[Tabolleo] BYD Sea Lion 7 Flaunts Value for Money: Can It Overcome Prejudice Against Chinese Cars?

Test Drive of the BYD Sea Lion 7
Priced in the Low 40 Million Won Range, 0-100 km/h in 6.7 Seconds
Spacious Interior with a 2,930 mm Wheelbase

Following the arrival of the BYD Seal, the BYD Sea Lion has now landed in the Korean market. The mid-size electric SUV, Sea Lion 7, joins BYD’s Ocean lineup alongside the previously released mid-size electric sedan, Seal. Its exterior, inspired by the curves of the ocean, is sleek and smooth, yet the Sea Lion 7 drives with the power and agility of a beast. After taking it for a spin, it became clear why many say, "The more you see it, the more attractive it becomes." The test drive covered a round-trip route of about 100 kilometers, starting from Gangseo-gu, Seoul, to Daebudo, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.

Opening the door of the Sea Lion 7, the first reaction was, "Wow, it's spacious." In particular, the rear seat legroom and headroom are generous, allowing even tall adults to sit comfortably for extended periods. The wheelbase measures 2,930 millimeters, about 100 millimeters longer than most major mid-size SUVs in Korea. The rear seats are also equipped with a seatback reclining function, adjustable up to 20 degrees.

As the vehicle targets the 'family EV' title, the trunk space is ample, making it ideal for carrying travel luggage or camping gear. The trunk has a capacity of 500 liters, which expands to 1,769 liters when the rear seats are folded down. The front trunk under the hood also offers 58 liters of storage. Notably, the trunk is deep, providing excellent storage capacity. BYD explains that they achieved this by lowering the center of gravity and creating a flat floor to maximize space.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, the large instrument panel and infotainment system immediately stood out, measuring 10.25 inches and 15.6 inches, respectively. The central infotainment display, a touchscreen, features an intuitive user interface similar to a tablet, making it easy to operate. Music can be played through the built-in Spotify application, and YouTube can be watched while parked, further enhancing satisfaction.

However, as the number of physical buttons has been minimized, it is necessary to pay attention until you become familiar with the system. For example, in situations where you need to quickly activate the hazard lights while driving, the dashboard layout differs from typical vehicles, which can lead to confusion. For reference, the hazard light is the closest of the five physical buttons located below the driver's line of sight.

When it was time to embark on a proper winter drive, pressing the accelerator revealed the powerful driving performance unique to electric vehicles, responding instantly to every input. The vehicle maintained stability at high speeds and handled corners with firmness. The Sea Lion 7 delivers a maximum output of 313 horsepower and a peak torque of 38.7 kg.m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

Some may worry about motion sickness due to the typical jolting of electric vehicles. The Sea Lion 7 allows you to adjust regenerative braking in two stages: 'Normal' and 'High.' When set to 'Normal,' the ride is smooth without any jolting. Even on 'High,' the effect of regenerative braking does not feel excessive.

The vehicle is also equipped with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems. In addition to warning signals when departing from a lane or when the distance to surrounding vehicles becomes too close, sensors provide visual and auditory alerts if the driver closes their eyes or yawns frequently, indicating a lack of attention. The 360-degree surround view camera system is particularly useful when navigating narrow alleys or parking.

The exterior design is reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The roof wing and rear spoiler on the back of the vehicle add a sophisticated touch. These features are also practical-BYD claims they help lower the drag coefficient (Cd) to 0.28. The design was completed by a team led by Wolfgang Egger, who has experience at Alfa Romeo, Audi, and Lamborghini.

The certified range on a single charge is 398 kilometers, according to the Ministry of Environment. The vehicle is equipped with an 82.56 kWh BYD lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery. Charging from 20% to 80% takes about 30 minutes.

So, what about the price? The Sea Lion 7 is often praised for its value for money. After tax benefits, the sale price is 44.9 million won, and with additional EV subsidies, the actual purchase price drops to the low 40 million won range. For comparison, the Kia EV5, a similar mid-size SUV, starts at 48.55 million won (Air Long Range), meaning the Sea Lion 7 can be purchased for several million won less than domestic models.

The Sea Lion 7 scores highly across all categories, from price competitiveness and space to performance, safety, and battery efficiency. With its ample appeal, it is a model worth considering as a purchase option, overcoming any negative perceptions about Chinese brands.