BYD, Sealion 7 (Latest Model)

The Comfort starts at roughly £47,000 before retailer offers. A rear-mounted motor produces approximately 308bhp, with an 82.5kWh battery and 300 miles of official WLTP range. Expect around 225–265 miles in mixed UK conditions. The £52,000 Design AWD uses two motors producing approximately 523bhp, turning the Sealion 7 into a remarkably quick family SUV; official range drops to 283 miles and a realistic 215–250.

The Excellence AWD costs close to £59,000 and retains roughly 523bhp but upgrades to a 91.3kWh battery. Official range rises to 312 miles, while everyday use should yield about 235–275. It also charges much faster and adds more luxurious finishing. Prices and promotional reductions change, so compare actual on-the-road quotes. Comfort is already so well specified that the extra money for Design makes most sense if you specifically want all-wheel drive and rapid acceleration. Excellence is the tempting choice for frequent long-distance use.

The cabin is a statement of intent. A sweeping dashboard, generous soft-touch surfaces and a large central touchscreen create a more expensive impression than the badge might lead established European-brand buyers to expect. Heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic roof contribute to the feeling that this is a car designed to keep its occupants thoroughly comfortable. There is plenty of storage, although the glossy trim will attract fingerprints.

BYD’s rotating display is an entertaining party trick and its graphics are crisp. More importantly, the menus house navigation, vehicle settings and much of the climate operation; sometimes a conventional switch would simply be quicker. The digital driver display is useful and the cabin feels well assembled but the interface can become distracting until familiar. The Sealion 7 makes an Audi Q4 seem restrained and a Tesla interior look positively austere. The Seal comes generously equipped with technology and convenience features, although some are more useful in everyday driving than others.

The Comfort has enough power to make motorway slip roads effortless and the dual-motor cars are genuinely startling when you press the accelerator hard. There is something mildly absurd about a sizeable family SUV accelerating with this much enthusiasm while carrying a week's shopping. Power delivery is smooth, the all-wheel-drive system provides plenty of grip and the light steering makes the car easy to manoeuvre around town

Weight is the catch. At more than two tonnes, the Sealion 7 can feel substantial through fast changes of direction, with more body movement than the sharp styling suggests. Ride quality is generally pleasant, though larger wheels transmit abrupt bumps more clearly. On motorways it settles well, with effective cabin insulation and comfortable seats. You can hustle it along a winding road but it is more convincing as a swift, luxurious distance-coverer than as an oversized sports car.

The 82.5kWh Comfort offers around 225–265 miles in typical mixed driving, with motorway winter use reducing that further. The dual-motor Design can deliver around 215–250, while the larger-battery Excellence should manage roughly 235–275. These are estimates rather than guaranteed outcomes and sustained high speeds can make the difference considerable. The Sealion 7's size and weight impose an efficiency penalty relative to more compact rivals.

Comfort and Design accept up to 150kW DC charging, taking approximately 32 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent in good conditions. Excellence lifts the peak to 230kW and can complete the same charge in around 24 minutes. All support AC charging at up to 11kW; a typical 7kW domestic unit will need an overnight session and the larger battery may need more than twelve hours from empty. A heat pump is standard. Home charging can make the running costs attractive but insurance, tyres and depreciation deserve careful attention.

The Sealion 7 measures 4,830mm long, 1,925mm wide excluding mirrors and 1,620mm tall, so do not mistake its sloping roof for compact proportions. The long 2,930mm wheelbase gives rear passengers excellent legroom and the flat floor makes it easier for a middle passenger to find somewhere to put their feet. Headroom remains good despite the fashionable shape, while the front seats have generous adjustment.

The 520-litre rear boot expands to 1,789 litres with the back seats folded and a 58-litre front compartment provides somewhere separate for charging cables. The broad rear seat, useful storage and easy access make this a convincing family car. The downside is its width: older car parks and narrow streets can require concentration, even with the cameras helping out. The Sealion 7 will carry four adults and their luggage with ease but it is not the car to buy if your parking space is already a squeeze.

There is plenty of active safety equipment, from autonomous emergency braking to lane assistance and blind-spot monitoring. The cabin also includes a broad collection of airbags and electronic stability controls. As with other highly connected cars, the calibration of alerts matters nearly as much as the number of features: some warnings are more persistent than they need to be. Familiarise yourself with the controls before a long journey.

BYD has deep experience building batteries and electric drivetrains and its lithium iron phosphate Blade battery is a significant part of the car’s engineering story. That does not automatically settle the question of decade-long reliability in British conditions. The manufacturer’s six-year vehicle warranty and separate eight-year battery cover offer welcome protection. Check the terms, service history and completion of software updates. Early cabin quality impressions are encouraging but longer ownership records will provide the more meaningful verdict.

The Sealion 7 makes premium electric SUVs feel a little uncomfortable about their prices. There is real substance behind the abundant equipment: space, performance and in Excellence form, impressively quick charging. Its considerable weight and mediocre efficiency prevent it becoming a class leader. But buyers who want a large, generously appointed electric SUV without paying for a familiar German badge should take it seriously.