2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance review (video)

The BYD Sealion 7 sits in the sweet spot of the Australian market at the moment, where electric SUVs are quickly shifting from niche to mainstream, partly due to record-high petrol prices.

Going with the Performance variant provides strong outputs and a claimed 0–100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, while pricing undercuts many similarly-specced EVs. It’s no wonder it is becoming one of the most popular vehicles in Australia.

According to VFACTS, BYD delivered 2498 Sealion 7 models in Australia in the first two months of 2026. It is the brand’s most popular model, just outselling the Shark 6 which posted 2166 deliveries in the same period. Its biggest rival is the very popular Tesla Model Y (3079 sales).

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Specifications

Electrical: 86.2kWh Blade battery
Output: 390kW / 690Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×8.0, 245/45
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2340kg
Power-to-weight: 6.0:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (NEDC/WLTP): 456km/520km

Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/150kW
0-60km/h: 2.32 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.36 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.81 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.85 seconds at 174.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.955g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.22m in 3.02 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.444g*
Starting price: $63,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: How much does it cost?

Priced from just $63,990 (excluding on-roads), this thing is an absolute bargain. Not many rivals on the market right now exceed or match this for outright power and performance, features, and space, for the price.

For example, Volvo just slashed prices on its similarly-powerful EX30 Cross Country, to exactly $63,990. However, this is much bigger. Just as an example. The very similar Tesla Model Y Performance starts from $89,400, although it is superior in terms of driving dynamics in our opinion.

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Interior & packaging

Visually, it leans into that four-door coupe SUV theme that’s become increasingly popular, giving it a sportier stance than traditionally-shaped rivals. It’s a design that feels contemporary without being overly fussy, and importantly, it stands out just enough in a crowded EV landscape.

Inside, the Sealion 7 presents as a spacious and well thought-out cabin, with a clear focus on practicality. There’s ample room for passengers front and rear, and the packaging benefits from the dedicated EV platform, giving it a flat floor and a more open feel than many combustion-based SUVs. Even though the rear roofline slopes down it doesn’t seem to impede on rear headroom much, especially once you’re in.

There’s a generous rear boot, measuring 500 litres, and there’s a 58L front boot (something not all EVs in this segment manage to offer). It adds an extra layer of usability, especially good for storing charging cables or smaller items.

The cabin is heavily tech-focused, centred around a large rotating 15.6-inch touch-screen. Yes, rotating. You can choose between portrait or landscape style at the touch of a button. We experienced an odd phenomenon during our test drive, where hard cornering caused the screen to rotate by itself, adding a layer of witchcraft mystery (see video below).

Physical buttons are minimal, which won’t suit everyone, but the screen itself is intuitive and logical once you spend some time with it. There’s a wide range of customisation and settings available, and some main menu options for quicker jump-to capability. The screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the top-spec Performance adds a Dynaudio 12-speaker stereo.

Other highlights include head-up display, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic glass roof. It’s the kind of spec list that would have been reserved for significantly more expensive vehicles not too long ago.

There has to be special mention of the awesome moulded floor mats fitted to this test vehicle. With carbon-fibre-style texture and lipped edges, these are the best floor mats we’ve seen in a while. Easy to clean and they catch all mess, including liquids.

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Powertrain & handling

With dual motors producing up to 390kW and 690Nm, the Performance variant delivers the kind of instant acceleration that has become a defining trait of high-performance EVs. We tested 0-100km/h in 4.36 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.85 seconds at 174.8km/h. Compared with its nearest rivals, this is both powerful and very quick for its price.

Energy comes from an 82.6kWh Blade battery, offering a full-charge range of 456km on WLTP cycle, or 542km on the NEDC cycle. What’s the difference? The WLTP cycle runs for 30 minutes while the NEDC test is only 20 minutes. The WLTP cycle has been designed to better replicate real-world expectations.

At 456km it doesn’t set the standards for the class, with some rivals such as the Tesla Model Y Performance offering a WLTP range of 580km. However, 456km should be enough for most users to get by for the weekday runs.

Max charging is 150kW using a DC outlet, which, again, is not at the class benchmark for charging speeds, with max AC charging capped at 11kW. Some rivals, such as the new Subaru Solterra, offer 22kW AC charging for those with three-phase power at home.

Out on the road, it obviously feels properly quick. Throttle response is immediate, and the surge of acceleration is both smooth and relentless. It’s the sort of performance that makes everyday driving feel effortless, whether merging onto a freeway or overtaking.

Equally important is how it puts that power down. The all-wheel drive system manages torque distribution effectively, maintaining strong traction even under heavy throttle right at the apex of a corner. The decision to fit quality Michelin Pilot Sport tyres as standard is a welcome one, and it shows BYD is serious when it comes to its fastest models.

That said, there’s some room for improvement. The suspension setup is generally composed, but a touch more tuning, particularly for Australian road conditions, could further improve body control and wheel movement on rugged country roads. It’s not a major drawback, but it’s noticeable when pushing on or encountering rougher sections of road. Some rivals do a bit better in this regard.

This also features an even width front and rear tyre package while some use a more dynamic staggered width, with fatter rear tyres for ultimate grip. It’s fine for a regular model, but for a serious performance version like this some might expect finer attention to detail. As a side note, speaking about absolute performance, this weighs 2340kg. Some rivals are lighter, such as the Tesla Y Performance, weigh just 2033kg.

Overall, it’s an easy car to drive and effortlessly powerful. The ride and handling seems to be balanced for a wide spectrum of conditions and demands, albeit not as sharp or precise at the pointy end of performance driving capabilities than some. We also like the relaxed cabin layout that helps to reduce clutter and stress while driving.

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Performance: Strong acceleration with immediate, effortless response
• Practical interior: It’s spacious and open, with decent storage inside with a front and rear boot
• Value: Priced from around $64k MLP, it is one of the best value options in this space in terms of size, performance, and features.

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Key considerations before you buy

• Lack of physical controls: Yes, it’s all smart and good to show off big screens, but a heavy reliance on touch-screen controls won’t suit all users as it can be very distracting in our opinion.
• Driving dynamics: Although very good, at this calibre of performance you might expect outstanding control. Some rivals do better in this area. This is very heavy for its class as well, which doesn’t help.
• Local footprint: BYD is growing by the minute, but it is still a young brand in Australia which could result in slow parts and warranty support.

2026 BYD Sealion 7 Performance: Video