Review: BYD Sealion 7
What is it?
BYD is one of the fastest-growing car makers in the UK, with it releasing seven new models in two years.
With a never-ending list of Chinese car manufacturers arriving on our shores, BYD has become one of the most trusted names in a world of unknown brands.
The Sealion 7 is one of the firm’s latest entries into the large electric SUV market, taking on the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5, so can this Chinese offering take it to the top of the class? Let’s find out.
What’s new?
The Sealion 7 sits on BYD’s Platform 3.0 and is the firm’s largest car currently sold.
It boasts ‘Blade Battery’ technology, which is lighter, more efficient and uses no precious metals such as cobalt, compared to other battery systems.
The car continues the Chinese firm’s sea animal naming strategy and uses similar design cues found on the smaller Dolphin, Seal and Seal U models.
Also, with flush door handles and a sloping rear roofline, it’s all designed to help improve the car’s efficiency.
What’s under the bonnet?
There is a choice of three powertrains with the Sealion 7, but we’re driving the flagship ‘Excellence’ model, which uses a larger 91.3kWh battery and dual electric motors to give a claimed range of up to 312 miles, and the car benefits from all-wheel drive.
In terms of performance, the car is relatively punchy with 0-60mph taking 4.3 seconds and the car runs out of puff at 134mph.
Also, the car in Excellence trim is compatible with 230kW DC rapid charging, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up to take 24 minutes. Plus, an energy-efficient heat pump comes as standard, which should help with the vehicle’s driving range in the colder months.
What’s it like to drive?
This BYD is a comfortable and easy car to drive for daily commutes. All the controls are nice and light and its performance is relatively impressive for a vehicle of this size.
It’s a very easy car to pilot and, once you’re cruising along, is largely quiet and refined.
How does it look?
The Sealion 7’s design continues on from BYD’s range of cars with its smooth and rounded-off stance. The looks aren’t the most dynamic, but it’s not an ugly car, either.
Its sloping roofline, flush door handles and extended wheel arches give the car a more streamlined look and the floating rear spoiler does improve the exterior’s rather anonymous proportions.
What’s it like inside?
BYD has a habit of integrating all the car’s functions into the touchscreen, and although the Sealion 7 does incorporate this, it’s not as bad as some other cars in this segment.
You still get a few physical shortcut buttons on the centre console and all of the cabin materials feel plush and of high quality.
But, at least rear-seat space is great, and the flat floor makes the middle-seat passenger able to get comfortable too. Open the boot and you’re greeted to 520 litres of space, however the room provided is quite shallow, making it trickier to load taller items in. Open the bonnet, and there is an additional 58-litre ‘frunk’, which is handy for stowing the charging cables away for the car.
What’s the spec like?
BYD always offers plenty of standard equipment with its cars and the Sealion 7 is no exception.
All cars come with a rotatable 15.6-inch touchscreen display, and although a majority of the car’s main functions are buried within it, you do get a shortcut menu located at the bottom of the screen, which makes things easier to operate.
However, having more physical buttons would help the car’s ergonomics, but the system is still easier to use than a lot of the Sealion 7’s Chinese counterparts, at the very least.
Other standard equipment includes a wireless smartphone charger and several driver safety assist features.
Prices start at £47,000 for the entry-level Comfort, rising to £59,000 for the flagship Excellence model, like our test car.
Verdict
There’s a lot to like about the Sealion 7. It offers loads of interior space, is well-equipped and should be easy to live with.
Even better news is that it’s available to check out today on UK CarLine.
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