BYD Sealion 7 vs Toyota bZ4X

The front-drive bZ4X 2WD claims 591km on the WLTP cycle, against 482km for the rear-drive Sealion 7 Premium. The Toyota manages the longer figure despite a smaller 74.7kWh battery against the BYD's 82.56kWh, because it uses far less energy: 138Wh/km plays 170. Step up each range and the pattern holds, with the dual-motor bZ4X AWD claiming 517km and the Sealion 7 Performance 456km. Independent testing lands lower for both, as it does for every EV, but the bZ4X is the one to pick if range is the priority.

On a like-for-like basis the gap is small. As of 2026 the Sealion 7 Premium lists from $54,990 and the bZ4X 2WD from $55,990 before on-road costs, roughly $1,000 apart, and the flagship Sealion 7 Performance at $63,990 undercuts the bZ4X AWD at $67,990. Drive-away the gap can widen in the BYD's favour, because BYD runs periodic campaigns that absorb the Sealion 7's on-road costs, while Toyota's drive-away pricing includes them. Check the current offer before deciding: the sticker order does not change, but the size of the saving does.

Both peak at 150kW on DC. The Sealion 7 is the quicker of the two in practice, claiming a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in about 32 minutes against the bZ4X's 45. At home the order flips. The updated bZ4X accepts up to 22kW on three-phase AC power, double the Sealion 7's 11kW, so it recharges overnight far faster where three-phase is available. Neither is a fast-charging standout against the newest rivals, which reach much higher DC peaks, but for daily home charging the Toyota has the clear edge.

Both wear five stars. The Sealion 7 was rated in 2025 and scores strongly for child occupant protection at 93 per cent, with 87 for adult occupants. The updated bZ4X was rated in 2026 and edges ahead on adult occupant protection at 88 per cent, safety assist at 82 and vulnerable road users at 80, against the BYD's 78 and 76. Both come standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring; the bZ4X adds standard rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection and automatic high beam across the range.

The bZ4X is the cheaper car to run. It uses 138Wh/km on the 2WD against 170 to 179 for the Sealion 7, so it costs less to charge for the same distance. Servicing is cheaper too, with Toyota's capped-price plan at $180 a visit, about $900 across five years, and the bZ4X carries a five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. The Sealion 7 counters with a longer six-year, 150,000km warranty and both back their batteries for eight years and 160,000km, but on day-to-day cost the Toyota wins.

The Sealion 7 is the more practical of the two for luggage. It holds 500 litres behind the rear seats and adds a 58-litre front boot under the bonnet, for 558 litres of combined space, expanding to 1,769 litres with the rear seats folded. The bZ4X carries 452 litres and has no front boot, and Australian reviewers note its cabin does without a glovebox. Both seat five across five doors, and the longer 4.83-metre Sealion 7 body gives it a small edge on interior room over the 4.69-metre Toyota.

For a family the Sealion 7 makes the stronger case on paper. It has the bigger boot plus a front boot, the higher ANCAP child-occupant score at 93 per cent, a standard panoramic roof and rear air vents, and more standard comfort kit. The bZ4X answers with the longer range, which matters for longer family trips, cheaper running costs and Toyota's dealer and servicing network. If your driving is mostly local and you want maximum space and safety for the money, the Sealion 7; if you regularly cover distance, the bZ4X.

For a salary-packaged or cost-focused buyer the bZ4X is the pick. It uses less energy at 138Wh/km, claims the longer 591km range, charges fastest at home on three-phase power and has the cheaper capped-price servicing. Both qualify for the fringe benefits tax exemption on a novated lease, which softens the sticker either way, so the deciding factor becomes running cost, and there the Toyota leads. The Sealion 7's longer warranty is the counter-argument, but it does not close the efficiency gap.

The Sealion 7 is the driver's and gadget-lover's pick. Its rear-drive Premium makes 230kW to the bZ4X 2WD's 167kW, and the dual-motor Performance produces 390kW for a claimed 4.5-second 0-100km/h against the bZ4X AWD's 252kW and 5.1 seconds. Inside, the Sealion 7 runs a larger 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver's display and a head-up display the Toyota does without. Neither is tuned as a sports car, but on outright performance and screen real estate the BYD leads clearly. The bZ4X's cabin is simpler and, reviewers note, its software less polished.