Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: which electric SUV is best?

The Tesla Model Y has long been the obvious choice for buyers looking for an electric SUV. It’s hugely spacious, packed with tech and reasonable value for money, but now BYD has launched an alternative

It’s called the Sealion 7, and on paper both cars seem equally matched. It costs around the same as the Tesla, offers up to 312 miles of range and it’s very well-equipped. But should you buy this Chinese electric SUV? Let’s find out.

Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: design

If style is an important factor for you when buying a car, the BYD Sealion 7 is off to a strong start. It borrows design cues from the Seal saloon and the Seal U SUV, meaning you get sleek C-shaped headlights and a pointy front end. It looks pretty sleek from the side as well thanks to the sloping roofline, and the roof spoiler adds a sporty flavour.

The Model Y on the other hand looks a bit more anonymous. Granted, a facelift in 2024 made it look more modern with slim new headlights and a revised rear light bar, but it still looks a bit awkward thanks to the blobby proportions. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but most who behold these two cars would agree that the BYD is more stylish.

Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: interior and infotainment

It’s when you step inside that these cars become harder to choose between, and the decision is likely to come down to personal preference.

Starting with the Model Y, it has a very minimalist cabin with almost no buttons. It feels a bit like an unfurnished apartment in here, with just a giant TV propped against the wall and a comfy armchair. It does look pretty futuristic, but the lack of any real features may not appeal to all.

The BYD Sealion 7 on the other hand has a more interesting-looking dashboard design. There are multiple layers to it, and the swoopy lines make it feel a bit more special. We’re not sure why BYD appears to have fitted the steering wheel from a bus though.

Material quality is strong in both cars. The Model Y’s recent update brings some posher-feeling materials and a more solid feeling than the outgoing car, and it now feels more befitting of its £45,000 price tag.

As for the BYD, at first glance everything seems to be hunky dory. There’s plenty of leather and soft-touch plastics around the place, but you don’t have to dig too deep to find some materials that perhaps aren’t up-to-scratch for a car at this price. The Tesla feels like a more premium product inside.

So what about infotainment? Well the Tesla gets a 15.4-inch portrait screen as standard, and it’s excellent to use. The menus are all really easy to navigate, and the graphics are clear and responsive. There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android auto here though, nor do you get a driver’s display. You have to look at the centre screen to see your speed.

In the Sealion you do get smartphone mirroring, as well as a digital driver’s display. The centre screen measures 15.6-inches, and it’s just as zippy as the Tesla’s. It also has a unique party piece – it can rotate at the touch of a button from landscape to portrait. A funky gimmick, but we’re not sure how useful it is in reality.

Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: space and practicality

In terms of practicality, both cars are spacious but it’s still a clear win for the Tesla Model Y.

It has an 854-litre boot, compared to the Sealion 7’s 520 litres, and the Tesla has a much larger front boot as well. There’s not much between the two in terms of rear passenger space though, with both offering good amounts of head and legroom.

The Tesla has a lot of interior storage as well, with a massive cubby under the centre armrest and good-sized door bins. If practicality is important to you, buy the Tesla.

Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: motors, performance and range

This is where the Tesla starts to edge ahead, because it can go much further on a charge than the BYD Sealion 7.

In its Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive configuration, the Tesla Model Y gets a claimed 387 miles of range, compared to 312 miles in the BYD. With the Model Y you also get access to Tesla’s excellent Supercharger network, which makes topping up on the go really easy.

Both of these cars are offered with both single and dual-motor options, however the BYD has the edge on speed – for now. It’s offered with a 530hp setup which does 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. The fastest Model Y you can get at the moment does 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, but there is likely to be a Performance version along at a later date which will be even faster.

Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7: which should you buy?

The BYD Sealion 7 is a perfectly acceptable electric SUV, but there’s nothing hugely revolutionary about it. You get loads of kit and a decent amount of space, but it’s slightly more expensive than the Tesla and offers less range and less space.

The BYD Sealion 7 starts from £46,990, making it exactly £2,000 more expensive than the Tesla Model Y. With Carwow savings you can bring this down to £45,600 at the time of writing, but that’s still more than the Tesla.

It’s for this reason that the Tesla Model Y wins this test. The updates in 2024 brought huge improvements in tech and interior quality, making this car a much more enticing proposition.

The car you should actually buy: Kia EV6

However, that’s not the end of the story. Because if you have around £45,000 to spend on an electric SUV then the Kia EV6 is the one you should buy.

It looks fantastic, has a lovely interior and it’s great to drive. The boot may not be the largest in this class, and the Tesla Model Y has a bit more range, but the Kia offers super-fast charging, with 10-80% achievable in under 20 minutes. The BYD will have 12 minutes more to do the same.

You also get an excellent seven-year warranty with the EV6, and with Carwow savings you can get one for just under £40,000, making it around £5,000 cheaper than both the Tesla and the BYD.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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