BYD Sealion 7 Performance review: BYD's next greatest hit offers excellent value, Lifestyle News
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year, you would probably know by now that BYD is currently Singapore's best-selling car brand.
Its success has been spurred in large part by the BYD Atto 3, a practical and uniquely-styled electric crossover that has won over plenty of consumers, thanks to its attractive price and generous features.
But for those who want a bit more, perhaps something bigger and more upmarket, BYD has now introduced the larger Sealion 7. And judging by the car's sales figures so far, it looks like they may have another huge success on their hands. What is the BYD Sealion 7?
The BYD Sealion 7 is a mid-sized electric crossover that's significantly larger than the Atto 3, but you only get a sense of its scale when you see it up close in person.
It measures 4,830mm long and 1,925mm wide, which is pretty sizeable even for mid-sized SUVs. It gives the car an imposing presence on the road, although its sleek styling, with its smooth and gentle curves, does soften things a tad.
It also tries to strike a sporty stance with its slightly sloping roofline, giving it a coupe-SUV profile. Certainly, it is a car that's hard to ignore, given its looks and proportions, but it's no less expected from BYD by now, given their penchant for offering cars that stand out from the crowd.
In case you're wondering about the name, the Sealion 7 is part of BYD's 'Ocean Series', which also includes the BYD Seal electric sedan and the BYD Dolphin compact electric hatchback, as well as two other models not sold in Singapore, the BYD Seagull small city car and the BYD Shark pickup truck.
The '7' in the name indicates the car's relative size in the BYD product lineup, as there is also a Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid model that's due to be launched in Singapore very soon, along with a smaller Sealion 5 crossover that's currently only available in China. What is the BYD Sealion 7 like?
Given its size, it's no surprise that the Sealion 7 offers plenty of space inside. The rear in particular is especially roomy, helped by the flat floor that results in lots of legroom for three passengers.
And despite the slightly lowered roofline, there is adequate headroom in the back, so it doesn't feel claustrophobic. That said, rearward visibility is not the best, and this is where the 360-degree camera comes in handy when parking.
The seats themselves are very comfortable as well, with its excellent bolstering that cushions you with soft padding, and the leather upholstery with its quilted design feels especially plush.
Otherwise, the general layout of the Sealion 7's cabin is typical BYD. It doesn't quite have the quirky flair of the BYD Atto 3, but more or less mirrors the minimalistic simplicity of the Seal.
That means you get the large 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be rotated to portrait orientation. There's a general lack of physical buttons, save for a couple of switches near the gear selector to adjust the drive modes and level of regenerative braking.
To its credit though, BYD has attempted to try to give the Sealion 7 an upmarket ambience, and this is reflected in the plentiful use of leather and suede-like materials throughout.
The digital driver instrument display is also nicely integrated into the dashboard, instead of looking like a standalone item, and that further accentuates the sense of premium thoughtfulness in the design.
As with most of BYD's cars, the Sealion 7 comes extremely well-equipped. There's a full suite of advanced driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and automotive emergency braking, to name a few.
There are also nice convenience features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats and a wireless smartphone charger, complete with small cooling vents at the bottom to keep your device's temperature down, which is quite a neat touch really. How does the BYD Sealion 7 drive?
BYD offers the Sealion 7 in two variants in Singapore. The entry-level model is the Premium, which has a single electric motor that produces 308hp and 380Nm of torque, and is good for a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 6.7 seconds.
The one tested here is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance, which comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that produces a combined total of 523hp and 690Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
Those are pretty staggering numbers for what is essentially a family SUV. While the car picks up speed rather rapidly when you put your foot down, it does so in a controlled fashion that doesn't feel too abrupt or disruptive.
Where the Sealion 7 really majors is in comfort. The ride quality is supple and plush, and it eases through bumps with minimal fuss. It is also exceptionally refined and quiet, even by electric car standards, and it makes the car extremely relaxing to drive.
Of course, something has to give, and given its size and bias towards refinement, the BYD Sealion 7 is not the most dynamic to drive around corners. It mostly handles itself well with plenty of stability, but the steering feels overly light and somewhat lifeless. It's mostly ok in everyday situations, but it's not a car to excite enthusiasts. Is the BYD Sealion 7 worth buying?
Given that BYD apparently received around 300 orders for the car when it was first announced at the Singapore Motorshow in January, there's clearly something about the Sealion 7 that resonates with many Singaporeans.
Aside from its obvious strengths as a practical and well-equipped electric SUV that offers plenty of space and refinement, the BYD Sealion 7 has arguably won many over with its extremely attractive pricing.
As of June 2025, the base BYD Sealion 7 Premium retails for $203,888 with COE, which is tremendous value considering the amount of car you're getting. Meanwhile, the BYD Sealion 7 Performance version featured here sells for $228,888 with COE, which is also incredibly reasonable as well.
BYD prides itself on offering what it calls high 'price-performance ratio', or in other words, great value for money. The BYD Sealion 7 truly epitomises that strategy, and it's not surprising that Singaporeans have taken the bait. After the Atto 3, the Sealion 7 looks set to be BYD's next greatest hit.
[[nid:712410]]
ben.chia@asiaone.com
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
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AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- AsiaOne
BYD Sealion 7 Performance review: BYD's next greatest hit offers excellent value, Lifestyle News
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year, you would probably know by now that BYD is currently Singapore's best-selling car brand. Its success has been spurred in large part by the BYD Atto 3, a practical and uniquely-styled electric crossover that has won over plenty of consumers, thanks to its attractive price and generous features. But for those who want a bit more, perhaps something bigger and more upmarket, BYD has now introduced the larger Sealion 7. And judging by the car's sales figures so far, it looks like they may have another huge success on their hands. What is the BYD Sealion 7? The BYD Sealion 7 is a mid-sized electric crossover that's significantly larger than the Atto 3, but you only get a sense of its scale when you see it up close in person. It measures 4,830mm long and 1,925mm wide, which is pretty sizeable even for mid-sized SUVs. It gives the car an imposing presence on the road, although its sleek styling, with its smooth and gentle curves, does soften things a tad. It also tries to strike a sporty stance with its slightly sloping roofline, giving it a coupe-SUV profile. Certainly, it is a car that's hard to ignore, given its looks and proportions, but it's no less expected from BYD by now, given their penchant for offering cars that stand out from the crowd. In case you're wondering about the name, the Sealion 7 is part of BYD's 'Ocean Series', which also includes the BYD Seal electric sedan and the BYD Dolphin compact electric hatchback, as well as two other models not sold in Singapore, the BYD Seagull small city car and the BYD Shark pickup truck. The '7' in the name indicates the car's relative size in the BYD product lineup, as there is also a Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid model that's due to be launched in Singapore very soon, along with a smaller Sealion 5 crossover that's currently only available in China. What is the BYD Sealion 7 like? Given its size, it's no surprise that the Sealion 7 offers plenty of space inside. The rear in particular is especially roomy, helped by the flat floor that results in lots of legroom for three passengers. And despite the slightly lowered roofline, there is adequate headroom in the back, so it doesn't feel claustrophobic. That said, rearward visibility is not the best, and this is where the 360-degree camera comes in handy when parking. The seats themselves are very comfortable as well, with its excellent bolstering that cushions you with soft padding, and the leather upholstery with its quilted design feels especially plush. Otherwise, the general layout of the Sealion 7's cabin is typical BYD. It doesn't quite have the quirky flair of the BYD Atto 3, but more or less mirrors the minimalistic simplicity of the Seal. That means you get the large 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be rotated to portrait orientation. There's a general lack of physical buttons, save for a couple of switches near the gear selector to adjust the drive modes and level of regenerative braking. To its credit though, BYD has attempted to try to give the Sealion 7 an upmarket ambience, and this is reflected in the plentiful use of leather and suede-like materials throughout. The digital driver instrument display is also nicely integrated into the dashboard, instead of looking like a standalone item, and that further accentuates the sense of premium thoughtfulness in the design. As with most of BYD's cars, the Sealion 7 comes extremely well-equipped. There's a full suite of advanced driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and automotive emergency braking, to name a few. There are also nice convenience features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats and a wireless smartphone charger, complete with small cooling vents at the bottom to keep your device's temperature down, which is quite a neat touch really. How does the BYD Sealion 7 drive? BYD offers the Sealion 7 in two variants in Singapore. The entry-level model is the Premium, which has a single electric motor that produces 308hp and 380Nm of torque, and is good for a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 6.7 seconds. The one tested here is the BYD Sealion 7 Performance, which comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that produces a combined total of 523hp and 690Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Those are pretty staggering numbers for what is essentially a family SUV. While the car picks up speed rather rapidly when you put your foot down, it does so in a controlled fashion that doesn't feel too abrupt or disruptive. Where the Sealion 7 really majors is in comfort. The ride quality is supple and plush, and it eases through bumps with minimal fuss. It is also exceptionally refined and quiet, even by electric car standards, and it makes the car extremely relaxing to drive. Of course, something has to give, and given its size and bias towards refinement, the BYD Sealion 7 is not the most dynamic to drive around corners. It mostly handles itself well with plenty of stability, but the steering feels overly light and somewhat lifeless. It's mostly ok in everyday situations, but it's not a car to excite enthusiasts. Is the BYD Sealion 7 worth buying? Given that BYD apparently received around 300 orders for the car when it was first announced at the Singapore Motorshow in January, there's clearly something about the Sealion 7 that resonates with many Singaporeans. Aside from its obvious strengths as a practical and well-equipped electric SUV that offers plenty of space and refinement, the BYD Sealion 7 has arguably won many over with its extremely attractive pricing. As of June 2025, the base BYD Sealion 7 Premium retails for $203,888 with COE, which is tremendous value considering the amount of car you're getting. Meanwhile, the BYD Sealion 7 Performance version featured here sells for $228,888 with COE, which is also incredibly reasonable as well. BYD prides itself on offering what it calls high 'price-performance ratio', or in other words, great value for money. The BYD Sealion 7 truly epitomises that strategy, and it's not surprising that Singaporeans have taken the bait. After the Atto 3, the Sealion 7 looks set to be BYD's next greatest hit. [[nid:712410]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
Business Times
9 hours ago
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Hong Kong's sixfold jump in share sales drives boom year in Asia
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong's having a banner year as it marches towards becoming the second-largest market globally for share sales for the first time since 2012. Proceeds from listings and additional share sales in the Asian financial hub in the first half have reached about US$33 billion, poised for a sixfold jump from a year ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Offerings from electric carmakers BYD and Xiaomi raised the most, followed by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL), which had the world's biggest new listing this year. Investors have brushed aside tariffs and geopolitical concerns as deals flooded in Hong Kong – including three of the four biggest stock offerings in the world in 2025. Equity strategists remain upbeat about local stocks after the Hang Seng became one of the world's best-performing indexes this year. And with the throng of companies lining up with billion-dollar offerings, it's shaping up to be a good year for investment bankers in the city. 'We're seeing a lot more comfort from global investors around the global and regional macro picture, which is leading them to reassess and increase their exposure to the region including to Hong Kong and mainland China,' said Sunil Dhupelia, co-head of Asia Pacific ECM at JPMorgan Chase. 'Assuming that markets remain stable, it's likely to be very busy in the second half of the year.' Chinese companies that already have shares trading in Shenzhen or Shanghai have been flocking to Hong Kong for additional listings. Those so-called A-H deals accounted for about three-quarters of Hong Kong's total proceeds of US$13.4 billion from first-time share sales in 2025, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The biggest one was the US$5.2 billion offering by battery-giant CATL, which forged ahead with its Hong Kong listing in May despite being caught up in US-China tensions. The high-profile deal's success shows industry leaders are still able to find global buyers even in an unfavorable environment. Hong Kong listing proceeds are poised to double to a four-year high of more than US$22 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Big deals to look forward to later this year include those of electric carmaker Seres Group, heavy-machinery maker Sany Heavy Industry and pig breeder Muyuan Foods. Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is so fired up about the surge in business that it's parading the iconic gong used to introduce new listings in an unprecedented two-week public tour via a 'gongmobile'. Hong Kong is leading share sales overall in all of Asia-Pacific, where first-half proceeds have climbed almost 30 per cent to about US$100 billion in 2025, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In India, which led the region in share sales last year, total proceeds stand at about US$20 billion, on track for a drop of more than 20 per cent in the first half, after a stock-market rout led to a slow start. Despite underperforming regional peers, the benchmark Nifty 50 Index has rallied as of late and is on track to post its best quarterly gain in more than a year. That optimism is spilling over to deals, with HDB Financial Services' US$1.5 billion initial public offering (IPO), and Tata Capital's soon-to-come US$2 billion IPO. Elsewhere, the US$4 billion chunk of Japan Post Bank Co sold by its parent and JX Advanced Metals' IPO helped share sale proceeds in Japan rise to US$13.7 billion, on course for a 30 per cent increase, though the pace of deals slowed during the second quarter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In South Korea, the recent presidential election ended of months of leadership vacuum, revitalising the Kospi and making it one of the region's best-performing indexes. That's encouraging more companies to pursue listings, such as Baby Shark-creator Pinkfong, the company behind the most watched YouTube video of all time. While geopolitical tensions are bound to continue to complicate decisions for corporate issuers and investors for months to come, Asia is on track to cap a great year of deals. 'We don't expect issuance activity to be slowing,' said Rob Chan, head of Asia ECM syndicate at Citigroup. 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Straits Times
a day ago
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Torque Shop: The difference between four-wheel and all-wheel drives
The Denza Z9 GT has three electric motors to power all four wheels. PHOTO: BYD Do the terms 'four-wheel drive' and 'all-wheel drive' have the same meaning? And what is front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive? Logically, four-wheel drive (4WD) describes any four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that sends torque and power to all four wheels. Technically, so does the term all-wheel drive (AWD). The main reason for conventional cars to have such a system is to get better traction. However, there are some who argue that AWD is reserved for describing drivetrains that permanently power all four wheels, and, for this reason, differs from 4WD, which could be primarily two-wheel drive (2WD) with selectable or automatic 4WD. Before the confusion deepens, here is what the different vehicle drivetrains are all about. A 2WD car has only two of its wheels powered by the engine. It could be the front or rear wheels. In either configuration, there is no possibility of the other two wheels being driven, as there is no power transmission component to facilitate it. There are two categories of 4WD systems. The more common type is found mostly in passenger cars and often referred to as 'part-time 4WD', because the drivetrain is designed to transmit torque to only one axle – the front or the rear. B ut it is still able to divert torque to the otherwise non-driven pair. This occurs mostly on slippery roads, when the driven pair begins to lose traction and spin. The system then switches from 2WD t o 4WD. In most such drivetrains, the torque transfer to the second pair of wheels occurs via some form of electronically controlled or mechanical slip-induced multi-plate clutch arrangement. Torque transfer takes place automatically when skidding or wheel spin is detected. In the other version of 4WD, torque is constantly transmitted to all four wheels. Under normal driving conditions, torque split between the front and rear axles is usually 50:50 . A centre differential, a device that could be mechanical or electronic, c an effectively vary torque split continuously to optimise traction. Some 4WD passenger cars are designed to be rear-biased, but are still able to vary the split to achieve front bias and get as much as 70 per cent of the drive, for example. Hybridisation in vehicles, where an electric motor is combined with an internal combustion engine, has introduced yet another variation of the 4WD. On the Lexus RX350h, for example, the petrol engine, aided by an electric motor, drives the front wheels, while a second electric motor mounted at the rear provides power to the back wheels only. There are also mid-engine cars like the BMW i8, where the rear wheels are powered by the internal combustion engine and the front wheels by an electric motor. Such arrangements do not require mechanical power transmission assemblies to transmit torque from the engine to the second pair of wheels, because the battery-powered electric motors function independently. They are controlled by a sophisticated high-voltage power-control module. These cars are 2WD under most road conditions, while the motor-driven wheels assist in situations where more grip and traction are necessary, as well as to boost total power when quicker acceleration is demanded. For a fully electric vehicle (EV), having a motor to power each of the two axles enables it to be 4WD. Some EVs, such as the Denza Z9 GT, even have three motors – usually one at the front and two at the back – to achieve 4WD. While there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles of EVs, the central power control module apportions torque more precisely than on 4WDs in conventional engine-powered cars and petrol-hybrid cars. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
