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BMW iX3 (2021-2025) vs BYD Sealion 7
Selected trimPremier Edition · 2021Change trim279 mi · 80 kWh · £58,850
Selected trimComfortChange trim300 mi · 82.5 kWh · £44,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX3 stays competitive across the board, while the BYD Sealion 7 leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Sealion 7 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Sealion 7 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBYD
BMW
4.7
BYD
6
Motorway RangeBYD
BMW
2.2
BYD
3.1
Family
BMW
7.6
BYD
8
Too close to call
ChargingBYD
BMW
3.8
BYD
5.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £58,850 | £44,990 (better) |
| Official range | 279 miles | 300 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 510 L | 520 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 34 min | 24 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.8 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Align by:
BMW iX3
BYD Sealion 7
Length
BMW iX34,734mm-96mm
BYD Sealion 74,830mm
Width
BMW iX31,891mm-34mm
BYD Sealion 71,925mm
Height
BMW iX31,668mm
BYD Sealion 71,620mm-48mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,734 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,891 mm (better) | 1,925 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,668 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.1 m | 11.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 509 mm spare (better) | 475 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 510 L | 520 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1560 L | 1789 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | 58 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
BYD Sealion 7
- One of 33 of 233 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 iX3 Premier Edition |  BYD Sealion 7 Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.73m | 4.83m+96mm |
| Width | 1.89m | 1.93m+34mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.19m |
| Height | 1.67m | 1.62m-48mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.93m+66mm |
| Ground Clearance | 179mm | 157mm-22mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 510L | 520L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1560L | 1789L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 58L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.1m | 11.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,260kg | 2,225kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 80kWh | 82.5kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 279 mi | 300 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £58,850 | £44,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2021 | 2025+ |
* BMW iX3: Euro NCAP applied its 2017 BMW X3 rating to the iX3 after extra checks in 2021. That rating expired on 1 January 2024.
* BMW iX3: WLTP range on 20-inch wheels; the 19-inch M Sport is rated a little higher.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 279 miles | 300 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 196 miles | 204 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 34 min | 24 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 195 Wh/km (better) | 199 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 74 kWh | 82.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.8 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 210 kW | 230 kW (better) |
| Torque | 400 Nm (better) | 380 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX3
Premier Edition
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
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.
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 iX3Premier Edition | BYD Sealion 7Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £29,663 | £30,211 |
| Average used price | £29,663 | £30,993 |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | 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 iX3 Premier Edition
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist58%
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 iX3Premier Edition | 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 iX3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BYD Sealion 7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX3
- £29,6632021Car360View
BYD Sealion 7
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX3 worth the extra £13,860 over the BYD Sealion 7?
The BMW iX3 costs £13,860 more than the BYD Sealion 7. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Sealion 7 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX3 or the BYD Sealion 7?
The BYD Sealion 7 is £13,860 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £216 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Sealion 7 comes out roughly £13,860 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 iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 196 miles for the BMW iX3 and 204 miles for the BYD Sealion 7 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 34 minutes in the BMW iX3 and 24 in the BYD Sealion 7, so the BYD Sealion 7 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX3 or the BYD Sealion 7?
The BMW iX3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 34 mm narrower than the BYD Sealion 7. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 509 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX3 and about 475 mm of total clearance for the BYD Sealion 7. The BYD Sealion 7 also turns in a 0.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX3 or the BYD Sealion 7?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX3 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 iX3'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.
More BMW iX3 comparisons
More BYD Sealion 7 comparisons
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 iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and BYD Sealion 7 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX3 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 iX3 (2021-2025): Premier Edition or M Sport, Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW iX3 (2021-2025) buyer’s guide: Premier Edition and M Sport trims compared, the battery recalls, warranty left, real-world and winter range, the 750 kg towing limit, 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 .