In this morning’s historical news for Australian electric vehicle EV enthusiasts, the BYD Sealion 7 has been released with a very attractive pricetag and impressive specs, and is set to provide some serious competition to the long-time ruler of the SoMEV (small or medium-sized electric vehicle) market, the Tesla Model Y. Competitively priced, with a solid range and plenty of high-end kit, the Chinese-branded 7-Seater represents BYD’s most concerted effort yet to grab a slice of Australia’s burgeoning e-SUV market.
Pricing: You Will Win with This Low Price Bike!
BYD Sealion 7 lands in Australia with incredibly competitive pricing. The standard entry-level Premium version is priced from just $54,990 before on-road costs, with the increased performance dual-motor version at $63,990. That price also puts the Sealion 7 in a much better position than the Tesla Model Y, which is priced from $63,400 for the RWD and $73,400 for the Long Range AWD model.
According to Luke Todd of EV Direct, BYD’s distribution partner for Australia, “We’re known for high-quality, affordable luxury cars in this country, and the Sealion 7 will underline that – it’s there first premium luxury SUV.” This price tag not only presents a challenge to Tesla but also potentially pits the Sealion 7 against a raft of Chinese newcomers to the Australian market such as the XPeng G6, Deepal S07 and Leapmotor C10.
So This Stellana: Stunning Specs and Distances
Both the Sealion 7 S and Sealion 7 electric have an 82.56kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery. The base-model Premium is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor developing 230kW and 380Nm, taking it from 0-100 and 100km/h in 6.7 seconds. Making this even more impressive, it comes with a WLTP-certified range of 482km, which is just above the entry-level Tesla Model Y.
The ’Performance’ model then adds a second motor up front to bring total outputs to 390kW and 690Nm. It’s a dual-motor arrangement and, as you’d expect, this two-wheel drive set-up brings 0-100km/h acceleration down to 4.5 seconds at the expense of some range – here the WLTP-rated range is 456km. Both models feature 150kW DC fast charging and 11kW AC charging.
The Best of Features and Performance
The Sealion 7 isn’t missing any features despite that competitive price. In between there’s a 15.6-inch rotating central touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver display, and a head-up display – this handling one of the main complaints about the minimalistic single-screen approach favored by the Tesla Model Y.
Additional standard equipment is made up of all-LED lighting, a panoramic glass roof with shade, power tailgate, leather seats with ventilation and heating capabilities, a premium 12-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The car possesses vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities too, it means it can charge external equipment – something useful for outdoor pursuits or emergencies.
Safety is well covered with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors are standard.
Large enough to Accommodate Your Daily Necessities
The Sealion 7 is 4,830mm long, 1,925mm wide, 1,620mm high, has a 2,930mm wheelbase, and a spacious interior. The flat floor, used in most purpose-built EVs, means that there is maximum leg space for passengers, especially in the rear, where three adults can sit comfortably. Total boot space is 558 liters, made make up of 500 liters in the rear boot and a further 58 liters in the front storage area.
Ride quality Both Australian reviews have touched on the ride quality of the car and BYD have made adjustments to the chassis (following feedback from their first Australian testers) to better accommodate local road conditions. The 19-inch alloy wheels of the Premium model have been specifically lauded for its suspension compliance over the nastier hits of the Australian road network.
Australian Market Impact
BYD Australia is extremely excited about the Sealion 7. “Interest in the mid-size family SUV has been nothing short of incredible,” said EVDirect CEO David Smitherman. The Sealion 7 will be the third best-seller for BYD in Australia in 2025, we assume, with only the Shark ute and a hybrid Sealion 6 SUV ahead of it in the sales charts.
The Palisade arrives as the rate of growth in EV sales has cooled somewhat in Australia, but its price and array of features should help to win over buyers considering the switch to electric. Tesla’s Model Y has been the best-selling electric vehicle in Australia over the sales period after registering more than 21,000 units in 2024 – even dwarfing BYD’s best-selling Seal sedan at just over 6,300 units.
A Broader Electric Future
The Sealion 7’s entry into the market is just one of several moves currently underway in the Australian automotive space, with over a dozen new Chinese EV names having arrived in the country’s market this year alone. This raised competitive intensity is expected to be good for consumers in terms of better pricing and faster innovation.
BYD itself is in the midst of an aggressive growth phase, with the Sealion 7 joining the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal in its all-electric range, as well as hybrid models such as the Sealion 6 and Shark 6. With a growing suite of electric cars and competitive pricing, the brand is set to become a significant player in the burgeoning electric car market in Australia.
Looking Forward
The BYD Sealion 7 had been billed as the ‘Model Y Killer’; up to now, Tesla’s small to midsize SUV has faced little direct competition in Australia. Competitive pricing, strong performance details, and an extensive equipment list sees the CS35 replacement become an attractive option for Australian buyers in the mid-size electric SUV market.
“With the EV market in Australia gathering momentum, vehicles such as the Sealion 7 are making key inroads due to making EV technology more accessible to the average driver as well as tackling the main holdbacks Australians – including range and purchasing price. Whether it eventually manages to knock the Model Y off its perch, only time will tell, but its arrival heralds a new chapter in Australia’s EV narrative.