Quick Answer
These two are fighting for the same buyer — the family stepping up to a proper electric SUV — from opposite design philosophies. The BYD Sealion 7 is the sleeker, quicker, more tech-theatrical car and undercuts like-for-like trims. The Kia EV5 counters with boxy space efficiency, a simpler cabin, Kia’s 7-year warranty and a more established dealer network. Neither is a wrong answer; the differences are about what your family actually loads into a car.
Price Comparison (UK, mid-2026)
| BYD Sealion 7 | Kia EV5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | ~£46,990 (Comfort) | ~£39,000 (Air, smaller battery) |
| Mid | ~£51,990 (Design AWD) | ~£45,000 (GT-Line) |
| Top | ~£58,990 (Excellence AWD) | ~£50,000+ (GT-Line S) |
Approximate — both brands move pricing frequently; the EV5’s entry trim uses a smaller battery, so compare like-for-like range, not just headline price.
The EV5 opens cheaper; at equivalent battery and equipment the gap narrows to little or nothing, with the BYD generally giving more performance and screen for the money.
Range and Charging
| Sealion 7 (RWD, 82.5 kWh) | EV5 (81.4 kWh, Long Range) | |
|---|---|---|
| WLTP range | ~300 miles | ~310–330 miles |
| Peak DC | 150 kW | ~150 kW |
| 10–80% DC | ~32 min | ~30 min |
| Battery type | Blade LFP | NMC (most trims) |
Effectively a tie on paper. Two chemistry notes that matter in ownership: the BYD’s LFP pack is happy charged to 100% every day (the Kia’s NMC prefers 80% daily), which narrows the real-world usable-range gap; the Kia tends to hold its rated range slightly better at motorway speeds. See Blade Battery explained.
Space and Practicality
- EV5: the boxy shape pays — bigger boot (~500+ L), flat roofline for rear headroom and bulky loads, clever storage
- Sealion 7: coupe roofline costs some boot height, but it’s still family-sized (~500 L floor space) and the cabin feels the more expensive of the two
Winner for pure practicality: EV5. For cabin wow-per-pound: Sealion 7.
Performance
Sealion 7 AWD: 523 bhp, 0–62 in ~4.5 s — hot-hatch-humbling numbers. The EV5 is brisk-adequate (~7–8 s) and doesn’t pretend otherwise. If performance moves you at all, this category is a walkover.
Winner: Sealion 7.
Warranty and Ownership
- Kia: 7-year/100,000-mile warranty — the industry’s gold standard, transferable, and backed by a mature dealer network
- BYD: 6-year vehicle / 8-year battery warranty (details) — good on paper, but the newer dealer and parts network is the honest caveat; read our parts and service guide before deciding how much weight to give it
Winner: Kia, and for some buyers this category decides the whole comparison.
Verdict
Buy the Sealion 7 if you want maximum EV — performance, screens, presence — per pound and you’re comfortable being early to a fast-growing brand. Buy the EV5 if practicality-per-litre, warranty length and network maturity top your list. Also cross-shop the Sealion 7 vs Tesla Model Y — the Model Y remains the benchmark both are aiming at.