Car Buyer's Guide

BYD Sealion 7 vs Omoda Jaecoo J7

BYD Sealion 7

BYD Sealion 7

Omoda Jaecoo J7

Omoda Jaecoo J7

Verdict

At RM163,800, the BYD Sealion 7 costs RM25,000 more than the RM138,800 Omoda Jaecoo J7, but it is the larger EV: 4,830 mm long with a 2,930 mm wheelbase, a 500-litre boot and a claimed 520 km range from its 71.8-kWh battery. Its 228-hp, 380-Nm rear motor also reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, against the J7’s 194 hp, 290 Nm and 9.2 seconds. The J7 counters with lower annual road tax, local CKD assembly and a full-size spare wheel.

Sealion 7

Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you want EV driving, a 520-km claimed range, quicker 7.3-second acceleration and substantially more cabin footprint.

J7

Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J7 if a RM25,000 lower entry price, RM120 annual road tax, petrol refuelling and a full-size spare matter more.

Key differences

  • Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; Omoda Jaecoo J7 RM138,800.
  • Power and torque: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp and 380 Nm; Omoda Jaecoo J7 194 hp and 290 Nm.
  • 0-100 km/h: BYD Sealion 7 7.3 seconds; Omoda Jaecoo J7 9.2 seconds.
  • Length and wheelbase: BYD Sealion 7 4,830 mm and 2,930 mm; Omoda Jaecoo J7 4,500 mm and 2,672 mm.
  • Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; Omoda Jaecoo J7 412 litres.
  • Annual road tax: BYD Sealion 7 RM220; Omoda Jaecoo J7 RM120.

Sealion 7

  • 71.8-kWh battery with 520 km claimed EV range
  • Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
  • 500-litre boot and 2,930-mm wheelbase
  • RM25,000 dearer
  • RM100 higher annual road tax
  • Tyre repair kit instead of the J7’s full-size spare

J7

  • RM25,000 lower purchase price
  • Lower RM120 annual road tax
  • Full-size spare wheel
  • Slower 9.2-second 0-100 km/h time
  • Smaller 412-litre boot
  • No EV range, battery charging or V2L capability
Price & overview
PriceRM163,800RM138,800✓
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentCompact ExecutiveC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCKD
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM220RM120✓
Powertrain
Engine Tech400V architecture16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing
Capacity—1,598 cc
Horsepower—194 hp
Torque—290 Nm
Cylinder Arrangement—Inline 4
FuelElectricPetrol
Bore × Stroke—77 mm × 85.8 mm
Compression Ratio—9.9
Number of Motors1—
Motor Horsepower228 hp—
Motor Torque380 Nm—
Battery Capacity71.8 kWh—
EV Range520 km—
Charging Rate (AC)7 kW—
Charging Rate (DC)110 kW—
V2L3.3 kW—
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticDual-clutch Automatic (Wet)
Transmission Name—7-speed Dual-clutch Gearbox
Gears—7
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h7.3 seconds✓9.2 seconds
Top Speed—180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,830 mm4,500 mm
Width1,925 mm1,865 mm
Height1,620 mm1,680 mm
Wheelbase2,930 mm2,672 mm
Weight2,160 kg—
Fuel Tank—51 litres
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space500 litres✓412 litres
Front Tyre235/50R19235/50R19
Rear Tyre255/45R19235/50R19
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair KitFull Size Spare
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 6 QCooper Evolution CTT
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)Malaysia (CKD)
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesMacPherson Struts
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels19" Alloys19" Alloys
Rear Wheels19" Alloys19" Alloys
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
Airbags9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag)7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Alarm✓✓
Immobilizer✓✓
Airbag Disable Function✓✓
Child Safety Lock—Manual for rear doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable for Two Outer Rear Passenger SeatsAvailable on outer two rear seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED ProjectorLED Projectors
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Front Foglamps—✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsPower-adjustable Front Seats, VentilatedDriver & Front Passenger Powered Seats
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-fold
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear VentsRear AC Vents
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Sunroof
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights, Ambient Lighting
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadePanoramic Glass Roof ShadePanoramic Glass Shade
Audio15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System14.8-inch Portrait Touchscreen with Sony Sound System, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop—✓
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control
Tiptronic—✓
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Boot OperationPowered BootPowered Boot
Parking Sensor Front2 Sensors4 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, 360-degree CameraYes, 360-degree Camera
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓✓
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage Manufacturer150,000 km150,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer6 years7 years✓
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty—

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.

Sealion 7 vs J7 FAQ

Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Omoda Jaecoo J7 better?

The Sealion 7 is better for EV use, performance and space: it has a 520-km claimed range, reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and carries 500 litres. The J7 is the more affordable petrol SUV, with lower road tax and a full-size spare.

What is the price difference?

The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM25,000 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J7. That gap brings a 71.8-kWh battery, 520-km claimed range, 228 hp, 380 Nm and a larger 500-litre boot.

Which one is cheaper to tax each year?

The Omoda Jaecoo J7 is cheaper for annual road tax at RM120, versus RM220 for the BYD Sealion 7. The yearly difference is RM100.

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