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Electric
2025 BYD Sealion 7 electric SUV: price, specs, release date in Australia
Andrea Matthews
January 08, 2025
BYD Automotive is continuing its aggressive push into the new car market in Australia by taking aim at the Tesla Model Y with the introduction of its largest battery electric SUV to date, the BYD Sealion 7. From pricing to release date, here's what you need to know about the 2025 BYD Sealion 7.
BYD's ambition to become one of the biggest new car brands in Australia has recieved a further boost with the upcoming arrival of the BYD Sealion 7 in the top-selling medium SUV category. BYD's local importer EVDirect expects the Sealion 7 to become the brand’s best-selling vehicle locally when it goes on sale.
Joining the similarly-styled BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV, the Sealion 7 brings pure electric power and more boot space compared to the Sealion 6, plus stronger acceleration and unique electric car features to be compete against Australia's best-selling electric car, the Tesla Model Y.
Last year BYD introduced both the Sealion 6 PHEV SUV and BYD Shark 6 PHEV ute, joining the BYD Atto 3 SUV, BYD Seal and BYD Dolphin. The Chinese brand has recently announced cheaper versions of the Atto 3 and Dolphin to drive increased electric car sales.
The BYD Sealion 7 will be the brand's largest electric SUV when it arrives in February 2025
How much will the BYD Sealion 7 cost in Australia?
It is expected that two versions of the BYD Sealion 7 will be offered to Australian car buyers: an entry-level variant called Premium and a sportier Performance variant.
While the exact pricing of either variant is yet to be announced, the BYD Sealion 7 Premium has been confirmed with a starting price of under $60,000 plus on-road costs in Australia.
Promising increased space over the similar Sealion 6 due to its longer wheelbase, BYD says the Sealion 7 will also offer increased interior finish including premium quilted Nappa leather seats, soft vegan leather trim and a panoramic sunroof.
The BYD Sealion 7 will be available in Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey, Shark Grey and Aurora White colours.
When does the BYD Sealion 7 go on sale?
The BYD Sealion 7 is set to go on sale in Australia in mid-February 2025, with expressions of interest now open via the BYD website or dealers. Full specifications for both BYD Sealion 7 variants are expected to be announced closer to launch.
The BYD Sealion 7 will have a Nappa leather upholstery
What is the range of the new BYD Sealion 7 SUV?
While exact range details for each variant of the BYD Sealion 7 are yet to be released, BYD claims the Sealion 7 will have a range of more than 500 kilometres.
The BYD is powered by its proprietary Blade battery technology, however information on motor configurations and battery size for Australian cars is yet to be confirmed.
Underlining the credentials of the its new electric SUV, BYD says that the Sealion 7 Performance variant will accelerate to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
Is the BYD Sealion 7 a good alternative to the Tesla Model Y?
Just like the Tesla Model Y, the BYD Sealion 7 is a fully electric SUV which will sell in the popular medium SUV category. Both cars are almost line ball on exterior dimensions, although the BYD is slightly longer with a longer wheelbase.
Both the Telsa and BYD are spacious five-seaters, but the Model Y will likely have the edge on the Sealion 7 for luggage capacity thanks to its masterful packaging which includes a large 117-litre frunk which is big enough to hold a cabin bag.
With the BYD Sealion 7 confirmed with a launch price below $60,000 expect the range to line up squarely with the Tesla Model Y which is currently on sale from $55,900 to $82,900 plus on-road costs in Australia.
The arrival of the Sealion 7 is likely to put additional pressure on local Tesla sales of the country's best selling EV. Model Y deliveries declined from 28,709 in 2023 to 21,253 in 2024, reflecting both a softening in the Australian car market and electric vehicle sales, and increased competition from new brands.
An update to the Tesla Model Y featuring new styling and technology in line with the Model 3 sedan is expected to be unveiled in early 2025.
In 2023, BYD sold more new energy vehicles (EVs and hybrids), worldwide than Tesla. BYD vehicles are sold in Australia via EVDirect which is building a network of dealerships to support the company's sales ambitions.
Total sales for BYD reached 20,458 in Australia in 2024, a 64.5 per cent increase over the previous year. In addition, over 4000 initial orders taken for the BYD Shark 6 ute last year have yet to be fulfilled.
2024 BYD new car sales in Australia by model
BYD Dolphin - 2116
BYD Seal - 6393
BTD Atto 3 - 5751
BYD Sealion 6 - 6198
The BYD Sealion 7 is expected to be the brand's best-selling car in Australia.
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