BYD Seal Vs Sealion 7: Just an SUV/Crossover Counterpart Or Much More Than That?

BYD Seal Vs Sealion 7: BYD has been making significant strides in the Indian electric vehicle market, and their latest addition, the Sealion 7, further expands their premium EV lineup. While it shares its DNA with the Seal sedan, the Sealion 7 is not just a mere SUV counterpart- it brings several distinctive elements that cater to different preferences. Here, I will put these two against each other and see how these two models compare or what sets them apart. Make sure you join our elite 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay versed on the latest automotive news and industry insights.

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BYD Seal Vs Sealion 7

Dimensions and Design: A Matter of Presence

One of the most apparent distinctions between the Seal and the Sealion 7 lies in their size, stance and body type. The Sealion 7 offer a larger SUV-like body, featuring a longer, wider and taller profile. This naturally results in a higher ground clearance which makes it more suitable for Indian road conditions. With the extended wheelbase which stretches the tape to 2.9 metres across, and increased boot space of 500 litres (400 litres in the Seal), the Sealion 7 also gets a frunk with 58 litres of capacity (50 litres in the Seal). All this adds to its practicality, especially for those who require extra cargo capacity.

On the design front, both vehicles share BYD's "Ocean X" aesthetics design language. This design language is characterized by sleek headlamps, connected LED tail lamps and an overall futuristic appeal. However, the Sealion 7 introduces an X-shaped front fascia motif and a taller nose, giving it a bolder SUV character. Additionally, while both models are available in similar colour palettes, the Sealion 7 gets an exclusive Shark Grey shade, whereas the Seal comes with a unique Arctic Blue option.

Sectional Verdict: The Sealion 7 takes the lead in terms of practicality and road presence, making it a better choice for those who need a more spacious and versatile vehicle.

Check out more information about the BYD Sealion 7 here

Cabin and Features: Similar Yet Different

Having a look inside the cabin, the similarities in luxury and technology are apparent. Both Seal and Sealion come equipped with a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment system, a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, a panoramic sunroof and an advanced ADAS suite. However, the dashboard layout and ergonomics differ significantly. The Sealion 7 offer a more integrated and streamlined dashboard, whereas the Seal opts for a layered and floating design that adds a sense of depth to the interior and has a better visual appeal.

There are also subtle yet impactful differences in cabin quality. The Sealion 7 gets the premium feel with improved upholstery and soft-touch materials, along with powered roller blinds for the sunroof (a feature absent in the Seal). On the other hand, the Seal offers electronically controlled AC vents, whereas the Sealion 7 sticks to a more conventional manual control setup.

Sectional Verdict: The Sealion 7 edges ahead with a more luxurious feel, while the Seal scores with better technological convenience through electronically controlled AC vents. But this game altogether depends on personal preferences. So, In this part, no car has an edge over the other one.

Performance: A Trade-off Between Speed and Practicality

Under the hood, both models share the option of an 82.56kWh Blade cell LFP battery pack, with performance figures varying based on the configuration. The Seal, however, has an additional entry-level variant with a smaller 61.44 kWh battery, offering a more budget-friendly alternative.

The Sealion 7, owing to its increased size and weight, is slightly slower in acceleration compared to the Seal. While the Seal can achieve a 0-100 kmph sprint in as little as 3.8 seconds in its top-spec AWD variant, the Sealion 7's best time stands at 4.5 seconds. However, the trade-off comes in the form of SUV practicality-higher ground clearance and a more robust road presence making the Sealion 7 a better choice for diverse terrains.

When it comes to driving range, the Seal outperforms the Sealion 7, particularly in the top-spec configuration where it can offer up to 650 km on a single charge. The Sealion 7 on the other hand, also delivers a respectable but slightly lower range that maxes out at around 567 km for the single motor option and 542 km/charge for the AWD version.

Sectional Verdict: The Seal wins in outright performance and range. This makes it ideal for enthusiasts, while the Sealion 7 compensates with better road adaptability and versatility on all terrains.

Safety: Going the Extra Mile

Both models pack an impressive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, ABS, traction control, and ADAS functionalities. However, Sealion 7 edges ahead with an additional two airbags, bringing its total count to 11 compared to the Seal's 9. This minor yet significant addition doesn't make the SUV version much superior in terms of safety but makes it a more family-friendly SUV.

Sectional Verdict: While the safety features/package on both the Seal and Sealion remain the same. The Sealion 7 is the safer option with two additional airbags on offer. However, this is not a big difference, customers who prioritize safety can see the Sealion 7 as a better choice.

BYD Seal Vs Sealion 7: Charging and Convenience

Both Seal and Sealion 7 support fast charging, but the Seal exhibits a slight advantage in terms of charging efficiency. It can juice up from 10% to 80% in just 37 minutes using a 150kW charger, whereas the Sealion 7 takes approximately 45 minutes. For home charging setups, both take around 8-9 hours for a full charge via an AC wall box charger. One significant drawback of both the EVs is they support 11 kW AC charging, but the company-provided AC wall box charger maxes out at 7 kW. This eventually results in a longer charging duration.

Sectional Verdict: The Seal has a minor advantage in charging efficiency, making it a slightly better pick for those who prioritize quick top-ups. But this doesn't make the Sealion 7 inferior to the Seal in the respective department.

Check out more information about the Seal here

BYD Seal Vs Sealion 7: Pricing and Value Proposition

The BYD Seal offers a wider pricing range, starting at Rs 41 lakh for the base Dynamic variant and going up to Rs 53 lakh for the Performance variant. The Sealion 7, with its exclusive focus on the premium segment, starts at Rs 48.90 lakh and reaches Rs 54.90 lakh for the top-end model. While the Seal caters to those seeking a sleek, high-performance electric sedan, the Sealion 7 targets buyers looking for an SUV with more space, comfort and road presence.

Sectional Verdict: The Seal is more budget-friendly, offering a greater variety of price options, while the Sealion 7 justifies its higher price with added practicality and safety.

Final Verdict: Which One Suits You Better?

The decision between the Seal and the Sealion 7 ultimately boils down to personal preference and intended use. If you prioritize sporty performance, superior range and a more dynamic design, the Seal is the ideal choice for you. However, if a high-riding stance, better practicality and enhanced safety features are your primary concerns, the Sealion 7 makes for a compelling buy.

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