Verdict
At RM163,800, the Sealion 7 costs RM14,800 more than the Model 3, yet Tesla gives 534 km against 520 km, a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time and 170 kW DC charging. The BYD counters with its 1,620 mm SUV body, 2,930 mm wheelbase, nine airbags, ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and head-up display. Its 500-litre boot trails Tesla’s 594 litres. For Malaysian buyers, this is a choice between SUV practicality and equipment, or stronger charging and performance.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you want the taller SUV body, nine airbags, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and a head-up display.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want to spend RM14,800 less for quicker acceleration, slightly longer range and faster AC and DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Performance: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp, 380 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; Tesla Model 3 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Battery and range: BYD Sealion 7 71.8 kWh and 520 km; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh and 534 km.
- Charging: BYD Sealion 7 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC; Tesla Model 3 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC.
- Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Body height: BYD Sealion 7 SUV at 1,620 mm; Tesla Model 3 sedan at 1,441 mm.
Sealion 7
- Taller five-door SUV body with a 2,930 mm wheelbase.
- Nine airbags, plus a 360-degree camera and head-up display.
- Ventilated front seats, panoramic roof shade and 3.3 kW V2L.
- RM14,800 pricier.
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.2 seconds.
- Lower 520 km range and slower 7 kW AC/110 kW DC charging.
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
- 534 km range from a 62.5 kWh battery.
- 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging, with a 594-litre boot.
- Seven airbags versus the Sealion 7's nine.
- No head-up display, front or rear parking sensors, or 360-degree camera.
- No ventilated front seats or panoramic roof shade.
What the Sealion 7 has over the Model 3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model 3 is 164 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model 3: 594 litres against 500.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM280 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,670/mo | RM1,520/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,507 | RM4,122✓ |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,227 | RM1,040✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.13 | RM5.20✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,768 | RM27,209✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 10.3 hours | 5.7 hours✓ |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 45 min | 25 min✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 228 hp | 279 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh✓ | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | 520 km | 534 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 170 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | — |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| 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) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| 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 to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers, Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| 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/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BYD Sealion 7
Tesla Model 3
Sealion 7 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger value choice: it is RM14,800 cheaper, faster, has 14 km more range and charges faster. Choose the BYD Sealion 7 instead for its taller SUV body, extra airbags and richer parking and cabin equipment.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM14,800 more than the Tesla Model 3.
Which one charges faster?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on both inputs, rated at 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC versus the Sealion 7’s 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC.
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 Model 3's 62.5 kWh battery takes about 5.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The Sealion 7 carries a 6-year manufacturer warranty against 4 years for the Model 3. Sealion 7: 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty. Model 3: 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance).