BYD Sealion 7 vs Tesla Model Y: Which Electric SUV Should I Get?

The Tesla Model Y was by far the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in the UK last year, with 35,899 registrations. Its closest competitor in the electric SUV segment was the Audi Q4 e-tron, which sold 16,757 units.

But now there’s a new rival in town. The BYD Sealion 7 is the latest EV to arrive in the UK from China and it’s already positioning itself as a serious contender.

In this article, we compare the Tesla Model Y with the BYD Sealion 7 across key categories to help you decide which electric car is the best fit for you.

Size & design

There’s little to separate these two SUVs in size. The BYD Sealion 7 is slightly longer at 4,830mm compared to the Model Y’s 4,750mm, while their width and height are nearly identical.

• Tesla Model Y: 4,750mm (L), 1,920mm (W), 1,624mm (H)
• BYD Sealion 7: 4,830mm (L), 1,925mm (W), 1,620mm (H)

Visually, the Model Y opts for simplicity, with smooth lines, flush door handles, and a curved glass roof. The Sealion 7, in contrast, has more aggressive styling with boomerang-shaped headlights, prominent air intakes, and rugged plastic cladding around the wheel arches. It’s bold where the Model Y is understated.

Interior & space

Inside, the Tesla Model Y embodies minimalism. It has no physical dials or buttons, relying almost entirely on its 15.4-inch central touchscreen. While sleek, the design may feel stark and take time to adapt to.

In contrast, the Sealion 7 strikes a balance between modern and practical. It pairs a 15.6-inch touchscreen with a digital driver display and a selection of physical buttons.

When it comes to space, both cars have loads of legroom in the back, enhanced by expansive glass roofs that flood the interior with light.

For cargo, Tesla claims an 854-litre boot (though this figure measures up to the roof instead of the window line) and a 117-litre frunk. The Sealion 7 has a 520-litre boot and a 58-litre frunk, less than Tesla but still practical for everyday use.

• Tesla Model Y: 854 litres (boot), 117 litres (frunk)
• BYD Sealion 7: 520 litres (boot), 58 litres (frunk)

Performance & spec

There are three Tesla Model Y variants to choose from. The entry-level Long Range RWD has 347bhp and a 5.9-second 0-62mph. The Long Range AWD has 384bhp and a 4.8-second 0-62mph. At the top of the line-up is the Performance which has 426bhp and a blistering 3.5-second 0-62mph.

In comparison, the BYD Sealion 7’s line-up is a bit slower. The entry-level Comfort RWD has 308bhp and a 6.7-second 0-62mph, while the Design AWD and Excellence AWD have 522bhp and a 4.5-second 0-62mph.

For outright speed, Tesla wins, but BYD’s top-end models are close behind.

Range & charging

The Tesla Model Y has the same 92kWh battery across its line-up. This gives the entry-level Long Range RWD the longest range at 373 miles, while the Long Range AWD gets 331 miles and the Performance gets 319 miles.

In comparison, the BYD Sealion 7 Comfort RWD and Design AWD variants come with an 82.5kWh battery for 298 miles and 282 miles of range respectively. At the top of the line-up, the Exellence AWD gets a 91.3kWh battery for 311 miles of range.

The entire Model Y line-up is capable of charging at 250kW speeds for a 0-80% top-up in just 25 minutes. Owning a Model Y also means you’ll have access to Tesla’s prestigious Supercharger network for convenient high-speed charging.

The Sealion 7, on the other hand, isn’t quite as rapid. The models with the 82.5kWh battery can only charge up to 150kW speeds while the Excellence AWD can reach 230kW for a 10-80% charge in just 24 minutes.

Features & tech

The Tesla Model Y’s tech-centric design places nearly all the controls on its 15.4-inch central touchscreen. While steering and mirror settings can be adjusted intuitively using thumb wheels on the steering wheel, basic functions like wipers or opening the glovebox require navigating menus, which can frustrate.

That said, Tesla’s infotainment system is among the best, with lightning-fast responsiveness, clear graphics and navigation that seamlessly integrates charging stops into your routes.

There are also Qi wireless charging pads and USB-C ports for your phones and devices. Despite lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Tesla’s system is so polished users won’t miss them.

The BYD Sealion 7 takes a slightly more conventional approach, featuring a unique 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with sharp visuals and straightforward functionality. While most controls are accessible, some, like seat heating, are buried in menus and require multiple steps.

There’s also a cooled high-speed wireless phone charger, multiple USB-C ports and an immersive 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system.

Unlike Tesla, the Sealion 7 supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing compatibility for smartphone users, while its native navigation system, paired with Google’s database, performs reliably. There’s also a 10.25-inch digital driver display and a head-up display on the Excellence models.

Price & value

The Tesla Model Y starts at £46,990 for the Long Range RWD, rising to £51,990 for the Long Range AWD and £59,990 for the Performance AWD.

In comparison, the BYD Sealion 7 offers a more competitive price, undercutting the Model Y by at least £2,000 across the range. The entry-level Comfort RWD starts at £44,990, the mid-range Design AWD is priced at £49,290, and the top-spec Excellence AWD comes in at £57,290.

Verdict

BYD’s rapid rise in the EV market, marked by the success of the Seal saloon and Dolphin hatchback, is no fluke. The Sealion 7 continues the Chinese brand's streak of delivering competitive electric vehicles, offering a fresh option for those looking to stand out from the crowd.

Comfortable, well-equipped, and delivering good all-around performance, the Sealion 7 holds its own against the tried-and-tested Model Y, even if a few areas could use a touch more refinement.

Tesla, meanwhile, remains the tech leader, renowned for its minimalist styling, unmatched charging infrastructure, and polished software experience. For those prioritising a high-tech, seamless EV ecosystem, the Model Y remains a top choice.

If you're not sold on either car, other alternatives in the electric SUV segment include the Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Cupra Tavascan, Peugeot E-3008 and Polestar 4.

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