Juniper
Sealion 7 Performance AWD
By Dr Long SP
BYD, the top new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer in the world. Intriguingly, it has been drawing a lot of flak lately domestically, at loggerhead with MITI over its meaningful existence in Malaysia. Specifically, with regards to BYD’s CKD plans and assembly plant, which are stillborn. In addition, its CBU affordable lower-and-middle range is at risk of being decimated in the near future. Think Atto 2, Atto 3, M6, Seal 6 EV and possibly Seal sedans as well.
The BEV SUV likely to survive this debacle is the BYD Sealion 7, not before being forced a price hike to an estimated RM300k, from its current (CBU) list prices of RM183,300 to RM199,800. Yes, this is the flagship premium, high-performance electric SUV from BYD Malaysia available in two guises: Premium RWD and Performance AWD. Denza, BYD’s luxury sub-brand, is yet to offer a premium high-performance SUV in Malaysia.
The Sealion 7 Performance AWD exudes a premium edgy look at the front, rounded at the rear, complemented with softer curves along with countless soft touch surfaces on the inside. It has definitely got road presence with its wide stance, wide tracks and also huge 20-inch alloys shod with decidedly high performance 245/45/R20 Michelin Pilot Sport EV rubbers. Grippy donuts with chunky blocks of treads – though a bit noisy – with stiff sidewall flexing very little when cornering hard. Along with an electronic torque-vectoring gadgetry named Intelligence Torque Adaptation Control (iTAC) summoned, you will be hard pressed to find the Sealion 7 AWD flustered into and out of corners. The amount of sure-footed traction experienced is unbelievable for a heavy BEV of about 2.3 tonnes. Meanwhile, ride comfort is good, with acres of space both front and back in the cabin complementing cruising comfort.
However, its steering could be a little quicker, in the hope of improving agility. Steering wheel design could be a little more sporty, less-limo like, of three-spokes perhaps?. Dashboard is less flamboyant (read: curvy and wavy) than the other Ocean series siblings like the Atto 3 and Seal, which is much welcomed.
In my years of sampling Chinese vehicles, I have experienced that they all offer good highway cruising stability under 120 km/h i.e. national speed limit with 10% grace allowance factored-in or OE speedometer’ 10% over-reading by default. The Sealion 7 Performance is no exception. Only should you decide to push higher velocity, then you will experience the glaring lack of body control on choppy road surfaces versus legacy-branded Continentals. Definitely, its Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) suspension is tuned for softer ride comfort.
All is not lost though, even without the latest Disus-C (as in the facelift Seal) the Sealion 7 Performance is more well sorted than the pre-facelift Seal.
Standstill to 100 km/h is dispatched in just 4.5 seconds with a mature calibration of the throttle linearity. Nary a violent or stomach-churning lurch, even when driven in Sports mode. Maximum output of 530ps and 690Nm of torque being handled reasonably well by its rigid Cell-to-Body (CTB) chassis, thick double wishbones up front and solid multilinks at the rear axle.
NEDC range indicated by BYD electric vehicles is one that’s quite unreliable, more so in their twin motor models. In the Sealion 7 Performance AWD, the indicated 532km needed two “tankful” of electrons to achieve the claimed distance. Factually, the BYD Sealion 7 Performance is very high on electricity consumption at 19.9 kWh/100km at best, to a worst of 24.5 kWh/100km.
BYD Sealion Premium RWD offers marginally better frugality at 17.9 to 19.5 kWh/100km though.
Both Sealion 7 RWD and AWDBYD Sealion 7 Performance readily accept 11kW AC home charging, a rarity in all other BYD cars in Malaysia (7kW single-phase charging). For outstation trips, it is capable of 150 kW DC fast charging, rendering 10% to 80% top-up in about 30 minutes.
With vertical integration in BYD’ manufacturing, every infotainment screen is no less inferior in any of the lower rung BYD models. The 15.6” rotating screen is a little gimmicky but It is nicely hooked up to a 12-speakers DYNAUDIO sound system – delivering clear, immersive and reasonably punchy sound. Not the best in business but adequately pampering our soul and mood.
Braking power in the Sealion 7 is very commendable – the best among all the BYD vehicles. Despite being put in a HIGH regen braking setting, the ride is still calm and comfortable.
In summary, the BYD Sealion 7 Performance is quite compelling in Malaysia’s BEV premium segment with its stomping performance at a competitive price. It is an attractive choice for those who love their ICE SUVs and are looking to make the switch to fully electric.
Logically though, the lesser variant Sealion 7 RWD is the one to pick, since it isn’t daily that you’d want that 4.5 seconds century sprint. The Sealion Premium’s 6.7 seconds is good enough while both come equipped with similar 82.56 kWh Blade (LFP) battery packs.
Above all, the RWD Sealion 7 Premium feels more agile, smoother and quieter on the run. It is also easier to drive with a more fluid, sweeter handling. Perhaps the OE Continental EcoContact 6 staggered sizes of 235/50/R19 front and 255/45/R19 rear affording some wonderful road-holding trickery here. Both Sealion 7 AWD and RWD are similarly specced to the brim, with the one with single-motor (RWD) being more forgiving (less range anxiety) more so should you decide to drive in a more spirited manner.
Kuala Lumpur-based Dr. Long See Pin is a certified car enthusiast who has previously spent some two decades testing and writing about new cars. He is currently motoring correspondent at Junipers Journal and can be found online @drlongspcars on Insta, FB and TikTok.
He was also a former member of the Malaysia Car of the Year (COTY) judging panel. As a medical doctor, he specialises in skin & aesthetics @drlongskinclinic.com
