Verdict
At RM163,800, the BYD Sealion 7 costs RM4,900 more than the Jimny, but brings a 71.8-kWh battery, 520-km EV range and 110-kW DC charging. It is also the practical choice for five people: its 500-litre boot dwarfs the Jimny’s 85 litres. The trade-off is size and mass, at 4,830 mm long and 2,160 kg. The Suzuki is far shorter, 725 kg lighter and has all-wheel drive with low range, but seats four and relies on a 100-hp petrol engine with a 4AT.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you need five seats, a 500-litre boot and 520 km of electric range with 110-kW DC charging.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if you want a 3,480-mm-long SUV with all-wheel drive, low range and a full-size spare wheel.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900.
- Powertrain: BYD Sealion 7 one 228-hp, 380-Nm motor; Suzuki Jimny 1,462-cc 100-hp, 130-Nm petrol engine.
- Driveline: BYD Sealion 7 rear-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny all-wheel drive with part-time four-wheel drive and low range.
- Size and weight: BYD Sealion 7 is 4,830 mm long and 2,160 kg; Suzuki Jimny is 3,480 mm long and 1,435 kg.
- Seating and boot space: BYD Sealion 7 has five seats and 500 litres; Suzuki Jimny has four seats and 85 litres.
- Energy use: BYD Sealion 7 has a 71.8-kWh battery and 520-km range; Suzuki Jimny uses petrol at 6.8 L/100 km.
Sealion 7
- 520-km EV range and 110-kW DC charging
- Five seats and a 500-litre boot
- Six airbags, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the Jimny’s all-wheel drive with low range
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size alloy spare wheel
- Much longer and 725 kg heavier
Jimny
- All-wheel drive with low range
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare wheel
- 3,480-mm length and 1,435-kg weight
- Four seats and an 85-litre boot
- Two airbags, with no blind-spot information system or autonomous braking
- 100 hp and 130 Nm versus the Sealion 7’s 228 hp and 380 Nm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800 | RM158,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 100 hp |
| Torque | — | 130 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 228 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 4AT |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 154 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 3,480 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,250 mm |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | 1,435 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 85 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 3 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit 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 & Jimny for sale
Sealion 7 vs Jimny FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Suzuki Jimny better?
The Sealion 7 is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats, a 500-litre boot and 520-km electric range. The Jimny is the better fit if all-wheel drive, low range, compact dimensions and a full-size spare matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM4,900 more than the Suzuki Jimny.
Which one has more safety equipment?
The Sealion 7 has more active and passive safety equipment, including seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot information and a 360-degree camera. The Jimny has driver and passenger airbags, stability control, collision warning and hill descent control.