BYD Sealion 7

First Impressions

The BYD Sealion 7 arrived with a lot of hype after racking up nearly 4,000 bookings at Motor Expo 2024, and I was curious to see if the substance matched the buzz. After spending a full day with the All Wheel Drive Performance variant, I can say it does — mostly. This is a genuinely well-rounded electric SUV that feels a clear step above BYD's earlier efforts like the Atto 3 and Dolphin.

Design and Exterior

It's sportier than the BYD Seal sedan it loosely resembles. The aggressive front DRL signature, functional air intakes near the front wheels, and a rear ducktail spoiler with actual aerodynamic channels give it a purposeful stance. The coupe-style roofline is polarising but I think it works here, especially in the white-with-black-accents combination I had.

Build quality feels solid. The doors have genuine heft to them — close one and you get a satisfying thunk. The flush door handles pop out cleanly, and the overall panel gaps seem tight. Four colour choices are available for the top trim, including an exclusive Char Grey.

Interior and Tech

Inside, soft-touch materials cover the dashboard and key touchpoints, though the fabric-wrapped sections around the A-pillars aren't as plush. The 15.6-inch rotating centre screen runs BYD's familiar interface — functional rather than flashy, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto working immediately. I'd rank BYD's infotainment a tier below XPENG and Deepal's Huawei-based system, but it gets the job done without frustration.

The Dyn Audio speaker system genuinely surprised me. It produces a wide, enveloping soundstage that I'd score around 9 out of 10 for this segment — no aftermarket upgrade needed. Ventilated front seats are a welcome addition for our climate, though sadly the rear seats miss out despite having perforated upholstery. The electric panoramic sunshade is a smart inclusion that the BYD Seal lacks.

Driving Experience

Even in Eco mode, this thing is absurdly fast. I hit 100 km/h almost before I expected to, and Sport mode is genuinely thrilling with that 4.5-second sprint. Power is never an issue — if anything, you have far more than you'll ever need on public roads. The iTAC torque management system is exclusive to this AWD variant and adds a layer of confidence when traction gets sketchy.

Steering is on the lighter side even in Sport mode. Coming from a Tesla Model Y, I noticed the difference immediately. It makes city driving effortless but doesn't deliver the planted, weighty feel I prefer at highway speeds. Brakes are progressive and predictable — a big improvement over the Atto 3's overly sensitive pedal.

The headline story is the suspension. With double wishbones up front, multilink at the rear, and BYD's FSD (frequency selective damping) shocks, the Sealion 7 rides with a firmness that inspires confidence without punishing your spine. Over bumps and expansion joints, the body settles within two rebounds — noticeably better than the Deepal S07 and slightly tighter than the XPENG G6. My cameraman shooting from the rear seat said he felt no motion sickness, which is a real-world endorsement. Noise insulation is also impressive; wind noise is well contained, and the Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres keep road roar to a minimum.

Cargo and Practicality

The boot offers around 500 litres before folding the 60:40 rear seats, which is competitive. Underneath the floor there's additional storage plus the included V2L cable and emergency tyre repair kit — nice to have without paying extra. The 50-litre frunk is handy for cables or small bags. One quirk: the rear seat release is only accessible from inside the cabin, not from the boot itself.

Value for Money

The equipment list is stacked. Dual motors, premium tyres, a quality audio system, V2L, wireless phone charging, full surround cameras, a head-up display, and a comprehensive ADAS suite. When I compare it feature-for-feature against the Model Y, XPENG G6, and Deepal S07, the Sealion 7 matches or exceeds them in most areas while offering genuinely enjoyable driving dynamics.

Final Verdict

The BYD Sealion 7 AWD Performance is the most complete electric SUV BYD has brought to Thailand so far. The suspension tuning alone makes it worth serious consideration — it's firm, composed, and confidence-inspiring without being harsh. Add the massive power reserves, excellent sound system, and generous standard equipment, and you've got a compelling package. I'd recommend test driving both trims though, because the Premium rear-drive variant rides on different tyres and wheels, which will change the character noticeably. For the AWD Performance, it's an easy recommendation.