2025 BYD Sealion 7 Performance Review

BYD has made a name for itself in Australia with aggressively priced, feature-packed EVs, and the 2025 BYD Sealion 7 is no exception. The all-electric mid-size SUV arrives to take on key rivals like the Tesla Model Y, XPeng G6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, bringing an enticing mix of power, technology, and affordability.

The Sealion 7 launches in Australia with two variants:‍

• Sealion 7 Premium – Rear-wheel drive with 230kW and 380Nm, priced from $54,990 before on-road costs
• Sealion 7 Performance – Dual-motor AWD producing 390kW and 690Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds, priced from $63,990 before on-road costs

Both variants come with an 82.5kWh Blade Battery, offering up to 482km of range (Premium) and 456km (Performance) on the WLTP cycle. While not class-leading in efficiency, it remains competitive in its segment.

But how does the BYD Sealion 7 perform on Australian roads? We put it through its paces to see whether it can truly challenge the segment leaders or if it’s just another addition to an increasingly crowded space.

Let’s dive in.

How much does the 2025 BYD Sealion 7 cost?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 arrives in Australia with competitive pricing, positioning itself as a strong alternative to established mid-size electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y.

With a starting price of $54,990 before on-road costs, the Sealion 7 Premium sits just above the Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive, which is currently discounted to $53,300 ahead of the Model Y Juniper’s arrival in May. Meanwhile, the Sealion 7 Performance, priced at $63,990, remains more affordable than the upcoming Model Y Juniper RWD Launch Edition, which will be $63,400 but comes with additional features yet to be announced.

2025 BYD Sealion 7 Pricing:

• 2025 BYD Sealion 7 Premium – $54,990
• 2025 BYD Sealion 7 Performance – $63,990

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

What’s the exterior like of the BYD Sealion 7?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 features a sleek and modern design, combining sporty aesthetics with aerodynamic efficiency. Up front, the minimalist look is highlighted by a full-width LED light bar, angular matrix LED headlights, and a smooth, closed-off grille typical of electric vehicles.

A large BYD badge and functional lower air intakes add a purposeful touch. From the side, the Sealion 7 adopts a coupe-SUV silhouette, with a longer body than the Tesla Model Y but a shorter wheelbase.

Standard 19-inch alloys contribute to a dynamic stance, while the Performance model upgrades to 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. Flush pop-out door handles and subtle black cladding enhance the premium feel, while privacy glass and a BYD Design badge complete the side profile.

At the rear, the Sealion 7 sports a full-width LED light bar with sequential indicators and bold BYD lettering. A subtle roof spoiler aids aerodynamics, while the diffuser-style bumper adds a sporty touch.

Overall, the Sealion 7’s design blends futuristic styling with practicality, aiming to stand out in the increasingly crowded EV market.

What’s the interior like of the BYD Sealion 7?

The 2025 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.

The system is responsive and well-integrated, though some translation quirks remain in the infotainment menus. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster provides key driving data, while a head-up display projects navigation and speed information onto the windscreen.

Material quality is impressive, with soft-touch surfaces and synthetic leather upholstery giving the cabin a refined feel. The front seats are power-adjustable and heated, with the Performance model adding heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. While comfort levels are high, under-thigh support is slightly lacking, a common issue in some Chinese EVs.

Practicality is a strong point, with a deep centre console, large door bins, and a generous under-armrest storage area. A 50W wireless charging pad with active cooling prevents overheating, while USB-C and USB-A ports are conveniently placed for front and rear passengers.

The crystal-style gear selector and touch-sensitive buttons for drive modes and regenerative braking add to the futuristic feel, though they may take some getting used to.

The Dynaudio sound system is a standout, offering rich bass and clear audio, though some may find it overly bass-heavy. The panoramic sunroof enhances cabin airiness, but its fixed glass panel means no tilt or slide function.

Overall, the Sealion 7’s interior is spacious, tech-filled, and well-built, with only minor drawbacks such as slightly firm seat padding and the lack of true one-pedal driving. It delivers a premium EV experience at a competitive price point

What about the back seats?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 offers a spacious and well-appointed second row, making it a practical choice for families and passengers.

Legroom is generous, and while the sloping roofline slightly reduces rear headroom, most occupants will find it comfortable.

The rear seats are well-cushioned and supportive, with the Performance model adding heated outboard seats for extra comfort. Under-thigh support is decent, and the seatback angle is well-judged for long-distance travel.

The flat floor design improves foot space, making it easier for three passengers to sit across, though shoulder space can feel tight with three adults.

Rear passengers get dedicated air vents, USB-C and USB-A charging ports, and a fold-down armrest with cup holders. The door pockets are reasonably sized, and there are dual seatback pockets for additional storage.

The panoramic glass roof allows plenty of natural light in, while privacy glass and rear sunshades (on higher trims) help keep the cabin cool.

What’s boot space like in the BYD Sealion 7?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 offers a practical and well-sized boot, though the coupe-style sloping roofline slightly reduces overall cargo volume compared to more traditional SUV shapes.

With the rear seats in place, the Sealion 7 provides 500 litres of boot space, which is more than enough for everyday use and comparable to most mid-size SUVs.

The powered tailgate is standard across the range. Inside, the boot area is wide and flat, with a low loading lip making it easier to lift in heavier items.

‍Rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 split, expanding the cargo space significantly, though the sloped roofline limits taller items from standing upright.

Under the boot floor, there’s a small storage compartment, which houses the portable charging cable and a tyre repair kit.

Unlike some competitors, the Sealion 7 does not come with a spare wheel, which may be a consideration for those travelling long distances.

A front storage compartment (‘frunk’) adds an extra 58 litres, providing a convenient space for smaller items like charging cables or a backpack.

Overall, the Sealion 7’s boot is well-sized and practical, though the sloping roofline slightly limits vertical storage.

What’s under the bonnet of the BYD Sealion 7?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 is powered by BYD’s Blade Battery technology and offers two powertrain configurations, both featuring an 82.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

The Sealion 7 Premium is a rear-wheel drive (RWD) variant, producing 230kW of power and 380Nm of torque, with a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds.

The Sealion 7 Performance steps up to a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) system, delivering 390kW and 690Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.

Charging capabilities include DC fast charging up to 150kW, allowing a 30-80% charge in around 30 minutes, and AC charging via an 11kW onboard charger. The Sealion 7 also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, meaning it can power external devices using its battery.

How does the BYD Sealion 7 drive?

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 delivers a well-rounded driving experience, blending strong performance with a comfortable ride, though it’s not without its quirks.

The Premium (RWD) and Performance (AWD) variants offer distinct dynamics, catering to buyers looking for either efficiency or outright speed.

The Sealion 7 Premium is powered by a 230kW rear-mounted motor, sending 380Nm of torque to the rear wheels. With a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds, it’s quick enough for daily driving, with smooth and predictable power delivery.

The rear-wheel-drive layout provides a balanced, natural feel, and while it won’t snap your head back under acceleration, it has enough power for confident overtaking and effortless highway merging.

The Sealion 7 Performance significantly ups the ante with 390kW and 690Nm, thanks to its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. With a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, acceleration is brutal off the line, pushing you back into your seat with a surge of instant torque.

While it doesn’t feel quite as aggressive as some performance-focused EVs, it delivers effortless high-speed power, making it more than capable of rapid acceleration at freeway speeds. However, with so much torque, the front wheels can scramble for traction when accelerating hard out of tighter corners.

BYD has taken feedback from the Sealion 6 and tuned the Sealion 7 more for Australian roads, and it’s clear that effort has been put into the suspension setup. The ride is firm but controlled, striking a good balance between comfort and sportiness.

Over smaller bumps and undulations, it remains composed, but sharper imperfections, like potholes and expansion joints, are more noticeable—particularly on the Performance model’s 20-inch wheels.

Through corners, the Sealion 7 feels planted thanks to its low centre of gravity, with average body roll, but it’s still more of a cruiser than a sharp-handling SUV. The steering is light and easy to use around town, but it lacks feedback, making it feel somewhat disconnected on more spirited drives.

While the rear-wheel-drive nature of the Premium variant offers a more traditional driving feel, neither version is what you’d call engaging behind the wheel.

Braking is strong and confidence-inspiring, avoiding the overly grabby or inconsistent feel found in some EVs. However, regenerative braking is limited and does not offer a true one-pedal driving mode, which may disappoint those used to stronger regen settings in rivals.

At highway speeds, the Sealion 7 is quiet and refined, with minimal wind and road noise, thanks to good insulation and an aerodynamically efficient design.

The driver assistance systems work smoothly, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, though some of the warnings and alerts can be intrusive at times.

Efficiency in the 2025 BYD Sealion 7 varies between the Premium (RWD) and Performance (AWD) models, with both featuring an 82.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

The Premium variant delivers an official WLTP range of 482km, while the Performance variant sees a slight drop to 456km, due to its dual-motor setup and added power. In real-world conditions though, energy consumption hovers around 19.6kWh/100km in urban driving, but can climb to 23.6kWh/100km under heavy acceleration or highway use.

Keep in mind it was worse-case conditions for the Sealion 7 during our test, with South Australia heating up to a toasty 45 degrees that day.

Overall, the Sealion 7 delivers a polished driving experience, with strong straight-line performance, good ride comfort, and solid refinement. While it may not be the most engaging SUV to drive, it’s a well-rounded package that offers a good mix of performance, practicality, and everyday usability.

How much does it cost to run the BYD Sealion 7?

‍The BYD Sealion 7 comes with a 6-year, 150,000km warranty.

Servicing costs are $2,288 for the first 6-years - which is on the high end for an electric vehicle.

2025 BYD Sealion 7 comes with the following equipment as standard:

Premium:

• 82.56kWh BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery
• Single electric motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD)
• 230kW of power and 380Nm of torque
• 482km WLTP electric driving range
• 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds
• 150kW DC fast charging capability
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality
• 19-inch alloy wheels with Continental tyres
• 15.6-inch intelligent rotating touchscreen infotainment display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dynaudio premium audio system
• Heated front seats with faux-leather upholstery
• Dual-zone climate control
• Panoramic glass roof with electronic sunshade
• Digital instrument cluster
• Keyless entry and push-button start (including NFC key card)
• 360-degree camera system
• Comprehensive safety suite including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking

Performance adds over Premium:

• Dual-motor all-wheel-drive system (390kW/690Nm)
• 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (vs 6.7 seconds for Premium)
• 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Red-painted brake calipers (standard braking hardware)

Final thoughts on the BYD Sealion 7

The 2025 BYD Sealion 7 is a compelling entry into Australia’s competitive electric SUV market, offering excellent value and standout performance.

‍BYD’s aggressive pricing and strong features give it an edge, particularly with the Premium trim providing great value at $54,990 before on-road costs.

The Performance model, priced at $63,990, offers blistering acceleration with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds.

On-road, the Sealion 7 impresses with strong, instant torque delivery, comfortable ride quality, and a refined cabin that’s well-built and tech-packed.

While it’s not a corner-carving sports SUV, the local tuning for Australian roads ensures good composure and comfort even on challenging surfaces.

Efficiency is competitive, though the Performance variant's WLTP range of 456km falls slightly short of some rivals. Interior comfort and technology, including the rotating touchscreen and Dynaudio audio system, are major highlights, though minor translation quirks remain.

Overall, the BYD Sealion 7 is a solid contender in Australia's growing mid-sized electric SUV market, offering excellent value, strong performance, and appealing features for buyers looking beyond traditional brands.

Just keep an eye on warranty and servicing, both of which are not great when compared to others in the industry.