BYD Sealion 7 Excellence vs Seal U DM-i Comfort – Which would you choose?
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Hi everyone, looking for some advice.

I currently drive a BYD Seal U DM-i Boost, which has been a fantastic car overall. My only real complaint is that it’s quite slow, and I’d ideally like something with a bit more power and performance.
I’ve recently changed jobs, and my new employer requires me to have a company car. This means I’ll be getting rid of my privately leased Seal U and choosing between the Sealion 7 Excellence and the Seal U DM-i Comfort.
Initially, the Seal U Comfort works out cheaper per month. However, with the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax increasing to 18% from 2028, the overall monthly cost eventually becomes very similar to the Sealion 7 Excellence.
This is where I’m struggling to decide.The Sealion 7 Excellence appeals to me because of its performance, technology and overall specification. However, my biggest concern is the significantly reduced range compared with the Seal U DM-i, which can cover much longer distances thanks to its petrol engine.
On the other hand, the Seal U is something I’m already familiar with, and I love the practicality and flexibility of the hybrid system. I’m just not sure whether I’d regret choosing another one when I could have the much quicker Sealion 7 for roughly the same money.
For those who own a Sealion 7, particularly the Excellence:
How are you finding the real-world range, especially during winter?
Have you found switching from a hybrid or petrol car to fully electric inconvenient?
Is the performance and driving experience worth sacrificing the extra range?
If you were in my position, which would you choose?
I’ll be keeping the company car for four years, so I’m trying to make the right long-term decision.
Would really appreciate everyone’s thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance! -
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I had the same dilemma moving from diesel Kodiak, Sealion 7 excellence or seal u. I've ordered the sealion, after 4 test drives, it's just so much more comfortable for going long trips, and it has 239kw charging. 20 mins for 300km range. On my 2 days driving it, mix of rural and motorway, 20c weather, it happily did 19kw/100 Kms with climate control on. So 400km to 450, but 400 before charging. I'd be light footed but I was a bit more sporty that day
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@chris_ev_melb Quick update after testing this exact setup on my commute today—everything is still working flawlessly and efficiency has actually improved by about 0.4 kWh/100km now that the tyres and brakes are fully bedded in.
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@craig_b_syd Appreciate you sharing the exact numbers and settings here—so much clearer than the generic info in the owner's manual!
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@chris_ev_melb Just wanted to thank everyone in this thread! Followed the steps in the second post this morning and it sorted the issue out in less than 10 minutes. Saved me a trip to the service centre.
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