Ride Comfort Surpasses Curb Appeal

BYD's 'Sea Lion 7' Lands in Korea
Test Drive from Gangseo-gu, Seoul to Daebudo, Ansan - 100 km Journey

The exterior of the BYD 'Sea Lion 7' reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Following the BYD 'Seal', the 'Sea Lion' has now entered the Korean market. The mid-size electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) 'Sea Lion 7' is part of BYD's Ocean lineup, alongside the previously launched mid-size electric sedan 'Seal'. The exterior design is inspired by the curves of the sea, giving it a smooth appearance, but the Sea Lion 7 drives like a beast, which explains why it is often described as "more attractive the more you see it." The test drive route was approximately 100 km, starting in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and looping around to Daebudo, Ansan, and back.

Family EV with Spacious Interior Delivers Satisfaction

As soon as the door of the Sea Lion 7 was opened, the first reaction was, "Wow, it's spacious." In particular, the second row offers generous legroom and headroom, allowing even tall adults to sit comfortably for long periods. The wheelbase is 2,930 mm, about 100 mm longer than that of major domestic mid-size SUVs. The rear seats also feature a seatback reclining function that can be adjusted up to 20 degrees.

The trunk capacity of the BYD Sea Lion 7 is 500 liters, but it expands up to 1769 liters when the rear seats are folded down.

As the model targets the 'family EV' segment, the trunk space is ample, making it ideal for carrying 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 space. The trunk is notably deep, providing excellent storage capacity. According to BYD, the low center of gravity and flat floor maximize usable space.

Sitting in the driver's seat, the large instrument panel and infotainment system stand out, measuring 10.25 inches and 15.6 inches, respectively. The central infotainment system, which features a touch display, offers an intuitive tablet-like user interface, making operation easy. Music can be played through the built-in Spotify application, and YouTube can be watched while parked, further enhancing satisfaction.

However, since the physically pressable buttons have been minimized, caution is needed until you become familiar with the system. There was a time when I panicked after pressing the wrong button in an emergency situation while driving because the dashboard layout is different from that of a typical vehicle. For reference, the hazard light button is the physical button closest to the driver among the five buttons located below the line of sight.

Stable at High Speeds and in Corners... Minimal Electric Vehicle Sway

As the winter drive began, pressing the accelerator immediately revealed the powerful driving performance unique to electric vehicles. The car remained stable at high speeds and handled corners with confidence. The Sea Lion 7 delivers a maximum output of 313 horsepower and a peak torque of 38.7 kg.m. Its zero to 100 km/h acceleration time is 6.7 seconds.

Some may worry about motion sickness caused by the sway typical of electric vehicles. The Sea Lion 7 allows regenerative braking to be adjusted in two stages: 'Normal' and 'High'. When set to 'Normal', the ride is smooth with minimal sway. Even in 'High', the effect of regenerative braking does not feel excessive.

The vehicle is also equipped with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems. It issues warnings when the car deviates from its lane or gets too close to nearby vehicles. Sensors also provide audio-visual alerts if the driver is not paying attention, such as when closing their eyes or yawning frequently. The 'Surround View' system, utilizing 360-degree cameras, is especially helpful when navigating narrow alleys or parking.

The 'Sea Lion 7' delivers a maximum output of 313 horsepower and a peak torque of 38.7 kg.m. Its zero to 60 mph acceleration time is 6.7 seconds.

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: according to BYD, they help reduce the drag coefficient (Cd) to 0.28. The design was completed by a team led by Wolfgang Jager, who previously worked at Alfa Romeo, Audi, and Lamborghini.

The single-charge driving range is 398 km, according to Ministry of Environment certification standards. The vehicle is equipped with an 82.56 kWh BYD lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, which takes about 30 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%.

The 'Sea Lion 7' has a single charge driving range of 398 km according to the Ministry of Environment certification standards.

Excellent Value, Safety, and Battery Efficiency... A Car That Challenges Prejudice Against Chinese Brands

So, what about the price? One of the Sea Lion 7's main strengths is its value for money. After tax benefits, the sale price is 44.9 million won, and with the electric vehicle subsidy, the actual purchase price falls in 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), making the Sea Lion 7 several million won cheaper than domestic models.

The Sea Lion 7 scores highly across all categories, including price competitiveness, space, performance, safety, and battery efficiency. With its ample appeal, it is a model that can overcome negative perceptions of Chinese brands and be considered as a viable vehicle purchase option.