BYD Sealion 7 vs Toyota RAV4
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.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 7 starts from $54,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota RAV4 opens at $45,990. That makes the Toyota RAV4 the more affordable entry point by $9,000.
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. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $54,990 for the BYD Sealion 7 and $50,872 for the Toyota RAV4.
The BYD Sealion 7 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota RAV4 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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 Toyota RAV4 gets a 10.5-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, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, V2L, Dynaudio audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota RAV4. 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 Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4 responds with a Petrol Hybrid making 143kW, paired to a cvt (e-cvt) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 7 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 143kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Sealion 7 is 1.7s 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, 230mm longer than the Toyota RAV4 at 4,600mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 7 generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m 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 11.4m 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 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota RAV4). 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 Toyota RAV4 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 7 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. 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 RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 by $9,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota RAV4 uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Sealion 7 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Toyota RAV4, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
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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