the BYD Sealion 7 AWD, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This is the more powerful of the two variants, and yes—it absolutely delivers. With 390 kW and a dual-motor setup, the Sealion 7 AWD rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Acceleration is strong and linear, with the kind of instant torque you'd expect from an EV, but it's never abrupt or overwhelming. The throttle is well-calibrated too—smooth enough for daily commutes, yet responsive when you need that extra surge, whether you're darting through city traffic or overtaking confidently on the expressway.
Steering is nicely weighted—firm enough for easy manoeuvres in tight spaces, but with enough heft at higher speeds to feel secure. That said, with performance figures like these, a bit more sturdiness in the handling would be welcome. The current setup is comfortable and competent, but a firmer suspension would really do justice to the car's performance and inspire more confidence in faster, twistier roads.
Ride quality remains one of the Sealion 7's strong suits. It handles bumps and uneven road surfaces with ease, offering a composed experience without feeling floaty. The low centre of gravity, thanks to the floor-mounted Blade Battery, helps it feel stable even when pushed a little harder through corners.
What really impressed me, though, is the overall cabin refinement. Even at expressway speeds, NVH levels are impressively low—wind and tyre noise are well controlled, contributing to a calm, premium drive experience. The adjustable regenerative braking is another plus, giving drivers the ability to fine-tune deceleration to their liking. While it's not full one-pedal driving, the level of control offered here will definitely be appreciated by those who want a more customisable feel.
One small drawback worth mentioning: rear visibility could be better. The sloping rear glass and smaller rear window limit the view out the back slightly, so you'll want to rely more on the excellent 360-degree camera system when reversing or checking your surroundings.
The Bottom Line:
Overall, the BYD Sealion 7 makes a strong case for itself as a family-friendly electric SUV that stands out from the crowd. With sleek styling, a well-appointed cabin, and solid performance—especially in the AWD variant—it's more than capable of holding its own against more established rivals.
That said, the Performance AWD variant will make a dent in your wallet when it comes to road tax, so keep that in mind. If that's a concern, the Premium (RWD) variant still offers plenty of value, lower running costs, and all the must-have tech—making it well worth a look.
If you're hunting for your next EV, the Sealion 7 definitely deserves a proper test drive. It might just surprise you—in all the right ways.
Car Specifications
Battery Capacity : 82.5 kWH
Charging Time : 10–80% in 24 minutes (DC 150 kW Charging)
Power : 523 BHP (Performance) / 308 BHP (Premium)
Torque : 690 Nm (Performance) / 380 Nm (Premium)
Century Sprint : 4.5 secs (Performance) / 6.7s (Premium)
Range : Up to 460KM (Performance) / 480KM (Premium)
Boot Capacity : 520L
Road Tax : $5588 Annually (Performance) / $2264 (Premium)
Official Website : BYD Singapore
Check out more images of the ride at our Instagram Page!