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BMW i4 vs BYD Sealion 7
Selected trimComfortChange trim300 mi · 82.5 kWh · £44,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the BYD Sealion 7 leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Best value
Too close to call
Range & charging
Too close to call
Practicality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the BYD Sealion 7 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i4 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BMW
5.9
BYD
6
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
4.1
BYD
3.1
FamilyBYD
BMW
6.4
BYD
8
ChargingBYD
BMW
3.7
BYD
5.9
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
4.1
BYD
0.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
3.2
BYD
2.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
- 66 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 1.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 39 Wh/km more efficient
- 850 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £53,405 | £44,990 (better) |
| Official range | 367 miles (better) | 300 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L | 520 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | 24 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i4
BYD Sealion 7
Length
BMW i44,783mm-47mm
BYD Sealion 74,830mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-73mm
BYD Sealion 71,925mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm-172mm
BYD Sealion 71,620mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,925 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 11.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 475 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 520 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1290 L | 1789 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | 58 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i4
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
BYD Sealion 7
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- At 4,830 mm, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  BYD Sealion 7 Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.83m+47mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.93m+73mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.19m+116mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.62m+172mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.93m+74mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | 157mm+32mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 520L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | 1789L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 58L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 11.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg (better) | 2,225kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh (better) | 82.5kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi (better) | 300 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 | £44,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2025+ |
* BMW i4: Launch figures. Cars built from July 2024 (facelift) have 81.3 kWh usable, 205 kW DC charging and up to 373 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles (better) | 300 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles (better) | 204 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 24 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km (better) | 199 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh | 82.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.7 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 230 kW |
| Torque | 430 Nm (better) | 380 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
BYD Sealion 7
Comfort
6.6/10
average across 6 reviews
- Parkers3.9/5
- Auto Express3.5/5
- Electrifying.com7/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i4
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £24,558 | £30,211 |
| Average used price | £28,930 | £30,993 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 8% over ~6 months | Up 11.3% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist64%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BYD Sealion 7 Comfort
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 250,000 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BYD Sealion 7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £28,9502023Car360View
- £25,6992024Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
BYD Sealion 7
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i4 worth the extra £8,415 over the BYD Sealion 7?
The BMW i4 costs £8,415 more than the BYD Sealion 7. For that premium it adds 66 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and a 1.0s quicker 0-62mph time. The BYD Sealion 7 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i4 or the BYD Sealion 7?
The BYD Sealion 7 is £8,415 cheaper to buy. The BMW i4 is cheaper to charge, roughly £176 a year versus £216 for the BYD Sealion 7, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Sealion 7 comes out roughly £8,215 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 204 miles for the BYD Sealion 7 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i4 goes roughly 57 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the BYD Sealion 7?
The BMW i4 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 73 mm narrower than the BYD Sealion 7. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 475 mm of total clearance for the BYD Sealion 7. The BYD Sealion 7 also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the BYD Sealion 7?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 90% for the BYD Sealion 7. That gives the BYD Sealion 7 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Sealion 7's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i4's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i4 (2021 on): eDrive35, eDrive40 or M50, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW i4 buyer’s guide: eDrive35, eDrive40, M50 and M60 compared, the battery recalls on early cars, warranty left, real-world and winter range, rear space, tyres, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Sealion 7 (2025 on): Comfort, Design or Excellence & What to Pay
A used BYD Sealion 7 buyer’s guide: Comfort RWD, Design AWD and Excellence AWD, the steep depreciation, BYD’s 8-year battery warranty, charging speeds, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .