Head-to-head
BYD Dolphin vs BYD Sealion 7
At $29,990 the BYD Dolphin undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $25,000 (45%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Hatch
BYD Dolphin
The Dolphin is one of Australia's cheapest new EVs and one of the best small-car bargains, full stop. With a Blade LFP battery, full ADAS suite, and 5-star ANCAP rating, it punches well above its sticker price.
- From
- $29,990
- Range
- 427 km
- Battery
- 60.5 kWh
Option B · SUV
BYD Sealion 7
BYD's mid-size electric SUV launched in Australia in February 2025 and rose to second on the EV sales chart by early 2026 — only the Tesla Model Y outsells it. Pairs an 82.5 kWh Blade LFP battery with rear- or all-wheel-drive options, 150 kW DC fast charging and a 5-star ANCAP rating.
- From
- $54,990
- Range
- 482 km
- Battery
- 82.5 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BYD Dolphin and BYD Sealion 7, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 goes 55 km further on a charge (482 vs 427 km WLTP).
- 2
Price · advantage BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $25,000 (45%) on starting price.
- 3
Battery · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 carries a 22.0 kWh larger battery (82.5 vs 60.5 kWh).
- 4
Power · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 puts down 100 kW more (230 vs 130 kW).
- 5
DC charging · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 accepts 62 kW more DC peak charging (150 vs 88 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BYD Dolphin wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $25,000
Where the BYD Sealion 7 wins
- ▸ 55 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (6.7s vs 7s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (150 kW vs 88 kW)
BYD Dolphin
What we like
- ✓ Among the cheapest EVs on sale in Australia
- ✓ Surprisingly long range from the Premium variant
- ✓ Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability standard
What we don't
- ✕ Funky styling won't suit everyone
- ✕ Rear seat space tighter than the Atto 3
- ✕ Limited dealer network outside capital cities
BYD Sealion 7
What we like
- ✓ Long 482 km WLTP range from the Premium RWD variant
- ✓ Five-star ANCAP rating tested 2025
- ✓ Class-leading 8-year battery warranty
- ✓ Genuinely quick — 4.5s 0–100 in Performance trim
What we don't
- ✕ DC fast-charging peak (150 kW) trails 800V Korean rivals
- ✕ Software lacks the polish of Tesla's
- ✕ BYD dealer network still limited outside capital cities
Frequently asked: BYD Dolphin vs BYD Sealion 7
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BYD Dolphin or the BYD Sealion 7?
- The BYD Dolphin is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $29,990 versus $54,990 for the BYD Sealion 7, a $25,000 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BYD Sealion 7 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 482 km, 55 km further than the BYD Dolphin's 427 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The BYD Sealion 7 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 150 kW versus 88 kW for the BYD Dolphin. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Is the BYD Dolphin better value than the BYD Sealion 7?
- On paper the BYD Dolphin is $25,000 cheaper, but trails the BYD Sealion 7 on the core measurable specs. The saving might still be worth it if you don't need the extra range, power or charging speed — but the BYD Sealion 7 is the spec-sheet winner.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BYD Dolphin
if…
- ✓ you want to save $25,000 on the sticker
- ✓ you match the profile: city commuters
Choose the
BYD Sealion 7
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (55 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you regularly load it up (155 L more boot)
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.