BYD Sealion 7 vs Subaru Crosstrek
Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 is the quicker, roomier and cheaper car here: RM183,800 plays RM190,788, with 308 hp against the Subaru Crosstrek’s 154 hp and a 500-litre boot versus 315 litres. It is also much larger, stretching 4,830 mm long on a 2,930 mm wheelbase. The Crosstrek counters with petrol convenience, a 1,995 cc engine, CVT and a 63-litre tank, while still giving you all-wheel drive. For most urban Malaysian buyers who can charge, the BYD’s numbers hit harder.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you want EV running, much stronger 308 hp performance, a 567 km rated range and the bigger 500-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want a petrol SUV with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre tank and a smaller body that is easier to place.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM183,800; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788
- Power: BYD Sealion 7 308 hp; Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp
- Energy source: BYD Sealion 7 82.5 kWh battery; Subaru Crosstrek 1,995 cc petrol engine with 63-litre tank
- Size: BYD Sealion 7 4,830 mm long and 1,925 mm wide; Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 mm long and 1,800 mm wide
- Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres
- Warranty and road tax: BYD Sealion 7 6 years and RM335; Subaru Crosstrek 5 years and RM438
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 183,800✓ | RM 190,788 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,995 cc |
| Power | 308 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | — | 196 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.7 s | — |
| Top speed | 215 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 82.5 kWh | — |
| EV range | 567 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Boot space | 500 L✓ | 315 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9✓ | 8 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 335✓ | RM 438 |
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.
Sealion 7
- Far stronger 308 hp output
- 567 km EV range from an 82.5 kWh battery
- Bigger 500-litre boot
- Larger 4,830 mm by 1,925 mm footprint
- Needs charging rather than a 63-litre petrol tank
- Torque figure not listed
Crosstrek
- Petrol convenience with a 63-litre tank
- All-wheel drive, like the BYD
- More compact 4,480 mm length
- 154 hp is half the BYD’s output
- 315-litre boot is much smaller
- Costs RM6,988 more before running costs
Sealion 7 vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The BYD Sealion 7 is better on the numbers: it costs less, has 308 hp versus 154 hp, a 500-litre boot versus 315 litres and a longer 6-year warranty. Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if petrol refuelling matters more than EV performance and space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek costs RM190,788, while the BYD Sealion 7 costs RM183,800. That makes the Subaru RM6,988 more expensive before looking at road tax, where the BYD is also lower at RM335 versus RM438 per year.
Which SUV has more space?
The BYD Sealion 7 is larger and has the bigger boot: 4,830 mm long with 500 litres of luggage space. The Subaru Crosstrek is 4,480 mm long and has 315 litres, so it is easier to park but less roomy.