Head-to-head
Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7
At $54,990 the BYD Sealion 7 undercuts the Tesla Model Y by $17,000 (24%) — 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 · SUV
Tesla Model Y
Australia's best-selling EV by a wide margin, the Model Y combines crossover practicality with the Tesla software and Supercharger ecosystem. The 'Juniper' refresh addresses many of the original's ride and cabin gripes.
- From
- $71,990
- Range
- 466 km
- Battery
- 62.5 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 Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Boot · advantage Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y swallows 354 L more cargo with the rear seats up (854 vs 500 L).
- 2
Battery · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 carries a 20.0 kWh larger battery (82.5 vs 62.5 kWh).
- 3
Price · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 undercuts the Tesla Model Y by $17,000 (24%) on starting price.
- 4
Warranty · advantage BYD Sealion 7
The BYD Sealion 7 covers the vehicle for 2 more years (6 vs 4 yrs).
- 5
Efficiency · advantage Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is 2.5 kWh/100 km more efficient (14.6 vs 17.1), translating to cheaper running costs.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Tesla Model Y wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.9s vs 6.7s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (170 kW vs 150 kW)
Where the BYD Sealion 7 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $17,000
- ▸ 16 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Longer warranty (6 years)
Tesla Model Y
What we like
- ✓ Huge boot and frunk for family use
- ✓ Supercharger network access
- ✓ Strong residual values
What we don't
- ✕ Firm ride on 19-inch wheels
- ✕ Minimalist cabin polarises buyers
- ✕ No Android Auto / Apple CarPlay
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: Tesla Model Y vs BYD Sealion 7
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Tesla Model Y or the BYD Sealion 7?
- The BYD Sealion 7 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $54,990 versus $71,990 for the Tesla Model Y, a $17,000 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, 16 km further than the Tesla Model Y's 466 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 Tesla Model Y accepts a peak DC charging rate of 170 kW versus 150 kW for the BYD Sealion 7. 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.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Tesla Model Y does 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds — 0.8 s quicker than the BYD Sealion 7's 6.7 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the BYD Sealion 7 better value than the Tesla Model Y?
- On paper the BYD Sealion 7 is $17,000 cheaper AND beats the Tesla Model Y on most of the headline specs we measure — meaning by spec-sheet logic it's the stronger value play. What a spec sheet can't capture: brand prestige, dealer network depth, build feel, software polish, and likely resale.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Tesla Model Y
if…
- ✓ you regularly load it up (354 L more boot)
- ✓ you match the profile: families
Choose the
BYD Sealion 7
if…
- ✓ you want to save $17,000 on the sticker
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
- ✓ you match the profile: model y cross-shoppers
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.