New BYD Sealion 7 – Inspired By The Ocean.
New BYD Sealion 7 – Inspired By The Ocean.
Since launching their Atto 3 SUV in 2023 in Ireland, BYD (Build Your Dreams) has become the world’s biggest electric car maker. Although they are relative newcomers in Europe, they have been battery leaders for quite some time. BYD use the patented lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade batteries in their car’s E-platform 3.0 which are notorious for their safety. The Sealion 7 is the SUV version of the Seal saloon and is linked to the “Ocean Series’ already available and must not be confused with the Seal U, which is BYD’s hybrid SUV. To distinguish different BYD models going forward, all SUVs will be called Sealion, while their saloon’s will be called Seal and hatchbacks will be known as Dolphin. Each will have a number to indicate its positioning in the range.
Fully-Electric SUV-Coupé.
The Sealion 7 is a mid-sized SUV with coupe-styling and is in direct competition to the new Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID5, Kia EV6, Cupra Tavascan and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Sealion 7 was designed by BYD’s Global Design Director, Wolfgang Egger, and it seamlessly blends ocean-inspired aesthetics with cutting-edge innovation. Its sleek, flowing lines and aerodynamic profile give the Sealion 7 a sporty, futuristic look. The extended wheelbase not only enhances the vehicle’s dynamic presence but also provides a spacious and comfortable interior that blends style with practicality.
Distinctive “Ocean X” Design.
The front of the Sealion 7 features a distinctive “Ocean X” design language that features a powerful X-structure , giving the vehicle a commanding presence. The low slung bonnet, sweeping fastback design and dual waistline mimic the energy of ocean waves, creating a silhouette that exudes both elegance and performance. The Sealion 7’s futuristic tail lamps combine sleek linear light strips with water-drop-shaped dots, creating a sense of movement and energy. A subtle roof spoiler aids aerodynamics, while the diffuser-style bumper adds a sporty touch. Flush-fitting door handles that retract into the bodywork when locked add to the stylish look.
Spacious, Plush Cabin.
The BYD Sealion 7 offers a premium, tech-heavy interior with a minimalist design, and a strong emphasis on digital displays. At the centre of the dashboard is a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen (a signature BYD feature) which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system is responsive, intuitive and well-integrated, and the screen ensures you are always connected and in control. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster provides key driving data, while a head-up display projects navigation and speed information onto the windscreen. The front seats are power-adjustable and heated as standard and are finished in high quality synthetic leather upholstery. Practicality within the spacious cabin is impressive, with a deep centre console, large door bins and a generous storage area under the centre armrest. A 50w wireless charging pad with active cooling prevents overheating, with USB-C and USB-A ports conveniently placed for both front and rear passengers. The crystal-style gear selector and touch-sensitive buttons for drive modes add to the futuristic look and feel, while the standard-fit Dynaudio sound system offers a premium sound experience. Leg, head and elbow room is generous in the front and rear of the car, and all seats are well-cushioned and supportive. The flat floor design improves foot space, making it easier for three passengers to sit side-by-side in the rear. With 520 litres of boot space available with all seats in use, and up to 1,789 litres available when the split-folding rear seats are folded down, there is plenty of space available to cater for the needs of a growing family. A front storage compartment (frunk) adds an extra 58 litres, providing a convenient space for the charging cables, and other small items.
Three Trims Available.
There are three trims available in the Sealion 7; Comfort, Design and Excellence. The entry-level Comfort version uses a standard-range 82.5kWh lithium-ion ‘Blade’ battery and a single electric motor which produces 313hp and 380Nm of instant torque. This powerplant drives the rear wheels and the car can officially sprint from 0-100km in 6.7 seconds, with a claimed WLTP range of 482km. The Design model uses the same battery, but gains a second motor that provides all-wheel drive practicality. This set-up comes with a WLTP range of up to 456km and increases the power output and torque figures to 530hp and 690Nm respectively, with the time it takes to sprint to 100km/h reduced to just 4.5 seconds. The range-topping, all-wheel drive Excellence model use a long-range 91.3kWh ‘Blade’ battery that has a WLTP range of up to 502km, with identical power and torque figures as the Design model. Comfort and Design models have a fast charge capacity of up to 150kW, with the Excellence model increasing this to 230kW. Comfort and Design models can receive a 10-80% charge in as little as 32 minutes, with the Excellent model needing just 24 minutes to complete the same task. Alternatively, the battery can be charged via a domestic wall-box charger with a capacity of up to 11kW in around 8.5 hours for the 82.5kWh battery, or around 9.5 hours for the larger battery.
Test Car Details.
My BYD Sealion 7 Comfort test car was finished in Space Black metallic paintwork with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and black vegan leather upholstery. An impressive array of safety, infotainment, comfort and convenience features come as standard. Key equipment includes electric pop-out door handles, electric tailgate, panoramic roof, LED headlights with high-beam assist, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear light cluster, full glass thermal insulation & UV protection, wireless charging, heated & ventilated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, electrically-adjustable front seats, auto air-conditioning, front & rear parking sensors, multiple airbags, and blind spot detection, along with a host of additional driving assistance systems. Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connectivity is also standard, as is a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, DAB radio and BYD voice control assistant – “Hi BYD”, and access to the MY BYD Cloud Connected App for a direct link between the car and the outside world. The majority of the dashboard and door mouldings are covered in soft-touch materials, and the overall cabin design is well executed. The Sealion 7’s battery pack is an integral part of the car’s structure, thereby improving torsional rigidity. A selection of 4 drive modes (Sport, Comfort, Eco and Snow) allow the driver to customise every journey to suit their driving style or road conditions and, thanks to the brake regeneration function, the Sealion 7 can largely be driven with a single pedal, if required. The car delivers a well-rounded, mature driving experience that blends strong performance with a comfortable ride quality that benefits everyone onboard. The rear-wheel drive layout in the Comfort model provides a balanced, natural feel that has just the right amount of power for confident overtaking and effortless motorway merging. The Sealion 7 is impressively quiet and refined at motorway speeds, with minimal wind and road noise, thanks to the use of enhanced insulation and an aerodynamically efficient design. The Selion 7 comes equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality. Whether you are camping, relaxing, or just need an emergency power source, the Sealion 7 can supply energy to your devices and appliances, thereby transforming your vehicle into a reliable power station wherever you go.
Verdict, Pricing & Warranty.
The new BYD Sealion 7 is a compelling fully-electric family SUV-Coupé that rewards occupants with excellent levels of comfort, latest-generation tech, and impressive cabin & boot space. Drivers will also appreciate the Sealion 7’s sharp driving dynamics, compliant steering, strong brake feel, terrific straight-line performance, serene driving experience, and rapid charging ability, along with its solid reliability and standout value for money. Pricing starts from €45,435 (as tested), rising to €56,490 for the range-topping Excellence version (inclusive of current SEAL Grant and VRT Relief for private buyers). A comprehensive 6-year/150,000km warranty comes as standard, as does an 8-year/200,000km EV battery warranty.
Visit www.byd.ie for further information.
