ELECTRIC AMBITION WITH BITE

BYD SEALION 7

- Sohil Nikam

₹48.90 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)

Years after whispers, meetings, and regulatory drama, Tesla has finally started taking the Indian market seriously. The company's plans of setting up shop in India are seemingly inching closer to reality. But while Elon Musk's EV empire is still working out the logistics, its fiercest global competitor, BYD, has already locked in its foothold in India. After introducing the BYD e6 MPV and the Atto 3 SUV in India, the Chinese EV giant rolled out the Seal, which is a direct rival to the Tesla Model 3. And now, it's following that up with the even more ambitious BYD Sealion 7.

While it may be positioned globally as a Model Y rival, in India - where Tesla hasn't yet launched a single car - it's not going after absent competition. Instead, it's gunning straight for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and even premium ICE-to-EV conversions like the BMW iX1. The Sealion 7 is BYD's most aggressive move yet in India. With a head-turning design, premium cabin, serious performance, and loaded tech, the Sealion 7 makes one thing clear: the electric SUV segment is about to get very interesting.

BREAKING THE MOULD

One look at the Sealion 7, and you'll know BYD isn't here to blend in. The SUV doesn't carry the conventional, safe styling you often see in mainstream offerings. Built on BYD's 'Ocean Aesthetics' design philosophy, it has a silhouette that feels fluid, futuristic, and very deliberate. Up front, the slim LED DRLs look like something out of a concept car. The sharply cut headlamps and sculpted bonnet lines give it a strong presence, while the coupe-style roofline gives it a sporty stance. It doesn't try to look macho. Instead, the Sealion 7 leans into its electric DNA with a sleek, aerodynamic and futuristic look.