BYD Sealion 7 Owner Review: Swapping 16 Years of Jaguar for BYD’s Electric SUV (Mr Stuart)
As a devoted Jaguar owner for the past 16 years, I was forced to look elsewhere when Jaguar temporarily stopped making cars. I initially intended to buy a Tesla Model Y, but the test drive did not go well; the lack of comfort and quality was very noticeable. Instead, I test drove the BYD Sealion 7 and absolutely loved it. The quality and comfort were a significant step up, which ultimately led me to purchase this electric SUV as my very first EV.
Specifications and Performance
I drive a 2026 BYD Sealion, specifically the Sealion 7 Design specification. My specific model comes packed with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that produces an impressive 530 bhp (390 kW). It features an 82.5 kWh useable battery capacity and boasts a blistering 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 4.5 seconds. The acceleration is genuinely amazing, and the automatic parking brake works perfectly. Ultimately, it drives much like an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, only better. It is incredibly easy to drive and exceptionally comfortable on the road.
Real-World Range and Charging
I have owned the car for under a year and currently have between 1,000 and 5,000 miles on the clock. My estimated annual mileage will sit around 5,000 to 10,000 miles. So far, the battery is performing flawlessly, with the charging range matching what it was when brand new. From an 80% charge, I achieve a very respectable average range of 283 miles.
I charge the car exclusively at home using a Hypervolt charging unit and do not use public charging networks at all. My home setup is paired with the Intelligent Octopus Flux energy tariff, which works fine, though I would love for the system to support Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) operation. Currently, the BYD Sealion 7 supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) at up to 3.3 kW, but it does not support bidirectional V2G via AC or DC.
Interior Tech and Daily Usability
There are plenty of standout tech features, but my favourite ‘best-kept secret’ is the seat memory function: the driver’s seat automatically slides back when you open the door to exit and moves forward again when you re-enter, which makes daily life just a little bit better. This is made possible by the 8-way electric adjustment system with position memory. Now that the colder weather has arrived, having a standard heat pump alongside the ability to pre-heat the cabin, steering wheel, and seats before leaving the house is fantastic.
If I had to point out a negative, it would be the heavy reliance on the 15.6-inch electrically rotatable touchscreen. While it doesn’t house quite as many features as the Tesla interface, there are still too many controls buried in the screen for my liking; I would much prefer traditional physical buttons or knobs for the main controls. Aside from this minor frustration, I have experienced absolutely no issues or faults with the car.
Running Costs and Verdict
The daily running costs of this EV are negligible, which is a huge positive. However, the savings are slightly offset by dearer insurance premiums—handled through AA insurance—and the extra UK road tax required for vehicles priced over £50,000.
Overall, the BYD Sealion 7 has been a fantastic introduction to EV ownership. That said, if I were to trade in my keys tomorrow, the upcoming Denza would be at the top of my radar, as its promised range and comfort look great.
