Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM29,331 more at RM163,800, but it brings 228 hp and 380 Nm from its rear motor, a 71.8-kWh battery rated for 520 km, and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 2,930-mm wheelbase and 500-litre boot also beat the CX-5’s 2,700 mm and 442 litres. The Mazda CX-5 is the cheaper RM134,469 route into a five-seat SUV, with a 56-litre petrol tank, space-saver spare and 572 kg less mass. Choose based on charging access, not just acceleration.
Pick the BYD Sealion 7 if you can charge regularly and want 520 km EV range, a 500-litre boot and substantially stronger 7.3-second acceleration.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if RM29,331 saved, a 56-litre petrol tank and a space-saver spare suit your ownership needs better.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Sealion 7 RM163,800; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Powertrain: BYD Sealion 7 228 hp/380 Nm electric motor; Mazda CX-5 162 hp/213 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine.
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Sealion 7 7.3 seconds; Mazda CX-5 10.4 seconds.
- Range/fuel: BYD Sealion 7 520 km EV range with 71.8-kWh battery; Mazda CX-5 56-litre petrol tank.
- Size: BYD Sealion 7 4,830 mm long with 2,930-mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-5 4,550 mm with 2,700-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BYD Sealion 7 500 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres.
Sealion 7
- 520 km EV range and 110 kW DC charging
- 228 hp, 380 Nm and 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Nine airbags, autonomous braking and steering lane-keeping assist
- Costs RM29,331 more
- At 2,160 kg, it is 572 kg heavier
- Tyre repair kit instead of the CX-5’s space-saver spare
CX-5
- RM134,469 entry price
- Space-saver spare tyre
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat
- 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.3 seconds
- Six airbags versus nine
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,800 | RM134,469✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 228 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 380 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 71.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,160 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Centre Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-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.
Used Sealion 7 & CX-5 for sale
Sealion 7 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the BYD Sealion 7 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The Sealion 7 is better for buyers with reliable charging: it has 520 km of stated EV range, 228 hp and a 500-litre boot. The CX-5 makes more sense if lower upfront cost and petrol refuelling are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Sealion 7 costs RM163,800 and the Mazda CX-5 costs RM134,469, so the Sealion 7 is RM29,331 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BYD Sealion 7 or Mazda CX-5?
The BYD Sealion 7 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 10.4 seconds for the Mazda CX-5. Its motor produces 228 hp and 380 Nm, against 162 hp and 213 Nm.
