Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM163,800 to the smart #5’s RM209,800, leaving RM46,000 in a Malaysian buyer’s pocket and RM235 less annual road tax. The smart answers with 358 hp, 590 km of range and 400 kW DC charging, against 228 hp, 520 km and 110 kW for the BYD, so it is the stronger long-distance proposition. Its 630-litre boot also beats 500 litres. But the BYD is 100 kg lighter, has a 2,930-mm wheelbase and carries a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty. Unless rapid charging and extra space are priorities, the Sealion 7 is the rational buy.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you want to save RM46,000, pay RM220 annual road tax and retain a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
Pick the smart #5 if 400 kW DC charging, a 590-km range, 630 litres of boot space and quicker 6.5-second acceleration justify the extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; smart #5 RM209,800.
- Motor output and 0-100 km/h: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp and 7.3 seconds; smart #5 358 hp and 6.5 seconds.
- Battery and range: BYD Sealion 7 71.8 kWh and 520 km; smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km.
- Charging: BYD Sealion 7 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC; smart #5 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC.
- Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; smart #5 630 litres.
- Vehicle warranty: BYD Sealion 7 six years/150,000 km; smart #5 four years/unlimited mileage.
Sealion 7
- RM46,000 cheaper with RM220 annual road tax.
- Six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
- Ventilated power-adjustable front seats.
- 110 kW DC charging trails the smart #5’s 400 kW maximum.
- 520 km range and 500-litre boot are lower than the smart #5’s 590 km and 630 litres.
- No auto parking; the smart #5 has it plus six front and six rear parking sensors.
#5
- 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging capability.
- 358 hp motor, 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 590-km range.
- 630-litre boot, sliding rear seats and powered boot with kick sensor.
- RM46,000 dearer and annual road tax is RM455 versus RM220.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is two years shorter than the BYD’s six-year cover.
- At 2,260 kg, it is 100 kg heavier than the Sealion 7.
| 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 |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag | 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.
Used Sealion 7 & #5 for sale
Sealion 7 vs #5 FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or smart #5 better?
The smart #5 is better for charging speed, range, acceleration and boot capacity. The Sealion 7 is the better-value choice, costing RM46,000 less while providing a longer six-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM46,000 more than the BYD Sealion 7. Its annual road tax is also RM235 higher.
Which EV charges faster?
The smart #5 charges faster on both current types: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, versus 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC for the BYD Sealion 7.