Verdict
At RM188,800, the Sealion 7 Premium is the sensible Malaysian buy: its single 308 hp rear motor still delivers 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, while the 91.39 kWh battery is rated for 650 km and annual road tax is just RM335. The RM203,800 Performance cuts the sprint to 4.5 seconds with 523 hp, 690 Nm and all-wheel drive, but gives up 50 km of rated range and faces RM1,015 road tax. The RM15,000 gap is for serious pace, not more cabin space or charging hardware.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 Premium if you want the longer 650 km rated range, lower RM335 annual road tax and a RM15,000 saving.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 Performance if 523 hp, 690 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than range and running costs.
Key differences
- Price: Premium RM188,800; Performance RM203,800.
- Motor output: Premium has one motor with 308 hp and 380 Nm; Performance has two motors with 523 hp and 690 Nm.
- Driveline and acceleration: Premium is rear-wheel drive and reaches 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds; Performance is all-wheel drive and does it in 4.5 seconds.
- Rated range and road tax: Premium delivers 650 km and costs RM335 per year; Performance delivers 600 km and costs RM1,015 per year.
- Wheels and tyres: Premium uses 19-inch alloys with Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres; Performance uses 20-inch alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.
- Kerb weight: Premium weighs 2,295 kg; Performance weighs 2,435 kg.
Premium
- RM15,000 less to buy.
- 650 km rated range, 50 km more than the Performance.
- RM335 annual road tax.
- 308 hp and 380 Nm trail the Performance's 523 hp and 690 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No electric child safety lock for the rear doors.
Performance
- 523 hp and 690 Nm from two motors.
- All-wheel drive and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.
- Costs RM15,000 more.
- 600 km rated range is 50 km short of the Premium.
- RM1,015 annual road tax versus RM335.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,800✓ | RM203,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM1,015 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | 523 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | 690 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 91.39 kWh | 91.39 kWh |
| EV Range | 650 km✓ | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 230 kW | 230 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.9 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,925 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 2,295 kg | 2,435 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 245/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| 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 and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 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 | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio 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 Push Button |
| 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 | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years | 6 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 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.
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Premium vs Performance FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 Premium or BYD Sealion 7 Performance better?
The Premium is better for most buyers because it has 650 km rated range and lower road tax. Choose the Performance only if its 523 hp, all-wheel drive and 4.5-second sprint are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Sealion 7 Performance costs RM15,000 more than the Premium.
Which Sealion 7 has the longer electric range?
The Premium has the longer rated range at 650 km. The Performance is rated at 600 km, despite both using a 91.39 kWh battery and 230 kW DC charging.