BYD Sealion 7 long-term test: report 1

Our high-mileage video editor wants to go electric, but needs a car capable of covering big miles – can the long-legged BYD Sealion 7 fit the bill?...

Published16 October 2025

The Car BYD Sealion 7 Excellence AWD

Why it’s here To prove that an Electric car can be a suitable choice for a high mileage, luggage loading Videographer

Needs to Provide comfort on long journeys, easily transport people and equipment on long shoots and convince a die hard combustion engine user that ICE isn't the only way to go

Mileage 1001 List price £59,000 Best price £52,490 Price as tested £60,100 Official range 312 miles Test range 270 miles Options fitted Obsidian Black Paint (£1100)

16 October 2025 – New beginnings

Within the past year, the most talked about video on the What Car? YouTube channel has been our review of the BYD Sealion 7. It has not only amassed more than 1.3 million views, but more than 1200 comments. We filmed it in Frankfurt in November 2024, and I remember saying to reviews editor Will Nightingale at the time that this was a car that could tempt me to go electric.

You see, BYD has some fine vehicles in its stable (or should that be aquarium?), including the Dolphin Surf hatchback and Seal executive saloon. But if any of its models feels tailor-made for me, it’s the Sealion 7, given that my job requires me to travel with flight cases full of camera gear, and this is the most spacious BYD yet.

Fast forward 10 months, and a range-topping Excellence AWD version of the Sealion 7 is now parked on my driveway. At £59,000, this costs £12,000 more than the entry-level Comfort model, and £7000 more than the mid-range Design, but I believe the premium is justifiable.

Choosing Excellence has given me the largest battery on offer (91.3kWh usable) and the longest range (312 miles). True, rivals such as the MG IM6 and Tesla Model Y can go even farther, but I doubt I’ll ever want to do more than 300 miles in one hit without a break. Plus, my car can charge from 10-80% in as little as 24 minutes, thanks to a maximum rate of 230kW. That’s much faster than the 150kW maximum speed offered by the lower two trims.

The other advantage of my Excellence AWD car is the AWD element. As we head into winter, the country roads where we film can become icy and more perilous, so I’m very happy that I’ll have the extra traction that all-wheel drive brings.

It’s worth noting that BYD also offers a mid-spec Design AWD model for £52,000. However, this comes with the smaller, 82.5kWh battery and is only good for 283 miles between charges.

My car is painted Obsidian Black, which (at £1100) pushes the purchase price past the £60,000 mark. I chose this colour because A) it should stand out less in reflections when I’m filming other cars, and B) I think it suits the Sealion 7, simple as that.

There are two interior colour schemes to pick from, and I’ve gone for black to match the exterior. The lighter Tahiti Blue also looks good, though, and it’s a no-cost option – unlike lighter colour schemes offered in the Model Y, which cost more than £1000. But I remember the Tahiti Blue interior of the Seal that editor Steve Huntingford ran a little while back ended up looking rather grubby – something I was keen to avoid with my car.

I’ve had it for a few weeks now and I have to say, our relationship is off to a great start. I’ve actually managed to find a free charger in our office car park most days, so I’m enjoying leaving petrol pumps (and the cost that comes with them) in my metaphorical rear-view mirror.

As I write this, I’ve covered about 1000 miles behind the wheel, and I’ve found the Nappa leather seats incredibly comfy. Meanwhile, the seat heating and ventilation have both proven handy during the mix of warm and chilly weather we’ve been having. And, so far, there’s not been a single journey where I’ve fretted about my Sealion 7’s range.

To be fair, my commute isn't really testing: it consists of roughly 20 miles (there and back) of slow-moving, London traffic. Instead, my farthest trip so far has been from London to Bicester – about 75 miles (each way) on the motorway. On this journey, my car’s battery was near-enough brimmed to begin with, and I made it home with 50% charge remaining.

So far, then, I’m loving electric car ownership – and the Sealion 7 itself. Still, it’s early days and I wonder if a Christmas trip to Scotland or a hiking adventure in the Forest of Dean that I have coming up will dampen my enthusiasm.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here