New BYD Ti7 SUV a step closer to Australia after it was confirmed for the UK as tough-looking plug-in hybrid alternative to the 2026 Toyota Kluger and Prado

BYD’s big rival to the Toyota Prado is another step closer to Australia with the hybrid SUV hitting showrooms in the United Kingdom before the end of this year.

A large, rugged, seven-seater SUV is one of the final pieces in BYD’s Australian plan and with the arrival of the Ti7 (or Titanium 7 as it’s also known) in fellow right-hand drive market the UK this year, plus BYD has trademarked the Ti7 name in Australia, we won’t be waiting too long it seems.

UK models often give an accurate insight into what we can expect here ahead of their arrival and the Ti7 that’ll soon be on the streets of Britain shouldn't be much different to the one that will be here on the streets of Brisbane.

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What will definitely stay the same are the vehicle's dimensions. The UK spec vehicle is 5146mm long, 1995mm wide and 1865mm tall.

Two electric motors - one positioned on the front axle and the other at the rear - provide all-wheel drive and are supported by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

Quicker than any Toyota Prado ever the Ti7 can sprint from 0-100mm/h in a staggering 4.8 seconds.

A 35.6kWh battery offers up to 127km of pure electric driving range.

BYD Ti7 (Image: Autohome)

While the only variant arriving in the UK is expected to be a plug-in hybrid, a fully electric version of the Ti7 with flash charging is sold in China.

Australia is likely to get the PHEV version, given the popularity of similar models such as the large BYD Sealion 8 SUV.

The Sealion 8 is a large seven seat SUV with a very smiler PHEV powertrain and so it’ll be interesting to see if the Ti7 will arrive wearing a BYD badge or a Denza one.

BYD Ti7 (Image: Autohome)

Denza models in Australia are sourced form its Denza premium range and Fangchengbao adventure brand in China.

The Ti7 falls under the Fangchengbao brand in China, as do the B5 and B8 sold by Denza in Australia, but reports state BYD will claim the new rugged looking SUV for its own.

A BYD spokesperson explained to UK outlet Autocar this was because the Ti7 doesn' share the B5 and B8's rugged ladder frame underpinnings. This means the Ti7 won't be suited to off-roading and will be a road focused family SUV with tough looks.