[Test Drive] The Sealion 7 Transformed by a 2 Million Won Upgrade: "Base Model Buyers Might Feel Shortchanged"

Additional Convenience Features: Genuine Nappa Leather, HUD, and Dynaudio

Refreshing 313-Horsepower Performance... Lack of Physical Buttons and Body Roll Remain Drawbacks

I had the opportunity to test drive the BYD "Sealion 7 Plus" trim, which adds a range of premium convenience options to the base model. While it is priced 2 million won higher than the standard model, actually getting behind the wheel gave me the impression that it delivers value far beyond that price difference. I could understand why buyers of the base model felt so frustrated upon hearing news of the upgrade.

BYD Sealion 7. BYD Korea

The most notable improvement is the seats. Instead of synthetic leather, the car is equipped with genuine Nappa leather seats, which feel much more luxurious and offer enhanced comfort. One particularly welcome upgrade is the addition of the memory seat function, a feature that buyers have pointed out was missing in previous versions.

The lumbar support and power leg support features, designed to reduce fatigue during long drives, are also included. While test driving over a distance of approximately 200 kilometers, the seat firmly supported both my lower back and legs, making long hours of driving much less uncomfortable.

Accessibility has also improved. The "easy access" function, which automatically moves the seat and steering wheel to make it easier to get in and out of the car, proves useful. Another feature—the side mirrors automatically tilting down when reversing into a parking space—was also extremely practical in daily life.

Interior of BYD Sealion 7 Plus Trim. Photo by Youngchan Choi

The audio system has been significantly upgraded as well. The car is equipped with 12 Dynaudio speakers, allowing for a rich surround sound experience throughout the cabin. While it is possible to manually set the equalizer (EQ), the default presets such as Acoustic and Dynamic already offer excellent sound quality.

The newly added Head-Up Display (HUD) provides intuitive and comprehensive information, so there is little need to look at the dashboard or center display. You can easily view upcoming route guidance, current speed, and the status of driver assistance systems (ADAS) at a glance. However, route guidance through the HUD is available only when navigation information display on the instrument cluster is set to minimal.

Despite the wealth of options included in the 2 million won upgrade greatly enhancing both convenience and a sense of luxury, several inconveniences remain. The lack of physical buttons means you must use the central touchscreen for functions such as ventilated seats and climate control. In addition, due to the SUV’s higher ride height compared to a sedan, the car experiences frequent body roll—side-to-side head movement—when driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces.

BYD Sealion 7 Plus Trim. Photo by Youngchan Choi

The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) performed well in both heavy traffic and regular driving conditions. Sudden braking or abrupt acceleration were hardly noticeable during automatic stops and starts. However, the ACC failed to respond securely when another vehicle cut in from a different lane, highlighting an area in need of improvement in the future.

Even so, the Sealion 7 Plus offers solid performance on public roads and excellent value compared to other electric vehicles in the same class, making it a highly attractive choice in the EV market. The model released in Korea features a rear-wheel-drive configuration, powered by a PMSM motor at the rear that delivers a maximum output of 230 kW (approximately 313 horsepower) and a peak torque of 380 Nm (38.7 kgf.m). The car can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

The base Sealion 7 model is priced at 44.9 million won, while the Plus trim sells for 46.9 million won. Although BYD vehicles are not eligible for Korea's electric vehicle subsidies, the company maintains customer benefits and price competitiveness through its own subsidies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.