BYD Sealion 7 long-term test: report 4
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?...
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 4155 List price £59,000 Best price £52,490 Price as tested £60,100 Official range 312 miles Test range 244 miles
16 December 2025 – Out of sight, out of mind
When I decided to introduce a BYD Sealion 7 into my life as my daily driver, one of the most important factors which sold me on the idea was the car’s luggage space.
You see, like the rival Tesla Model Y and many other large electric SUVs, my Sealion 7 is incredibly practical. It has an enormous and versatile 520-litre boot, as well as a 73-litre deep, underfloor storage well. Under the bonnet, there’s also a 58-litre front boot (or frunk, as some people call it).
For most of the video shoots I’ve taken the car on, the main, rear boot has proven to be spacious enough for all my camera gear. What’s more, the load lip is reasonably low, so hauling my enormous PeliCase (essentially a big, robust suitcase for my camera gear) over it is no issue. I can also pull the tonneau cover out and it perfectly covers all of my precious equipment, keeping it safe from prying eyes.
As for the so-called frunk, I must admit I rarely use it. It’s a bit of a pain to access, because the release is deep below the steering column and, once it's popped, I have to fiddle with the latch and get my hands grubby. It’s just not worth the hassle unless I’ve absolutely run out of space in the main boot.
In such an event, like a big family trip with five of us and our luggage in the car, I have found that a suitcase will fit in the frunk. However, day to day, the frunk remains shut, with just the car’s own charging cable, Vehicle-to-Load adapter and three-pin plug stored in there.
The underfloor storage well, however, is my secret weapon. I live in central London where, sadly, thefts from vehicles is a big issue. So when I have only a few modestly-sized items on me and I want to leave them in the car (my laptop and headphones, for instance), I just place them under the boot floor and nobody is any the wiser.
It gives me even more peace of mind than the tonneau cover, because this way there’s zero suspicion of anything valuable being in the car. Out of sight, out of mind – and out of the hands of anyone of a criminal disposition.
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