Introduction: The second-generation BYD Seal 07 is moving away from flashy design cues and toward a more practical, comfort-focused cabin. Instead of chasing novelty, BYD appears to be prioritizing the details that matter most during everyday driving: easier controls, better storage, improved seating and a cleaner overall layout.
Long hours behind the wheel tend to reveal a car’s real strengths and weaknesses. Performance figures may impress at first, but a poorly placed phone charger, awkward gear selector or cluttered center console can quickly become frustrating. With the updated Seal 07, BYD is signaling that it understands this lesson well.
The most noticeable change inside is the removal of the previous round crystal gear selector. Drive modes are now selected through a steering-column-mounted stalk, freeing up valuable space on the center console. The result is a more open storage area with two wireless charging pads, deeper cup holders and a row of physical rocker switches that allow key functions to be operated without distracting the driver.
The updated cabin also adopts a more conventional driving environment. A new three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel sits ahead of a digital instrument cluster, while a recessed head-up display provides information without dominating the dashboard. The overall effect is less ornamental and more purposeful, giving the Seal 07 a more grown-up character.
BYD has also placed greater emphasis on passenger comfort. The front seats use a zero-gravity design and include ventilation, heating and pneumatic massage functions. Rear passengers benefit from longer seat cushions and deeper backrest shaping, making the sedan better suited to longer journeys.
Audio hardware has been upgraded as well. BYD has replaced earlier Dynaudio systems with a 20-speaker Devialet setup, complete with laser-etched metal speaker grilles on the door panels. When paired with double glazing, the system should help create a quieter and more refined cabin atmosphere.
The larger interior experience is supported by increased exterior dimensions. Regulatory filings in China show that the new Seal 07 measures 200 inches in length, 77.2 inches in width and 58.9 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 116.5 inches. Compared with the previous Seal 07 EV, it is 3.35 inches longer, 1.97 inches wider and has 2.36 inches more distance between the axles.
Those gains help push the Seal 07 into larger executive-sedan territory. The Tesla Model 3 is considerably smaller at 185.8 inches long and 72.8 inches wide. The Xiaomi SU7 is closer in length at 196.7 inches and slightly wider at 77.3 inches, though it has a longer 118-inch wheelbase. Meanwhile, the BMW i5 measures 199.2 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width and 59.6 inches in height, placing the new BYD near the same full-size premium segment.
The added size does come with a downside: weight. The battery-electric Seal 07 is listed at 4,542 pounds, while the plug-in hybrid version weighs 4,321 pounds. That mass is likely to be noticeable during aggressive cornering, though the longer wheelbase and wider stance should improve stability and comfort on highways.
The pure-electric lineup will include two rear-wheel-drive options. The entry version combines a 245 kW motor, equivalent to 329 horsepower, with a 77 kWh LFP battery pack. This configuration provides up to 482 miles of range on China’s CLTC cycle, or an estimated 395 miles under the stricter WLTP standard. The long-range model uses a 300 kW motor producing 402 horsepower and an 89 kWh FinDreams battery, increasing CLTC range to 544 miles, with a WLTP estimate of 446 miles. Both versions have a top speed of 149 mph.
BYD is also continuing to support its plug-in hybrid technology. The Seal 07 DM-i pairs a 115 kW turbocharged 1.5-liter petrol engine with a 160 kW electric motor. Its 38 kWh battery is unusually large for a hybrid, enabling an electric-only range of up to 152 miles under the WLTC standard. Top speed for the hybrid is listed at 118 mph, making it practical for daily electric commuting while retaining a petrol engine for longer trips.
Driver-assistance hardware differs depending on the powertrain. The electric Seal 07 is shown with a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, while the hybrid version appears to rely on cameras and millimeter-wave radar. The addition of LiDAR suggests BYD is taking the autonomous-driving competition more seriously, especially as rivals such as XPeng and Huawei continue to push advanced driver-assistance features.
The redesign arrives at an important moment for BYD. Sales of the previous Seal 07 declined sharply in its home market, falling 37.3% month-on-month in September to 624 units. Across the broader Seal lineup, September deliveries dropped 9.04% year-on-year to 46,718 vehicles, while total volume for the first nine months slid 14.11% to 304,723 units. With the Seal nameplate accounting for more than 11% of BYD’s global production in 2025, the model remains strategically important.
Pricing for the outgoing Seal 07 had started between RMB 169,900 and RMB 189,900, with the hybrid version ranging from RMB 149,800 to RMB 186,800. The rapid arrival of updated models such as the Da Han EV, the second-generation Seagull and now the new Seal 07 highlights BYD’s ability to respond quickly to shifting market demands — a pace that continues to put pressure on more traditional automakers.
