BYD SEALION 7 Review
BYD Sealion 7 Review
The larger, more muscular sibling of the BYD Seal — built to turn heads. Photo: 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 the 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.
A coupe-like, fastback silhouette over genuinely robust SUV proportions. Photo: Cars&TechSG
Interior Impressions
Step inside and sink into the seats — the moment we sat down, it was clear these were something special. The electronically adjustable, quilted Nappa leather seats are among the best we've experienced in this class — superbly comfortable, with excellent bolstering even on the headrest. BYD has genuinely nailed the seat craftsmanship here.
Rear legroom is impressive too — three adults can sit across the back without feeling cramped. Thoughtful touches like two well-placed cup holders and a crystal-like gear selector knob add a touch of elegance, while the 50W wireless charging pad comes with active ventilation to keep your phone cool while it charges.
Quilted Nappa leather, a crystal gear selector, and genuinely premium-feeling cabin materials throughout. Photo: Cars&TechSG
The tech is strong too. A 15.6-inch intelligent rotating touchscreen takes centre stage — intuitive and easy to navigate — complemented by a crisp 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that delivers a vibrant, informative display. Ambient lighting with a rhythm function rounds out a cabin that feels more immersive than most EVs at this price point.
Practicality
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. This is an SUV built with everyday usability in mind, without compromising on style or tech.
520L of boot space, expanding further with the rear seats folded flat. Photo: Cars&TechSG
On-Road Performance
We were fortunate enough to get behind the wheel of the Sealion 7 AWD — the more powerful of the two variants — and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. With 523bhp from a dual-motor setup, it rockets from 0–100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Acceleration is strong and linear, with the instant torque you'd expect from an EV, but it's never abrupt or overwhelming. The throttle is well-calibrated — smooth enough for daily commutes, yet responsive when you need that extra surge for overtaking on the expressway.
Steering is nicely weighted — firm enough for easy manoeuvres in tight spaces, with enough heft at higher speeds to feel secure. That said, with performance figures like these, a slightly firmer suspension would do more justice to the car's capability and inspire greater confidence on faster, twistier roads. Ride quality remains one of the Sealion 7's strong suits regardless — it handles bumps and uneven surfaces with ease, offering a composed experience without feeling floaty, helped by the low centre of gravity from the floor-mounted Blade Battery.
Strong, linear acceleration and a genuinely composed ride — even pushed harder through corners. Photo: Cars&TechSG
What really impressed us 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, letting drivers fine-tune deceleration to their liking, though it stops short of full one-pedal driving.
Verdict
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.
The Performance AWD variant's road tax is a genuine consideration before committing. If that's a concern, the Premium RWD variant still offers plenty of value, lower running costs, and all the must-have tech. Either way, the Sealion 7 deserves a proper test drive — it might just surprise you, in all the right ways.
📋 Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 82.5 kWh |
| DC Fast Charging | 10–80% in 24 minutes (150kW) |
| Power | 523 bhp (Performance) · 308 bhp (Premium) |
| Torque | 690 Nm (Performance) · 380 Nm (Premium) |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.5s (Performance) · 6.7s (Premium) |
| WLTP Range | 460 km (Performance) · 480 km (Premium) |
| Boot Capacity | 520 L, rear seats fold flat |
| Annual Road Tax | S$5,588 (Performance) · S$2,264 (Premium) |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, with active ventilation cooling |
| Infotainment | 15.6" rotating touchscreen · 10.25" digital cluster |
