BYD Sealion 7 2024 Review

The D-segment pure electric SUV market has been heating up in Malaysia in recent years. Consumers not only want a spacious interior to meet family needs but also expect the smooth experience and intelligent features of an electric vehicle. As a new contender in this segment, the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Premium highlights its core selling points such as 313PS rear-wheel drive, 567km official range, and full intelligent safety configurations. This time we got our hands on the real car to test whether its actual performance matches its positioning and whether these features are genuinely practical in daily use.

From a distance, the Sealion 7 Premium showcases a simple yet distinctive design. The front features a closed grille with the BYD English Logo in the center, sharp LED headlights on both sides, and daytime running lights integrated with the front trim strip, enhancing the visual width. The car's side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline stretching from the A-pillar to the rear that is not overly exaggerated. The recessed design under the doors adds a sense of layering, and paired with 19-inch dual-color wheels, the overall look is stable and elegant. At the rear, the highlight is the running-through LED tail lights, which have high recognition when lit. The lower bumper design is relatively simple without unnecessary embellishments, maintaining consistency with the front styling.

Opening the door, the interior is dominated by a dark color scheme, complemented by silver trim and soft-touch materials, giving it a good texture. The center console layout is well-organized, with a 15.6-inch rotatable touch screen serving as the visual centerpiece. The system responds quickly and supports common features such as navigation, music, and smartphone connectivity. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable, with driving assistance function buttons on the left and multimedia controls on the right, making it easy to operate. The HUD head-up display combined with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster provides clear information on speed, range, and navigation, reducing the need to frequently look down at the dashboard. Regarding configurations, the front and rear seats are all electrically adjustable, with the front driver's seat offering 8-way adjustments and the front passenger seat 6-way adjustments. The rear seats also provide 6-way adjustments, which is relatively rare in this category. The front seats come with heating functionality, but unfortunately, ventilation is not available. Additionally, the standard Dynaudio 12-speaker sound system delivers expected audio quality, which is more than sufficient for daily music listening.

In terms of space, the car measures 4830mm in length, 1925mm in width, and 1620mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2930mm, placing it within the mainstream range of D-segment SUVs. The front row offers spacious seating, with a 175cm tall passenger having about a fist and two fingers of headroom and ample legroom after adjusting the seat. The rear row is even more impressive; a passenger of the same height sitting in the rear gets over two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. The nearly flat floor makes seating three people comfortable. The trunk has a standard capacity of 500 liters, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats, making it suitable for storing strollers and suitcases for daily use. As for storage spaces, the front central armrest box is large, the door panel storage slots can hold large bottles, and the rear row also features independent cup holders and storage compartments, offering excellent practicality.

In the powertrain department, the Sealion 7 Premium is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering a maximum power of 230kW (313PS) and a maximum torque of 380N·m. According to official figures, it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. During actual driving, the power responds quickly at take-off, delivering a noticeable push-back feeling with a light press on the accelerator. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is also strong; when overtaking, a firm press on the accelerator provides prompt power without lag. There are three driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is relatively smooth, suitable for daily commuting; in Sport mode, the power becomes more aggressive, catering to driving enthusiasts.

In terms of handling, the combination of front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned for comfort without compromising firmness. When driving on smooth roads, the chassis effectively filters out minor vibrations, providing good stability. Over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension quickly absorbs shocks, preventing noticeable reverberations from being transmitted to the cabin. The steering feels light and precise, allowing even female drivers to handle it effortlessly. At high speeds, the steering wheel becomes heavier, improving stability.

In terms of range, the official CLTC range is 567km. During our test, where we used the air conditioning throughout and drove half on urban roads and half on highways at an average speed of about 60km/h, the actual range was approximately 480km, achieving about 85% of the official figure. This performance is within expectations. Regarding fast charging, it takes only 32 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, making daily charging quite convenient. Energy consumption is about 15kWh/100km in urban driving and about 18kWh/100km on highways, with an overall average of 16.5kWh/100km, placing it at a medium level among vehicles in its class.

In terms of driving comfort, the Sealion 7 Premium performs admirably. At high speeds, wind and tire noise are well-controlled, becoming slightly noticeable only over 120km/h, but they won't affect conversations inside the vehicle. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, ensuring comfort even during long journeys. The regenerative braking system offers three adjustable levels, with the highest setting providing a noticeable braking feel and the lowest setting mimicking the coasting experience of a fuel car, catering to different driving habits.

Overall, the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Premium has distinct core strengths: a spacious interior, especially the rear seats; full-featured intelligent safety configurations (9 airbags and L2-level driver assistance); and impressive performance in both power and range. Compared to the Tesla Model Y Long Range (with a price of about RM219,000), the Sealion 7 Premium is more affordable, better equipped, and offers more interior space. While the NIO ES6 may have a stronger brand influence, the Sealion 7 Premium offers higher cost-effectiveness.

This car is clearly suited for a specific group of people: families who prioritize space and practicality, need a car for daily commutes and weekend outings, and have high requirements for features and safety. Additionally, young consumers who enjoy the smooth experience of electric vehicles but don’t want to spend too much money may also consider this car.

In conclusion, the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Premium is a well-balanced D-segment pure electric SUV with no significant shortcomings in space, features, power, or range. It offers exceptional value for money and competitive strength within its class. If you are looking for a pure electric SUV suitable for family use, it is definitely worth considering.