Verdict
The RM34,200 cheaper BYD Sealion 7 makes the stronger case for range-led ownership, with a 71.8 kWh battery and 520 km claimed range against the Tesla Model Y’s 60 kWh and 466 km. It also carries a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty. The Model Y counters with 295 hp, a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging, plus an 854-litre boot. Pick the Tesla if faster charging, pace and luggage capacity matter more; pick the BYD for lower outlay and longer stated range.
The Model Y L Premium (RM263,000) 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 520 km claimed range, a 71.8 kWh battery and a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty for less money.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you need the quicker 5.9-second sprint, 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging, and its much larger 854-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- Motor output and 0-100 km/h: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp/380 Nm and 7.3 seconds; Tesla Model Y 295 hp/420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- Battery and claimed range: BYD Sealion 7 71.8 kWh and 520 km; Tesla Model Y 60 kWh and 466 km.
- Charging: BYD Sealion 7 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC; Tesla Model Y 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.
- Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; Tesla Model Y 854 litres.
- Vehicle warranty: BYD Sealion 7 six years/150,000 km; Tesla Model Y four years/80,000 km.
Sealion 7
- 71.8 kWh battery and 520 km claimed range.
- Six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
- Nine airbags, head-up display and 360-degree camera.
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.9 seconds.
- Lower 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC charging rates.
- 500-litre boot is 354 litres smaller.
Model Y
- 295 hp and 420 Nm deliver 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
- 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging capability.
- 854-litre boot and heated rear seats.
- Costs RM34,200 more.
- 466 km claimed range is 54 km shorter.
- Four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter.
What the Sealion 7 has over the Model Y
What the Model Y 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.
The Model Y is 204 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model Y: 854 litres against 500.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800✓ | RM198,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM305 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,670/mo✓ | RM2,020/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,507✓ | RM5,396 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,227 | RM1,144✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.13 | RM5.72✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,768✓ | RM34,225 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 10.3 hours | 5.5 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 | 295 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh✓ | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | 520 km✓ | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 175 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | 1,921 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 19" Crossflow 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) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual 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 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 | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| 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 & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 Y for sale
Our reviews & guides
BYD Sealion 7
Tesla Model Y
Sealion 7 vs Model Y FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Tesla Model Y better?
The BYD Sealion 7 is better for lower purchase cost, 520 km claimed range and longer vehicle warranty. The Tesla Model Y is better for acceleration, charging capability and boot space, with 295 hp, 175 kW DC charging and 854 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model Y costs RM34,200 more than the BYD Sealion 7: RM198,000 versus RM163,800.
Which one charges faster?
The Tesla Model Y has the higher stated charging rates at 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC, versus 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC for the BYD Sealion 7.
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 Y's 60.0 kWh battery takes about 5.5 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 175 kW peak.