Summary
The BYD Sealion is a mid-large electric SUV that sits at the top of the ever-expanding BYD family. It was unveiled in 2024 before arriving in the UK in early 2025.
The Sealion 7 is related to the BYD Seal saloon, although it uses a more advanced version of the Seal’s platform, including more advanced electric motor and drive technologies for better performance and efficiency.
Initial media reviews for the BYD Sealion 7 have been disappointing. Despite praise for its spacious cabin and decent levels of kit for the money, several reviewers have pointed out that the Sealion 7 is more expensive and not as good to drive as a Tesla Model Y.
The ride and handling of the Sealion 7 have also been questioned by several reviewers, with Darren Cassey from Carwow describing it as “not very comfortable” and Dean Gibson from Auto Express pointing out that it “doesn’t drive as sweetly” as some alternatives.
On the positive side, it has an excellent safety rating according to testing by Euro NCAP, scoring a full five stars when testing in April 2025.
As of June 2025, the BYD Sealion 7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 70%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and zero tailpipe emissions, but its running costs are only average and its media review scores have been poor.
Sealion 7 highlights
- Spacious interior compared to a petrol SUV
- Competitive pricing and specification
- Some tech not intuitive enough
- Reasonable battery range, although not class-leading
Sealion 7 lowlights
- Ride quality not particularly comfortable
- Driving experience is sub-par
- Fit and finish not a match for class leaders
- The name is a bit cringey
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-large five-seat SUV
Engines: Electric
Price: From £44,990
Launched: Winter 2024/25
Last updated: N/A
Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The BYD Sealion 7 is a spacious SUV with some clever tech, but it’s not very comfortable and alternatives are nicer inside.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Darren Cassey
“The BYD Sealion 7 is a Chinese, electric family SUV that’s strong on space and kit, but doesn’t drive as sweetly as some in this competitive segment.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Dean Gibson, Alex Ingram
More reviews
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“BYD’s large electric SUV promises advanced technology, sporty performance and premium comfort, but doesn’t quite deliver in all areas.”
Author: Catherine King
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Sealion 7 goes big on interior space and kit – although it’s not such a polished package as the Seal.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Sealion 7, slightly odd name aside, is well equipped, has decent range and performance, and is comfortable and quiet. A bit more polish in some areas would elevate it even higher, but as it stands the BYD Sealion 7 is well worth consideration.”
Author: Kyle Fortune, Seth Walton
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The BYD Sealion 7 is a fairly upmarket electric SUV with a spacious interior and lots of tech, but it needs some fine polishing.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, Jordan Katsianis
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“BYD’s large family SUV is a rival to the Tesla Model Y, and with value, comfort and interior quality on its side, it could steal sales from its American nemesis.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Excellence AWD
Score: 9 / 10
“The BYD Sealion 7 offers an excellent driving experience, with comfortable ride quality, together with impressive performance and reassuring levels of grip in Excellence AWD trim. The interior is spacious, it feels genuinely premium and features the latest technology.”
Author: Paul Clarke
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“While the BYD Sealion 7 is able to compete with similarly priced but more established rivals, its sub-par ride and handling, plus some tech-related annoyances, mean it can’t be heartily recommended over better-known alternatives. And don’t get us started on the name…”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Solid electric SUV will have a hard job toppling the class leaders.”
Author: Piers Ward, Seth Walton
Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“So much for these Chinese brands undercutting rivals – the new BYD Sealion 7 is more expensive than its big rival, the new Tesla Model Y. It also doesn’t go as far on a single charge. So being more expensive and with a smaller range immediately count against the BYD, and then you drive it, which might put you off even more.”
Author: Steve Fowler
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Functional, fast, but somewhat forgettable.”
Author: Dave Humphreys
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“Despite significant improvements on earlier Chinese BYD models, the BYD Sealion 7 is in danger of becoming just another battery-powered family SUV.”
Author: Andrew English
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The BYD Sealion 7 is big, roomy and well-equipped for the price. But even though it’s quick, it’s not as much fun as some rivals.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: April 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 93%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 79%
The BYD Sealion 7 scored top marks in its Euro NCAP safety assessment in 2025, with excellent results in every category.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of May 2025, the BYD Sealion 7 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Sealion 7 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of May 2025, we don’t have independently verified data available for the BYD Sealion 7. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
The BYD Sealion 7 is still a very new car, we don’t have enough data to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Sealion 7, we’ll publish the results here.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BYD Sealion 7
As of May 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the BYD Sealion 7. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BYD dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BYD Sealion 7, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi Q6 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Cupra Tavascan | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Genesis Electrified GV70 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Jaguar I-Pace | KGM Torres EVX | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQC | Mini Countryman Electric | Nissan Ariya | Peugeot e-3008 | Polestar 3 | Renault Scenic E-Tech | Skoda Enyaq | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y | Toyota bZ4X | Vauxhall Grandland Electric | Volkswagen ID.4
The ranks of mid-to-large electric SUVs are swelling by the week, with almost every major brand offering at least one vehicle that could rival the BYD Sealion 7 on price and/or specification. It’s a hugely competitive market out there, so keep an eye on our Expert Rating scores and new car offers from the leading brands to make the best decision for your needs.
More information
More news, reviews and information about BYD at The Car Expert
Buy a BYD Sealion 7
If you’re looking to buy a new or used BYD Sealion 7, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a BYD Sealion 7
If you’re looking to lease a new BYD Sealion 7, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a BYD Sealion 7
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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