The main highlight of BYD at the Paris Motor Show was the mid-size crossover Sealion 7. It has been on sale in its home market since May, but this was its first showing outside of China. However, its market positioning remains the same: both in China and on the European continent, this "sea lion" is aimed at competing with the Tesla Model Y.

The Sealion 7 is based on the BYD Seal sedan, which has already been tested by Autoreview. The crossover's design follows the same signature BYD Ocean family style. It features wedge-shaped headlights (with LED brackets in this case), a "floating roof," and a single rear light bar. In line with the trend of Chinese competitors to the Model Y, the Sealion 7 is slightly larger: it measures 4830 mm in length (+80 mm), 1925 mm in width (+4 mm), and has a 2930 mm wheelbase (+40 mm). However, it is 4 mm shorter in height (1620 mm). In the Chinese specification, the crossover comes with 19 or 20-inch wheels.

The interior is designed according to all the modern standards of BYD cars. The dashboard features separate screens for instruments and the media system, along with karaoke and a head-up display (with augmented reality). The front seats have integrated headrests, heating, and ventilation. Other notable features include eleven airbags, dynamic ambient lighting, a Dynaudio sound system with twelve speakers, an air freshener, and a panoramic roof covering 2.1 square meters. It is equipped with BYD's proprietary DiPilot 100 autopilot system, offering Level 2 autonomy (17 radars and 11 cameras). The main trunk holds 500 liters, while the front compartment provides an additional 58 liters.

The crossover is built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture, which includes an 800-volt electrical system, front double-wishbone, and rear multi-link suspension. So far, only a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version has been announced for Europe, but its specifications are yet to be revealed. In the Chinese market, the combined output of the two motors reaches 530 hp and 690 Nm. The crossover, with a curb weight of 2330 kg, can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed limited to 225 km/h. Its 80.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery provides a range of 550 km according to the CLTC cycle.

Additionally, simpler rear-wheel-drive versions are available in China. The base version has a 231 hp motor with 380 Nm, a 71.8 kWh battery, and a range of the same 550 km. The acceleration time to 100 km/h is 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The third version has the longest range (610 km), equipped with an 80.6 kWh battery like the dual-motor version. The single electric motor produces 313 hp and 380 Nm, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h.

The BYD Sealion 7 crossover has yet to receive a European price list. However, the starting price in the UK is known: from £45,000 (about $58,000), which is lower than the base rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y (£47,000 or $61,000). In China, the base Sealion 7 costs 190,000 yuan ($26,700), while the top all-wheel-drive version is priced at 240,000 yuan ($33,700).