BYD Sealion 7 vs Hyundai Santa Fe
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 18 Oct 2026, price 14 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$54,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$54,400RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 7 starts from $54,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Santa Fe opens at $54,400. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $590.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $60,489 and $59,840 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 7 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai Santa Fe does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 7 and Hyundai Santa Fe hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the BYD Sealion 7 and 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Sealion 7, against 6 on the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Sealion 7 and 7 in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Recalls on our record
BYD Sealion 7
None open on our record
Hyundai Santa Fe
- REC-006657 · published 9 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the anchorage tensioner stopper for the seatbelts in the front seating positions may lose tension.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2026
- REC-006589 · published 20 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail to illuminate the visual vehicle speed, fuel level and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006072 · published 9 Sep 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the airbag wiring harness under the rear passenger seat may not have been adequately secured.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 12 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
82.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 7 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Santa Fe gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 7 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, V2L, Dynaudio audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Hyundai Santa Fe counters with Apple CarPlay and BOSE audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 7 gets genuine leather upholstery while the Hyundai Santa Fe offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The BYD Sealion 7 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 380Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe responds with a Petrol making 206kW and 422Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The BYD Sealion 7 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 206kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 7 measures 4,830mm long on a 2,930mm wheelbase, matching the Hyundai Santa Fe at 4,830mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 7 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the BYD Sealion 7 and 642L in the Hyundai Santa Fe, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 142L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 5.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m to 11.7m
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 7) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe). The BYD Sealion 7 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 7 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 7: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 75, but the Hyundai Santa Fe is $590 cheaper
The BYD Sealion 7 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 75), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (Hyundai Santa Fe ahead by 20), fuel economy (BYD Sealion 7 ahead by 14), value (BYD Sealion 7 ahead by 11). If boot space matters, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a clear edge. The BYD Sealion 7 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Sealion 7 and Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $54,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $590.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses the least fuel at 9.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BYD Sealion 7 and Hyundai Santa Fe all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 642L with the seats up (1,949L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Sealion 7 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 7 makes the most power at 230kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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