BYD Sealion 7 vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

VS
BYD Sealion 7
BYD Sealion 7

$46,990 - $68,888

2025 price

Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y

$58,900 - $89,400

2026 price

Summary

2025 BYD Sealion 7
2026 Tesla Model Y
Safety Rating

Electric motor type
Multi-Motor – Mixed Types
Electric motor type
Permanent Magnet
Vehicle type
Battery Electric
Vehicle type
Battery Electric
Electric range
456 km
Electric range
681 km
Energy consumption

14.6 kWh/100km
Battery capacity
82.56 kWh

82.00 kWh
Seating
5

6
Dislikes
  • Some tech gremlins still to sort out
  • Exterior design too similar to Porsche
  • Multimedia display houses all functions

  • Ride might be too firm for some
  • Compromised vision from driver's seat
  • Lack of Apple CarPlay a turn-off
2025 BYD Sealion 7 Summary

Looking across BYD's line-up, you'd think you were reading the attractions for the local aquarium! And now the Sealion 7 has entered the splash zone, or more accurately, the most popular car segment - the mid-size SUV.

It fights for pole position against the long-running electric favourite, the Tesla Model Y but newcomer Cupra Tavascan also offers some sporty competition.

For this review we're testing the flagship Performance grade to see whether or not it offers family-friendly fun.

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2026 Tesla Model Y Summary

This is the new Tesla Model Y L, of course, but before we even start I need to ask you a very important question.

How often, honestly, do you use all seven seats in your seven-seater? Or if you only have five seats, how often is there a human in every single one?

Rarely, if ever?

Yep, me too. So stick around, because this is, by far, the best family SUV seating layout. And one where there’ll finally be no fighting over who gets stuck with the dodgy seat.

And as a result, the six-seat Tesla Model Y L might just be among the best all-electric SUV offerings around.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 BYD Sealion 7 2026 Tesla Model Y

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