Test Drive BYD Sealion 7: Chinese SUV Can Go 0 to 60 in 4.5 Seconds

After spending three days driving the car around Singapore, I can’t find much to complain about the Sealion 7’s design. Even the panel gaps and finish are solid — a big step up from how people used to view Chinese cars.

Part of BYD’s visual success comes down to its design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, who joined BYD in 2017. Egger was the designer behind some of Alfa Romeo’s best-looking models.

As the more premium Sealion variant, this one features red brake calipers — perhaps a subtle hint at how fast it can go.

The less subtle way BYD is shouting about how fast its Sealion 7 AWD Performance is? A “4.5S” badge slapped on the back — signaling that it hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds.

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe S takes 4.7 seconds.

It’s worth highlighting how refined the Sealion 7 feels in everyday driving. On the expressway, it cruises comfortably at fast speeds with minimal wind or road noise. Tire noise is slightly noticeable, though — this variant runs on performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport EVs, which tend to be louder due to their tread pattern.

Still, that hardly matters when you have the standard 12-speaker DynAudio sound system and double-glazed windows. Together, they ensured I could enjoy my playlist without interruption. For the curious: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Stereophonics, and Fuel were part of the mix.

The 15.6-inch touchscreen rotates to portrait mode and controls everything from windows and climate to in-car karaoke. When karaoke is activated, the screen displays a QR code that passengers can scan — so drivers don’t get distracted by the lyrics.

Back in 2008, I reviewed a Chinese SUV at a time when the country was still new to exporting cars. I remember thinking its handling was underwhelming, even questioning how safe it would be in an emergency maneuver.

Well, it’s now 2025, and it’s clear that ride and handling have improved. In this all-wheel-drive variant, I would be confident to take it down winding roads. Steering feedback is reassuring, and stopping power is just as strong.

I returned the keys to the BYD Sealion 7 feeling genuinely impressed. While I haven’t tested the more affordable Premium variant, the extra 42,620 Chinese yuan for the AWD Performance model feels justified. It has stronger performance, larger wheels with better tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that adds both confidence and capability.

I drove 223 miles on a full charge and returned the car with 7% battery remaining — about 20 miles of range. That falls slightly short of the brochure’s quoted 460 km, or 286 miles, WLTP range, but in real-world conditions, it’s still solid for everyday use.