PROS ›› Fast, trendy design, aggressive pricing CONS ›› Harsh journey, restricted cargo, gimmicky options
Whereas the likes of Tesla can sleep simply within the US, largely insulated from the surge of Chinese language EVs sweeping by means of world markets, the state of affairs appears very totally different abroad. In locations like Malaysia, the place we’re at the moment experiencing the BYD lineup firsthand, the aggressive panorama is much extra intense.
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You’re in all probability already conscious that manufacturers like BYD have moved shortly to market with smaller and extra inexpensive electrical automobiles. What’s changing into clearer, nevertheless, is that additionally they appear to have a solution for practically each class Tesla occupies.
Take the Sealion 7. In East Asia, it’s a mid dimension electrical SUV that carries the Ocean Sequence legacy right into a extra premium section. Out there in each rear wheel drive and all wheel drive Efficiency variants, the Sealion 7 brings BYD’s e Platform 3.0 Evo, Blade Battery, and its so known as Ocean Aesthetics design language into a really succesful package deal.
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Or, if we strip away the brochure language, it might merely signify the following main headache for the Tesla Mannequin Y.
However with the EV market at its best, and BYD not alone in its export ambitions, the true query is whether or not the Sealion 7 can go toe to toe not simply with Tesla, however with the rising wave of Chinese language rivals additionally establishing themselves overseas.
Sealion? Ocean Aesthetics? What Does Any Of That Imply?
Pictures Sam D. Smith / Carscoops
Okay, it’s a bit complicated, however let’s attempt to break it down: BYD has a number of strains. For the home market, it has fashions underneath the Dynasty strains, after which you’ve gotten the Ocean collection, which, because the title implies, takes aquatic styling cues with sea-creature-based names. Seagull, Dolphin, and sure, Sealion. There are a number of Sealions as properly, with the 5 being a Honda HR-V-sized competitor that’s additionally accessible with a hybrid drivetrain, and the Sealion 6 being a bigger SUV within the vein of the Nissan Rogue.
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The Sealion 7 is extra akin to the Audi Q8, a extra trendy method for individuals who care about such issues. And whereas the entrance finish may be very a lot BYD, in the truth that it’s a tad nameless however inoffensive, the rear finish has truly grown on me.
Moderately than making an attempt to make a daring, however frankly pointless assertion by being objectionably coupe-like (I’m you, Porsche Cayenne Coupe and BMW X6), it’s a extra cohesive, maybe egg-like, form. Once more, it’s not revolutionary, however neither is it totally different for the sake of being totally different both. It’s streamlined and extra put-together in its execution, avoiding the awkward proportions that so many different “sporty” SUVs appear to cling to.
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Pictures Sam D. Smith / Carscoops
Effectively, rear-seat passengers don’t should sacrifice an excessive amount of when it comes to headroom, which is a plus. Nonetheless, after a number of airport runs, it was quickly clear that boot house, or fairly the form of it, shouldn’t be the Sealion 7’s sturdy swimsuit.
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That rounded-off rear does look good, however in relation to getting it to shut when stuffed to the brim, you’re going to have to finish up taking part in some suitcase tetris…or, in our case, transferring some baggage to the passenger compartment as a substitute.
Pictures Sam D. Smith / Carscoops
It’s a typical tradeoff: appears on the expense of practicality. But it surely’s additionally price noting should you’re making an attempt to determine between the extra typical Sealion 6 or the Sealion 7. Plus, it’s not all type over substance. There are some good practical options too, resembling correct air curtains within the entrance bumper, which assist with airflow across the wheels.
It’s Nonetheless A Chinese language Automobile, Proper? How Trendy Can It Be?
You’d be stunned. Sure, there are nonetheless a good few (how ought to we put this?) “impressed” designs all through the Chinese language market, with the Land Rover Defender and Vary Rover seemingly being probably the most imitated. The Sealion 7, although, appears to be chopping its personal mould in lots of respects.
It’s the inside that basically shines. In contrast to the Atto 3 we examined earlier, this can be a rather more “typical” setup. The inside high quality feels premium, with soft-touch plastics in all places, whereas the structure gained’t have you ever scratching your head.
It nonetheless lacks bodily AC controls, besides there’s a button to show the fan on and off. Not fan pace. Not temperature. Simply on and off. Why?
Now, having spent a while with BYD merchandise, I’m going to label the rotating display screen as gimmicky. At 15.6 inches, it’s massive sufficient for something you’d need, and the {hardware} is beefy sufficient for the system to be tremendous snappy and responsive. Nonetheless, should you do use wi-fi CarPlay or Android Auto, as 90 p.c of customers will, the display screen will drive you to make use of it in its panorama orientation. Go determine.
Pictures Sam D. Smith / Carscoops
Nonetheless, there’s some nice integration with the super-legible driver’s show and head-up show, the latter of which helps turn-by-turn navigation when utilizing Google Maps. Each screens additionally do a superb job of displaying data for the lane-keep help and cruise management capabilities, that are noticeably much less intrusive than earlier makes an attempt from BYD.
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The electrical seats characteristic lumbar and adjustable under-thigh help, serving to these chairs really feel supportive, however not overly bolstered. The entrance seats are additionally ventilated, with as much as three speeds of cooled air channeled to fight any trace of again sweat.
If you wish to see extra of the skin, there’s a full-length panoramic roof with an electrically managed sunshade, and there are bodily switches for drive modes and regen.
So, How Does It Drive?
In a single sentence, it feels mature, however nonetheless not as polished as I’d have hoped. BYD could have had a number of missteps prior to now, however their premium product choices are beginning to really feel nearer to the semi-premium picture they’re chasing in the best way they drive.
The Efficiency AWD mannequin we received to the keys to packs a dual-motor setup for AWD, producing 390kW (523 hp) and 690 Nm of torque. To get from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) you want simply 4.5 seconds. That’s sooner than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S, all whereas providing an built-in battery, quick charging as much as 230 kW, and having the ability to high up from 10-80 p.c in round 24 minutes.
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Whereas figures are all properly and good, there’s correct substance if you’re behind the wheel. Whereas a correct fanatic could desire a faster ratio rack, the Sealion 7’s steering is properly weighted, and does an honest job of offering the type of suggestions that you just want with 500+ hp underneath your proper foot.
The automobile additionally handles higher than anticipated. There’s a development for Chinese language SUVs to be a bit over-damped, with the following wallow which means that true confidence can’t be discovered. However the Sealion 7’s chassis not solely feels dynamic by means of a set of fast corners, it additionally stays planted, extra sedan-like than you might anticipate.
There’s one big penalty, although, skilled whereas driving on Malaysia’s roads. Over greater, sooner imperfections, resembling enlargement joints, the journey feels virtually crashy. It’s the one chink on this BYD’s armor that might in any other case have satisfied us that the Germans themselves had tuned this suspension. However alas, there’s nonetheless a scarcity of composure there.
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However at slower speeds, and over smaller humps, the Sealion 7 maintains a well-damped composure that you just’d anticipate from one thing upmarket, and that’s regardless of using on 19-inch rims. Additionally of notice is that the Efficiency model of the Sealion 7 comes outfitted with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, once more, one other signal that BYD is taking this section of SUV significantly, fairly than cheaping out on lesser-known rubber, as has been seen prior to now.
You additionally get a number of drive modes, and so they behave just about as anticipated. Nonetheless, regardless of providing selectable “regular” and “bigger” regenerative braking settings, there’s nonetheless no correct one-pedal driving mode. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it surely does really feel like one thing future variations of the Sealion ought to embrace if it’s going to go head-to-head with Tesla
Verdict
For the Malaysian market, the Sealion 07 is available in at RM 183,800 (equal to $25,900 a present charges) for the Premium mannequin, or RM 199,800 ($28,100) for the AWD Efficiency. The latter undercuts Tesla’s Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD (RM 242,450) considerably, which is slower (0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds vs 4.5 seconds for the BYD), and has much less vary on the WLTP cycle.
However with extra aggressive entries deliberate for East Asia, together with the likes of Chery and Changan, the Sealion 7 is about to return up in opposition to robust competitors. It highlights the fast-moving tempo of the EV trade, significantly spurred on by the Chinese language automakers who’re eager to search out market share exterior of their residence taking part in area.
Pictures Sam D. Smith / Carscoops
