BYD Sealion 7 vs Kia EV3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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 20 Sep 2026, price 10 Sep 2026
Track the BYD Sealion 7 & Kia EV3
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 7 starts from $50,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia EV3 opens at $47,600. That makes the Kia EV3 the more affordable entry point by $3,390.
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 $56,089 and $52,360 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the BYD Sealion 7 and 83% for the Kia EV3.
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 Kia EV3.
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 Kia EV3.
Recalls on our record
BYD Sealion 7
None open on our record
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
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.
How long to charge
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). 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 Kia EV3 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 head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Dynaudio audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV3. 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 Kia EV3 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 Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 7 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Sealion 7 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82.6kWh (BYD Sealion 7) vs 58.3kWh (Kia EV3), giving WLTP ranges of 482km and 436km.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 7 measures 4,830mm long on a 2,930mm wheelbase, 530mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 7 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the BYD Sealion 7 and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the BYD Sealion 7 a 40L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m 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 10.4m 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 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV3). The Kia EV3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 7 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia EV3 if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 7: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 72, but the Kia EV3 is $3,390 cheaper
The BYD Sealion 7 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 72), taking 5 of 7 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (BYD Sealion 7 ahead by 28), energy efficiency (Kia EV3 ahead by 19), performance (BYD Sealion 7 ahead by 17). If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 7 has a clear edge. The Kia EV3 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $3,390.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Sealion 7 has the most range at 482km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BYD Sealion 7 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 150kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 7 has the largest boot at 500L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 7 makes the most power at 230kW. The BYD Sealion 7 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
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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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