BYD launched the Sealion 7 with prices ranging between Rs 48.9 lakh and Rs 54.9 lakh. For its price and positioning, it rivals entry-level luxury EVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQA, BMW iX1 LWB, Volvo EX40 and C40 Recharge, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. We find out how it fares on paper against its competitors.
BYD Sealion 7 battery, range and performance vs rivals
| BYD Sealion 7 VS RIVALS: battery | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV | Sealion 7 | Ioniq 5 | iX1 LWB | EX40 | C40 Recharge | EQA |
| Battery size (kWh) | 82.56 | 72.6 | 66.4 | 69 | 78 | 70.5 |
| Range (km) | 567, 542** | 631* | 531* | 475 | 530 | 560 |
| Power (hp) | 313, 530 | 217 | 204 | 238 | 408 | 190 |
| Torque (Nm) | 380, 690 | 350 | 250 | 420 | 660 | 385 |
| Drive type | RWD, AWD | RWD | FWD | RWD | AWD | FWD |
| 0-100kph (seconds) | 6.7, 4.5 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 4.7 | 8.6 |
| 0-100 percent AC charger (hours) | 11 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6 | 8 | 7.2 |
| 10-80 percent DC fast charging time (minutes) | 45 (0-100 percent) | 18 | 29 | 30 | 40 | 35 |
*MIDC, **NEDC
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Top-spec Sealion 7 is most powerful here; makes 530hp and 690Nm
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0-100kph takes 4.5 seconds
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Sealion 7 only SUV to offer RWD and AWD
The Sealion has the largest battery among its competitors at 82.56kWh. The Volvo C40 Recharge comes a close second with its 78kWh battery, while the BMW iX1 LWB's 66.4kWh battery is the smallest. The Sealion 7’s maximum power (530hp) and torque (690Nm) figures are much higher than its competitors, which translates to the quickest 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds. Our BYD Sealion 7 review also notes the rolling acceleration times and other interesting features of the SUV. The Volvo C40 Recharge comes the closest with a 0-100kph time of 4.7 seconds. The BYD is also the only EV here that lets buyers choose between either RWD or AWD.
BYD rates its range in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) cycle, while BMW and Hyundai follow the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC); the others here are based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle. So, while we can't compare their range directly, the Hyundai Ioniq 5's 631km range is the highest. This is followed by the Sealion 7's NEDC range of 456km-482km. The Sealion 7 takes 11 hours to go from 0-100 percent, but its larger battery size must be taken into consideration. The Volvo EX40 takes the least time – 6 hours – owing to its smaller battery.
BYD Sealion 7 dimensions vs rivals
| BYD Sealion 7 vs rivals: dimensions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV | Sealion 7 | Ioniq 5 | iX1 LWB | EX40 | C40 Recharge | EQA |
| Length (mm) | 4830 | 4635 | 4616 | 4440 | 4440 | 4463 |
| Width (mm) | 1925 | 1890 | 1845 | 1873 | 1873 | 1834 |
| Height (mm) | 1620 | 1625 | 1627 | 1647 | 1591 | 1624 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2930 | 3000 | 2800 | 2702 | 2702 | 2729 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 163 | - | - | 175 | 171 | 137 |
| Boot space (litre) | 500 (rear), 58 (front) | - | 490 | 410 (rear), 31 (front) | 413 (rear), 31 (front) | 340 |
| Wheel size (inch) | 19, 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
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Sealion 7 is the longest at 4,830mm
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Gets 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels
At 4,830mm, the Sealion 7 is a whopping 390mm longer than the smallest SUVs in this comparison – the Volvo EX40 and C40 Recharge – and it is also the widest here. The Ioniq 5 leads the pack with the longest wheelbase of 3,000mm.
The Sealion 7 offers the option of both 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels, while all others come with a single wheels size; the BMW iX1 LWB has the smallest wheel size of 18 inches.
BYD Sealion 7 price vs rivals
| BYD Sealion 7 VS RIVALS: PRICES (IN LAKH) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV | Sealion 7 | Ioniq 5 | iX1 LWB | EX40 | C40 Recharge | EQA |
| Price | 48.90-54.90 | 46.05 | 49 | 56.10 | 62.95 | 67.20 |
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Ioniq 5 is most affordable; EQA priciest
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Sealion 7 only EV here offered in two trims
Except the Ioniq 5, the Sealion 7 is cheaper than its German and Swedish rivals. Notably, the BYD Sealion 7 is the only e-SUV to be sold two variants – Sealion 7 Premium (Rs 48.90 lakh) and Sealion 7 Performance (Rs 54.90 lakh). The Mercedes EQA – Rs 67.20 lakh – is not only the most expensive of the lot but also up to Rs 18.3 lakh costlier than the Sealion 7.
ALL PRICES ARE EX-SHOWROOM
Also, see:
BYD Sealion 7 launched at Rs 48.9 lakh