BYD Sealion 7 vs Toyota Fortuner
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.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 7 starts from $54,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Fortuner opens at $53,775. That makes the Toyota Fortuner the more affordable entry point by $1,215.
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 $59,153 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 7 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota Fortuner, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 7 and Toyota Fortuner hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 7 and 95% for the Toyota Fortuner.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Sealion 7 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the Toyota Fortuner.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Sealion 7 and 7 in the Toyota Fortuner.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 7 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Fortuner gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 7 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Dynaudio audio that you will not find on the Toyota Fortuner. The Toyota Fortuner counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 7 gets leather upholstery while the Toyota Fortuner offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Sealion 7 and 1-zone in the Toyota Fortuner.
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 Toyota Fortuner responds with a Diesel making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 7 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 7 is 2.8s quicker. 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, 35mm longer than the Toyota Fortuner at 4,795mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 7 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Sealion 7 and 200L in the Toyota Fortuner, giving the BYD Sealion 7 a 200L advantage. The Toyota Fortuner seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Toyota Fortuner leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 2,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 (Toyota Fortuner). The BYD Sealion 7 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 7 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Fortuner if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 7 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 Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner is the cheapest at $53,775 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $1,215.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Fortuner uses the least fuel at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 7 and Toyota Fortuner 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 400L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Fortuner has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
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. 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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