The Sealion 7 is, as we all know, the all-electric, swoopy rooflined coupe-style version of the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV, right? Well, yes and no. But mainly no.
While the two share a name, quite a bit of their styling and are pretty much the same size, the Sealion 7 is actually swoopy rooflined coupe-style SUV version of the Seal sedan, while the vehicle we know here as the Sealion 6 is actually the Song Plus in China, and was initially launched as an ICE vehicle in 2020. Even more confusingly it is also sold as the Seal U in Europe…
Regardless of what it is called and where it sits globally, it slots perfecting into BYD’s local range as the swoopier, all-electric version of the Sealion family, with the $67,990 Sealion 7 Premium RWD starting at just $3K more than the top Sealion 6 Premium AWD ($64,990).
If, however, you desire an AWD version, then there is also the Sealion 7 Performance AWD that tops the Sealion family range at $79,990.
The Performance is powered by a big 82.5kWh battery (that is good for up to 456km range under the WLTP test cycle) and a pair of electric motors that together pump an extraordinary 390kW and 690Nm through all four wheels.
While this has to be balanced against the Sealion’s 2340kg weight, it is still more than good enough to power the sleek SUV forward at a startling rate - 4.5 seconds to 100km/h - for a luxurious family SUV crossover.
Yes, the Sealion 7 Performance is strikingly fast, but it still very much leans towards comfort when it comes to ride and handling, meaning that it really isn’t a huge fan of hammering into corners. Hammering out? Yes, absolutely, but just take it easy on the way in please.
Ride quality is genuinely supple and cosseting, but with a slightly niggly edge over coarse or broken surfaces, no doubt largely thanks to the big 20-inch alloys that come standard with the Performance, plus the higher tyre pressures EVs need to run on (the Sealion sits on 42 PSI).
The Sealion 7 Performance looks good, is extremely well equipped, has a beautifully made and luxurious interior, and goes very fast indeed - so it’s all good, right?
But this is a genuinely small thing, and overall the Performance’s ride quality is impressively well-sorted and in keeping with its generously equipped and impressively high quality interior.
Speaking of the interior, it is an excellent example of how fast the Chinese manufacturers have learned and adapted to western customer preferences, with styling that not only improves on the Sealion 6’s interior (which isn’t all that old and definitely isn’t low quality in any way), but also shies away from the quirky excesses of the first BYD to land here - the Atto 3 - in favour of a flowing, stylish design that comes off as considerably more upmarket.
So far so good then, the Sealion 7 Performance looks good, is extremely well equipped, has a beautifully made and luxurious interior, and goes very fast indeed - so it’s all good, right?
Well… here’s the thing; it is all good, but I still don’t know if I’d bother. You see, the Sealion 7 Premium mentioned earlier represents something of a problem for its faster AWD sibling.
While the Premium drops the front electric motor and silly-big power, along with coloured front brake calipers, the 20-inch alloys, the heated steering wheel and rear heated seats in favour of more range (482km) and a hefty $12,000 saving, it doesn’t drop anything else.
I would argue the Premium is a better purchase. That said, a heated steering wheel would make me consider it all the same…
The Premium packs the same interior, same equipment and same capabilities as the Performance, albeit taking 6.7 seconds to hit the open road speed limit.
But there is something else the Premium drops - 115kg in weight, which I would argue makes it a more engaging drive than the super-fast AWD model. Not that either is particularly engaging, being very soft and comfort oriented, but the RWD Premium just has a slightly more responsive and agile front end, while the slightly smaller 19-inch alloy wheels also dole out a slightly better ride.
Unless you really desperately need heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, coloured front brake calipers, bigger wheels and the ability to hit the speed limit in 4.5 seconds, then I would argue the Premium is a better purchase. That said, a heated steering wheel would make me consider it all the same…
How much is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD?
The Sealion 7 Performance AWD tops the Sealion range at $79,990 and, as mentioned, adds bigger wheels, painted front brake calipers, heated rear sats, a heated steering wheel, an extra electric motor on the front axle and 115kg of extra weight to the Premium RWD model's already generous standard equipment.
What are the key statistics for the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD?
Both Sealion 7's use the same 82.5kWh battery, with the Performance being good for up to 456km of WLTP-tested range. As well as the Premium model's 230kW/380Nm rear mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the Performance also gets a front-mounted 160kW/310Nm squirrel cage induction asynchronous electric motor, making it good for a combined total output of 390kW and 690Nm through all four wheels.
Is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD efficient?
The Sealion 7 Performance will use around 18kWh/100km under normal daily running with a mix of urban and open road running. It isn't particularly bother by how you actually drive it either, with relatively little variation between a gentle touch on the throttle and a more heavy-footed approach.
Is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD good to drive?
Comfortable and extremely refined around town, the Sealion 7 is a delightful daily driver, albeit with a slightly brittle edge thanks to the Performance model's bigger wheels. Out on the open road it flows delightfully from corner to corner, but ask it to go a bit deeper into corners and it quickly gets out of its comfort zone.
Is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD practical?
Despite being almost the same length as the Sealion 6, the 7 has a 165mm longer wheelbase which translates into a massive amount of extra rear seat legroom, as well as a larger boot (500 litres compared to the Sealion 6's 425 litres), despite the lower coupe-style roofline. The Sealion 7 also gets a 58 litre frunk as an added practicality bonus.
What do we like about the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD?
Blistering acceleration combined with a cosseting ride may not make for the sportiest handling experience, but it sure does make for a superbly comfortable, effortlessly muscular tourer that simply devours long distances.
What don’t we like about the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD?
I'm just not entirely convinced it is worth the extra money the Performance asks over the Premium model. A smaller premium over the, er, Premium would be easier to swallow, but $12K? That's harder...
What kind of person would the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD suit?
Someone who has to have the fastest version of any given car, regardless of whether that actually makes it a better deal or not. Otherwise, just buy the Premium - it is every bit as excellent, just 2.2 seconds slower to the speed limit.
