In the Indian automotive market, brand recall continues to play a significant role in influencing purchase decisions, especially in the premium electric vehicle space. This is precisely where the BYD Sealion 7 presents itself as a rather interesting proposition. While it may not carry the legacy or badge value traditionally associated with established European luxury manufacturers, what it delivers in terms of overall product experience is genuinely impressive
In this review, we take a closer look at how the BYD Sealion 7 performs across key aspects including its design, interior execution, ride and handling characteristics, and battery performance in real world conditions.
BYD Sealion 7 – Exterior Design
From a design standpoint, the BYD Sealion 7 adheres to BYD’s established Ocean Series design language, characterised by clean lines and a coupe silhouette. The overall stance of the vehicle appears modern and sophisticated without appearing excessively aggressive or overstated.
The BYD Sealion 7 measures 4830 mm in length, 1925 mm in width, and 1620 mm in height, along with a wheelbase of 2930 mm, which is certainly appreciated when evaluating cabin space and overall proportions. The variant tested was the Premium trim, which is equipped with 19 inch alloy wheels. Buyers can also opt for the Performance variant, which features larger 20 inch alloy wheels that further enhance the vehicle’s stance. The front fascia is defined by sleek LED headlamps complemented by signature daytime running lights that lend the SUV a contemporary appearance.
Along the side profile, the flush fitting door handles contribute to the aerodynamic design of the vehicle, although from a usability perspective, they may not appeal to all users. Towards the rear, the connected LED tail lamp setup along with the subtle integrated spoiler completes the overall look.
In its entirety, the exterior design of the BYD Sealion 7 manages to appear modern and premium while retaining a certain sense of subtlety. At the same time, it maintains a distinctive identity that allows it to stand apart on the road without appearing overly dramatic.
BYD Sealion 7 – Interior Design and Features
The moment you step in, the cabin genuinely gives you a very premium feel, and you do get the sense that you are sitting in something that feels like it belongs to a higher segment, closer to what you would expect from a ₹50 lakh vehicle, and not something you would typically associate with a non luxury badge. And that, in itself, works strongly in the Sealion 7’s favour.
The black on black interior theme, complemented by black leather upholstery and the use of soft touch materials across the dashboard and door pads, contributes positively to the overall in cabin experience. The consistency in fit and finish further reinforces the sense of quality expected from a vehicle in this segment.
At the centre of the interior layout is the large 15.6 inch infotainment touchscreen, which continues to be a signature feature across BYD’s global lineup. As seen on other models from BYD, this unit comes with the ability to rotate between landscape and portrait orientations. While the rotating function adds a sense of novelty, its practicality in day to day usage may be perceived as somewhat unnecessary by certain users.
The infotainment system integrates the majority of vehicle functions, including the HVAC controls. This results in the absence of physical switches for essential climate control adjustments. Notably, adjusting blower temperature requires a three finger swipe gesture across the touchscreen, which can prove to be distracting, particularly while driving. For a function that is frequently accessed, this method of operation may not be the most intuitive in real world conditions.
In terms of comfort and convenience features, the BYD Sealion 7 is equipped with a 12 speaker Dynaudio sound system, powered and ventilated front seats, automatic headlamps and wipers, and a gesture controlled powered tailgate. The vehicle also features dual zone climate control along with dynamic ambient lighting that enhances the overall cabin experience. The Sealion has a large 520 litre boot, which easily fits 2 large size suitcases, the SUV also comes with 58 litre frunk suited for small bags or backpacks.
Additionally, the fixed panoramic sunroof contributes to a greater sense of space and airiness within the cabin, particularly for rear seat occupants. The BYD Sealion 7 also offers a ventilated wireless phone charger, which adds to everyday practicality.
BYD Sealion 7 – Interior Comfort
The front seats in the BYD Sealion 7 are extremely comfortable and offer a good balance of bolstering and cushioning. Thanks to the multiple electronic adjustment settings on offer, it does not take long to find an ideal driving position. For someone around six feet tall, there is no noticeable compromise in terms of headroom or knee room in the front row. The driving position itself feels well suited for both city commutes and longer highway journeys, and overall comfort levels are appreciably better than several similarly priced electric vehicles currently available in the market.
Moving to the rear, this is where the Sealion 7 manages to stand out. Given its coupe inspired roofline, one would typically expect a compromise in rear seat headroom. However, even for an occupant measuring six feet in height, there is adequate headroom on offer. While it may not match what you would experience in a conventional upright SUV, it is certainly better than what is generally seen in coupe styled SUVs.
The rear seating position is set slightly lower, which almost gives the impression of sitting in a sedan. Despite this, knee room remains generous, largely due to the 2930 mm wheelbase. Even with the front seat adjusted to a six foot driver’s seating position, rear passengers still benefit from sufficient knee room. Under thigh support is also commendable, supported by well cushioned seats with adequate bolstering.
One notable omission, however, is the absence of individual climate controls for rear passengers. While the vehicle is equipped with dual zone climate control, the addition of a three zone setup could have further enhanced rear seat comfort. That said, the factory fitted privacy tinted glass helps in keeping cabin temperatures in check by limiting heat ingress, which is particularly important in Indian climatic conditions. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, the fixed panoramic sunroof contributes to a greater sense of airiness within the cabin
BYD Sealion 7 – Ride and Handling
Powering the rear wheel drive variant of the BYD Sealion 7 that we tested is an 82.56 kWh battery pack that utilises BYD’s Blade Cell LFP technology. This setup produces a claimed 310 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. For buyers seeking higher performance, there is also a dual motor all wheel drive Performance variant on offer, which delivers a significantly higher output of 530 horsepower and 690 Nm of torque.
From the get go, the rear wheel drive variant does live up to its claimed performance figures. As expected from an electric vehicle, torque delivery is instantaneous the moment you put your foot down. However, what stands out is how well it manages to move despite its size and weight. Weighing close to 2.3 tonnes, the Sealion 7 feels responsive under acceleration and gathers speed with surprising urgency for an SUV of this size.
The suspension setup appears to be tuned towards a slightly firmer side. On Indian roads, particularly when encountering potholes or uneven surfaces, there is a noticeable firmness that translates into a mild thud filtering into the cabin. That said, on smoother tarmac or open highways, this stiffer suspension works to the vehicle’s advantage by lending it a more planted and composed feel at higher speeds.
Steering feedback builds up progressively with speed, which complements the vehicle’s driving dynamics well. While there is a certain degree of body roll present, as expected from an SUV, it is kept reasonably in check by the suspension setup. The vehicle also offers multiple drive modes and in Sport mode in particular, throttle response feels noticeably sharper, enhancing overall responsiveness during spirited driving.
BYD Sealion 7 – Safety and Charging
On the safety front, the BYD Sealion 7 is equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite that includes features such as lane departure warning, driver attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360 degree surround view camera system, among several other active safety technologies. A particularly noteworthy inclusion is the provision of 11 airbags. In a segment where even luxury offerings typically offer seven to eight airbags.
In terms of charging, the vehicle is supplied with a 7 kW wall mounted charger as part of the standard package. The Sealion 7 also supports AC charging of up to 11 kW, which allows for a full charge in approximately seven to eight hours, making it suitable for overnight charging. DC fast charging compatibility is also available for quicker top ups when required. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with Vehicle to Load functionality, allowing it to power external electrical devices when needed.
As for range, the rear wheel drive single motor variant that was tested offers a claimed ARAI certified range of 567 kilometres on a full charge. In real world usage, over the course of two days involving a mix of city commutes, highway runs, and some spirited driving in and around the Nandi Hills region near Bengaluru, the vehicle returned an indicated range of approximately 480 kilometres on a full charge, which is commendable under varied driving condition.
BYD Sealion 7 – Verdict
The rear wheel drive variant of the BYD Sealion 7 is priced at ₹49.4 lakh, going up to ₹54.9 lakh ex showroom for the dual motor all wheel drive Performance variant. This places it in direct competition with the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, which is priced at ₹49.9 lakh, as well as the Volvo EX40, which is priced at ₹50.1 lakh ex showroom.
In comparison, the BYD Sealion 7 presents itself as a product that feels a segment above in several key areas, particularly in terms of performance, perceived interior quality, and the amount of space on offer within the cabin. There are certain elements that may come across as slightly gimmicky, especially with respect to some touchscreen based controls, and the suspension setup does lean towards the firmer side on rougher road surfaces.
However, beyond these aspects, the BYD Sealion 7 is a well put together electric SUV that delivers strongly where it matters most. Its road presence also deserves mention, as it consistently attracts attention and stands out in everyday traffic.
For buyers considering an electric SUV in the ₹50 lakh price bracket, the Sealion 7 makes a compelling case for itself, and would be a strong recommendation even when evaluated against offerings such as the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase and the Volvo EX40