Verdict
At RM163,800, the Sealion 7 costs RM14,800 more than the RM149,000 Model 3, and it answers with SUV practicality: five doors, a 1,620-mm roofline, 500-litre boot, 360-degree camera and 3.3-kW V2L. The Tesla is the sharper numbers choice, hitting 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds against 7.3, travelling 534 km to BYD’s 520 km and accepting 170 kW DC charging rather than 110 kW. Its 594-litre boot is larger too. The BYD counters with a 71.8-kWh battery, nine airbags and longer 6-year/150,000-km vehicle cover.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you need SUV height, V2L, a 360-degree camera and the longer 6-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if lower upfront cost, quicker acceleration, faster AC/DC charging and the larger boot matter more.
Key differences
- Performance: Sealion 7 has 228 hp, 380 Nm and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time; Model 3 has 279 hp, 420 Nm and does it in 6.2 seconds.
- Battery and range: Sealion 7 has a 71.8-kWh battery and 520 km range; Model 3 has 62.5 kWh and 534 km.
- Charging: Sealion 7 accepts 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC; Model 3 accepts 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC.
- Body and luggage: Sealion 7 is a five-door SUV with a 500-litre boot; Model 3 is a four-door sedan with a 594-litre boot.
- Safety: Sealion 7 has nine airbags; Model 3 has seven airbags.
- Vehicle warranty: Sealion 7 gets 6 years/150,000 km; Model 3 gets 4 years/80,000 km.
Sealion 7
- 3.3-kW V2L capability
- Nine airbags and airbag-disable function
- 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, plus head-up display
- RM14,800 dearer
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 110-kW DC and 7-kW AC charging trail the Tesla
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- 170-kW DC and 11-kW AC charging
- 534-km range and 594-litre boot
- No V2L function
- Shorter 4-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty
- Seven airbags versus the Sealion 7's nine
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 228 hp | 279 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh✓ | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | 520 km | 534 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 170 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | — |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| 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, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| 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.
Used Sealion 7 & Model 3 for sale
Sealion 7 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the better numbers-led buy: it is cheaper, quicker, goes 14 km farther, charges faster and has a 94-litre larger boot. Choose the Sealion 7 for its SUV body, V2L, 360-degree camera and longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM14,800 more than the Tesla Model 3.
Which one charges faster?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on both inputs, at 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC. The BYD Sealion 7 is rated at 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC.
