Tesla Model Y vs byd Sealion 7: Has BYD already exceeded Tesla?
Since the Fourth quarter 2023Byd has already reached 100 % electric car sales higher than Tesla in different quarters, intermittently. The first quarter of 2025 even marked a significant sales gap to the advantage of the Chinese brand, which pushes some analysts to imagine byd to become the first manufacturer of 100 % electric cars in the world in the year 2025. It must be said that Tesla crosses a difficult pass because of the controversies surrounding Elon Musk, its CEO and first shareholder.
Byd, who was despised by Elon Musk about fifteen years ago, offers today highly competitive cars, the very admission of the boss of Tesla (Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: X). The Chinese brand’s electric cars are indeed sold at very attractive prices in China and now on other markets, notably because byd produces its own LFP batteries, which also equip other models including some Tesla.
However, on the European market, the prices charged by Byd are much less aggressive. This is explained on the one hand because the electric cars produced in China now suffer from enhanced customs duties and that they do not have access to the ecological bonus in France, but also because the strategy of Byd on the old continent does not seem to be to break the market.
As a result, byd Sealion 7, competitor of Tesla Model Y, is sold in France more expensive than its main rival, while it is 30 % more accessible in China. Admittedly, Byd also offers the least expensive SEAL U, also comparable to Model Y, but it is older and we therefore retained for this most recent offensive duel towards Tesla de Byd.
Tesla Model Y prices:
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Propulsion | 44,990 € excluding bonuses |
| Great autonomy propulsion | € 46,990 excluding bonuses |
| Great autonomy all -wheel drive | € 52,990 |
Prices of the byd Sealion 7:
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Comfort | € 46,990 |
| Design AWD | € 51,990 |
| Excellence AWD | € 56,490 |
The models we have tried are both in high -end version. They are thus equipped with two engines and the largest battery offered in their respective catalog. Note however that, if the two ranges are similar, their intermediate version does not follow the same logic. While the Tesla Model offers an intermediate version in propulsion and large battery, the intermediate model of the byd Sealion 7 offers its smallest battery in AWD version with two engines, which seems less interesting for most customers.
3000 € separate the price of the two high -end models that we have on the test, to the advantage of Model Y. Note, however, that Tesla does not practice any discretion, which can bring the final price of the two models closer. It remains to be seen whether, at the price to which it is sold in France, the byd Sealion 7 can actually shade the unbeatable Tesla Model Y.
A Sealion 7 that is full of sight
Those who criticize Tesla Model y an insipid style can be seduced by the byd Sealion 7, which is inspired, as its name suggests, of the maritime world. Its curves contrast with the minimalism of Model Y and its line is more collected, to the point of not really looking like an SUV. The Sealion 7 is also slightly longer (4.83 m against 4.79 m).
Inside, the observation is similar. If the Tesla Model has made significant progress in terms of quality of finish from its restyling, the byd Sealion 7 cabin remains more valuing to the eye, especially with a fairly worked Nappa leather upholstery specific to this excellence version.
The model does not deserve it, but its minimalism can again put off certain buyers. This desire to simplify its interior as much as possible also has an impact on the ergonomics of Model Y. We note a lack of physical controls which would have been very practical for certain functions, such as the adjustment of the volume, that of the exterior mirrors, or the opening of the glove box.
The Sealion 7 is a little more consensual on this point, with more physical orders grouped together in the central console and the steering wheel. However, it is also necessary to go through the touch screen to find the whole of the ventilation settings, for example.
Our two rivals offer an important space to their rear passengers, barely larger on the side of Sealion 7.
The trunk, on the other hand, seems to the advantage of Model Y. Unfortunately, Tesla does not communicate on the volume under tablet of its model, but it seems even more generous than the 520 L of the Sealion 7.
The volume of the front trunk (fruit) is as important on board the Tesla Model Y (116 L) than by the byd Sealion 7 (58 L), but remains in both cases sufficient to store its charging cables, for example.
Different technological approaches
As for on -board technology, the two models are richly equipped. The central screen of the model is 15.4 inch diagonal, against 15.6 inches on the side of Sealion 7, i.e. dimensions that are not or prow. However, the byd model is distinguished with the possibility of switching the screen in a vertical position, via a motorized mechanism. In use, we nevertheless found little interest in this function.
The Tesla interface is more reactive and generally more successful. She knows how to stay easy to use while being extremely complete. Navigating the interface of the Sealion 7 is a little more rough, with in particular some bugs and translation errors.
The Tesla are not compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Their interface certainly has some musical streaming applications, among others, but it is therefore impossible to display Waze on the central screen, for example.
At BYD, if an application catalog is natively offered, there is still the possibility of replying your smartphone via Android Auto and Apple Carplay in wireless mode. This more open approach will undoubtedly appeal to more users.
The same goes for the instrumentation of the two models. While the Sealion 7 has a 10.25 inch screen behind its steering wheel, quite classic, the model is content to display the information related to driving on the left part of its central screen, further from the driver’s gaze. The Sealion 7 also has a head-up display in Excellence finish, absent from the catalog of Model Y.
The byd Sealion 7 has a screen dedicated to instrumentation. © Numériques
For the rest, the equipment of the two models is similar and a plethoric level. As standard, there is for example a steering wheel and heated front and rear seats, as well as ventilated front seats. However, the model is distinguished with a second induction charger, a Dashcam function with sentinel mode and an 8 -inch screen dedicated to rear passengers. The latter allows you to read streaming content, play games, or even control ventilation, rear seats heating and the electrical settings of the front passenger seat when unused.
From its restyling, the Tesla Model has been equipped with a screen dedicated to rear passengers. © Numériques
On the road, Tesla’s advance is still very real
At the wheel, the Tesla Model has improved there since its restyling, mainly with much better comfort than before. From now on, he no longer has to be ashamed against the byd Sealion 7 on this point which was formerly lacking.
Dynamic behavior remains much better in Tesla than by byd. The model is surprisingly pleasant to drive, with direct and precise direction. The Sealion 7, conversely, is penalized by an imperfect driving position, a very high mass (2435 kg in working order) and especially significant body movements. He wallowed in turns and easily survives acceleration, testifying to a dynamic behavior much less rigorous than Model Y. In quiet driving, this family SUV knows how to be pleasant to handle.
On the performance side, these high -end versions each display a 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 s, with a very slight advance on the side of the Sealion 7.
Energy recovery is perfectly managed at Tesla and allows in particular to select a mode going as far as stopping at simple footing. This is not the case aboard the Sealion 7, which only offers two adjustments of regeneration intensities at the sunrise and which imposes a crawling.
Finally, the two models are not the most comfortable in town, but the Tesla Model is even less so than the Byd Sealion 7. It is wider (1.982 m against 1, 925 m out of all) and less short (12.13 m against 11.7 m in diameter between sidewalks).
Very different driving aids
As for driving aids, our rivals of the day follow very different approaches. Tesla has indeed deleted all the sensors other than cameras from its cars. The model is therefore devoid of the ultrasonic sensors of Sealion 7 and its radar. We appreciate the approach of Byd (and other manufacturers) more, which allows you to benefit from aid in precise parking. That of the Model puts less confidence and Tesla’s SUV, despite its many cameras, does not offer a 360 ° view.
As for autonomous driving, we prefer that of Tesla. The brand’s autopilot certainly makes us pester when it deactivates at the slightest human intervention, but it has the merit of having one of the most successful software development, if not the best. Conversely, the autonomous driving system of the byd Sealion 7 quickly told us about its limits, with a centering in the track which clearly leaves something to be desired.
A Sealion 7 that takes care (and discharges) faster
While the Tesla Model is equipped there in a large autonomy version of a NMC battery, the Sealion 7 retains an LFP chemistry even with its largest battery and this despite a higher capacity. Its battery reaches 91.3 kWh of total capacity, or about fifteen kilowatts-hour more than the model of Model Y, whose exact capacity is not communicated.
However, the mixed WLTP autonomy of Model Y (586 km) is greater than that of Sealion 7 (502 km) in the tested versions. Indeed, the very well mastered consumption of the model is far from equal to the Sealion 7, much more energy -consuming. At 130 km/h, the model consumes for example 21 kWh/100 km against 29 kWh/100 km for Sealion 7.
Thanks to its 800 V architecture, the byd Sealion 7 Excellence AWD quickly charges its high capacity battery. © Numériques
On the recharging side, it is on paper the byd Sealion 7 which takes the advantage, thanks to the 800 V architecture of its excellence AWD version. It allows him to go from 10 to 80 % load in 24 min, against approximately 5 min more for the Tesla Model Y. However, although the Sealion 7 is loaded faster, its higher consumption earns it a autonomy returned by minute of load similar to that of Model Y.
Conclusion: Byd has the means to shake Tesla, but not at these prices
If the byd Sealion 7 did not seem to us as successful as the Tesla Model Y, especially on the dynamic and software levels, or even in terms of efficiency, it remains a serious rival. Whether by political consideration or to avoid certain technological choices of Tesla, the Sealion 7 is far from a bad choice. The fact remains that it is difficult to understand its tariff positioning on the European market, with higher prices than those of its main rival.
