Verdict
At RM163,800, the BYD Sealion 7 costs RM46,000 less than the RM209,800 smart #5 and saves RM235 a year in road tax. Its 520-km range, 110-kW DC charging and 500-litre boot are adequate, but the #5’s 590 km, 400-kW charging and 630 litres make a real difference on longer Malaysian trips. The smart is quicker too, reaching 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The BYD answers with nine airbags and a six-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
The #5 Brabus (RM259,800) sits above every Sealion 7 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you want the lower upfront and annual cost, plus nine airbags and a longer manufacturer warranty.
Pick the smart #5 if you prioritise 400-kW DC charging, 590 km of range, a 630-litre boot and stronger acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; smart #5 RM209,800.
- Road tax: BYD Sealion 7 RM220 per year; smart #5 RM455 per year.
- Battery and range: BYD Sealion 7 71.8 kWh and 520 km; smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km.
- Electrical architecture and DC charging: BYD Sealion 7 400V and 110 kW; smart #5 800V and 400 kW.
- Motor output and 0-100 km/h: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp and 7.3 seconds; smart #5 358 hp and 6.5 seconds.
- Boot space and airbags: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres and nine airbags; smart #5 630 litres and six airbags.
Sealion 7
- Nine airbags versus six
- Six-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty
- 100 kg lighter at 2,160 kg
- 110-kW DC charging versus 400 kW
- 520-km range and 500-litre boot versus 590 km and 630 litres
- 228 hp and 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 358 hp and 6.5 seconds
#5
- 400-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging
- 590-km range from a 100-kWh battery
- 630-litre boot and 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM46,000 higher purchase price and RM455 annual road tax
- Six airbags versus the Sealion 7's nine
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus six years
What the #5 has over the Sealion 7
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the #5: 630 litres against 500.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800✓ | RM209,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM455 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,670/mo✓ | RM2,140/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,507✓ | RM5,703 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,227✓ | RM1,506 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.13✓ | RM7.53 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,768✓ | RM38,319 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 10.3 hours | 4.5 hours✓ |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 45 min | 20 min✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 228 hp | 358 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 373 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh | 100 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 520 km | 590 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 400 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | 2,260 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 630 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag) | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Sealion 7 & #5 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BYD Sealion 7
Sealion 7 vs #5 FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or smart #5 better?
The smart #5 is the stronger long-distance EV, with 590 km of range, 400-kW DC charging and a 630-litre boot. The BYD Sealion 7 is the better cost-led choice, while also bringing nine airbags and a longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM46,000 more than the BYD Sealion 7. Its annual road tax is also RM455, compared with RM220 for the BYD.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #5 charges far faster on paper: 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC, against the BYD Sealion 7's 110 kW DC and 7 kW AC. Its 800V architecture is also a step up from the BYD's 400V system.
How long does charging take?
The Sealion 7's 71.8 kWh battery takes about 10.3 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 45 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 110 kW peak. The #5's 100.0 kWh battery takes about 4.5 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 kW peak.