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What it's really like driving a BYD Sealion 7 in Australia – My 3-month ownership review

BYDREAMAU | 2025-06-24 07:19 | 34 views

Hey all, I've had my Sealion 7 Premium RWD for just over 3 months now, and thought I’d share a bit of a real-world perspective from Sydney. **✅ What I like so far:** 1. **Ride comfort is excellent** – Suspension tuning is surprisingly well-balanced. Even with the 19" wheels, it handles bumps and uneven roads really smoothly. It's honestly one of the more refined Chinese EVs I’ve driven. 2. **Interior feels quite premium** – The materials and finish inside feel solid. The rotating 15.6" screen is more than a gimmick; I actually find myself using it in portrait mode during navigation and switching back to landscape when parked. 3. **Good tech for the price** – 360° camera, Dynaudio system, HUD, wireless CarPlay, ambient lighting… you’d usually have to pay way more for all that in other brands. 4. **Smooth power delivery** – The RWD model is more than fast enough for everyday driving, and it's quiet even on the highway thanks to double-glazed windows. 5. **V2L function is great** – Used it to power a laptop and mini-fridge during a weekend trip. Works flawlessly. **🤨 What’s not so great:** * **Software bugs** – Apple Maps doesn’t always sync properly with the driver display, and the safety announcements sometimes play even when turned off. * **Charging speed is decent but not best-in-class** – I usually see 100–130kW on a DC charger, which is fine, but competitors like the IONIQ 5 or Tesla do better. * **Driver seat memory is hit-or-miss** – The exit seat slide-back doesn’t always return to my saved position automatically. I have to press memory button #1 manually sometimes. * **No spare tyre & limited boot space** – You get a tyre repair kit, which isn’t too reassuring on longer trips. Overall though, for the \~$55K price tag, I think the positives far outweigh the quirks. It might not beat a Tesla in raw specs or an IONIQ in charging speed, but it gives a really compelling mix of comfort, features, and price. Would love to hear how others are finding it too — especially curious if anyone has had better luck with software updates or found any smart mods that improved things!

Comments (12)
[deleted] 2025-06-26 06:46

[removed]

KeyAd8166 2025-08-15 11:50

I fully agree with your observations on the positives especially first 2. On the negatives, I have slightly different experience. Seat memory is fine, never missed return to saved position after getting in the car. And carplay I haven't had that issue. But advanced driver assistance is annoying so I turned a bunch off. There are minor software glitches too, so it's 95/100 good infotainment software quality. There's a lot of other good or impressive things in the car though which is worth mentioning, but that'll be long for now. I have never tried fast DC charging and honestly don't care because probably I'll fast charge twice a year. 7kw home solar charging is a breeze for me, and free. You said doesn't beat Tesla's specs which confused me. I see Tesla Model Y (juniper) as inferior product in many regards including many specs. Acceleration of 6.8s is more than enough for 99% of ppl (in fact 100% I'd say) and lower efficiency compared to tesla is nearly pointless. Efficiency shouldn't be confused with range. If manufacturer add 5% more battery to make up 5% efficiency loss, then I'm cool. In fact for V2L and V2G I would say being it on, give me bigger battery (82kw vs 65kw). Customer service was bad for me mainly because of transition from Australian 3rd party to BYD but then they quickly made up for it and have given me a good experience. Still new, and let's for 12 months experience. I would give BYD Sealion 7 score of 95 out of 100 for quality and value. Overall an excellent package. I chose it carefully with lots of research over almost every other option in the market before 100k price

BYDREAMAU 2025-08-16 08:19

Consistency is probably more important than chasing the top numbers. I also agree with you on the infotainment; some days it feels super smooth, other days it can get a bit glitchy. Hopefully future OTA updates iron that out.

Ok_Resolution_389 2025-08-21 22:40

Just took delivery of my Sealion 7 RWD and the basics are very good, but the small items have had little thought. Audio is garbage, distorted and the radio has no range. No were to put my garage door opener, keys, money or parking pass. No accessories available, no rear mudflap rear or cargo mat. Given the rear wheels over lap the rear quarter panel it just loads the side of the car with road grime. The driver assistance is poorly calibrated and forces the car all over the road. The dealer said it was learning which I don't except. Putting you in danger will trying to help is illogical. My first impression is the macro has been designed well and all the conveniences have been forgotten. Basically they have been so focused on bringing the car to the market that they haven't bother to ensure the car's day use has been thought out. BYD being a young company in Australia they should have a customer care function to get feedback directly from their customers and help them make their cars more functional.

BYDREAMAU 2025-08-22 07:39

Congrats on the new ride, BYD nailed the big stuff but kinda overlooked the everyday details.

KeyAd8166 2025-08-29 04:51

Sorry to hear that it seems you’re off to a difficult start. Few points which might help - These ADAS settings helped me be Ok: ICC: OFF. Active cruise control is well calibrated but active steering not. ESC/HDC OFF FCW: Late - In terms of storage, you’ll get used to storage options available. It’s a bit of change which comes with any new car. If you think about your list for each one of them I bet you’ll find satisfactory answer. Just find what works for you given what’s available to you. - Mudflap, it’s compromise for clearance. If you prefer less clearance but more grim protection they are cheap to buy online and installation is easy too. I chose to not install mudflaps. - If parked but inside car turn off child detection or keep car ON. Or it’ll panic. - Accessories, it’s subjective. I was personally made aware in detail on what comes with the car and what’s not included. In comparison BYD has been average with inclusions of charger (yes some companies don’t give you charger like new iPhones), V2L outlet, and frunk mat. They also gifted number of extras including umbrella, cleaning products, etc. I’m happy with how it was. Mats I ordered premium from rubber mats. Flipping the coin, for all these issues, after 2 months I’m still finding new little features which suggest attention-to-details. It’s not a 100% complete product (no EV in AU market was when I was shopping) but it certainly is more mature than what I initially gave credit for.

Ninjarat88 2025-09-27 06:20

Rav 4 XLE HEV review

AdElectrical1591 2025-12-10 12:43

SL7 premium 8mths ownership..20000 klms  Super quite even at higher speeds ..this has to be the quitest car ive ever driven...its a very quick car  for a single electric ..need to watch your speed when overtaking  Max distance at highway speed is 380klm..around town..450klm For a car that weighs over 2 ton the brakes are superb. Suspension is great.best car that I've owned

raumatiboy 2025-12-13 04:55

Are you doing 110kph on highway? Only asking as I am in New Zealand and we don't haveany 110kph roads

Purple-Current9118 2026-01-29 20:10

yes we do - auckland to hamilton - north auckland - tauranga plenty of roads with 110km/h speed limit

raumatiboy 2026-01-29 20:54

Ok, not many. 3 or 4 is not plenty

believer_4ever 2026-03-11 05:01

Honestly, the cons dont seem like major issues to me at least but niggles which one could live with. I am growing tired of looking for a good EV...Wonder if I should finally test drive the SL7.

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