BMW 4 Series Convertible vs BYD SEALION 7

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BMW 4 Series Convertible in South Africa

BMW 4 Series Convertible

M440i xDrive Convertible Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,642,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
BYD SEALION 7 in South Africa

BYD SEALION 7

Performance EV AWD 4.5S Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,319,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 390 kW 🔧 690 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BMW 4 Series Convertible vs BYD SEALION 7: the short answer

SEALION 7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 4 Series Convertible remains close.

SEALION 7 starts ZAR 36,600 cheaper 4 Series Convertible from ZAR 1,146,500 · SEALION 7 from ZAR 1,109,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 4 Series Convertible SEALION 7
Maximum Power 4 Series Convertible285 kW SEALION 7390 kW
Maximum Torque 4 Series Convertible500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm SEALION 7690 Nm
Engine Size 4 Series Convertible2998 cc SEALION 7Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy 4 Series Convertible12.5 km/l SEALION 7Not Applicable
Ground Clearance 4 Series Convertible140 mm SEALION 7163 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

BMW 4 Series Convertible

M440i xDrive Convertible

Hagalu editorial rating
3.7/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

BYD SEALION 7

Performance EV AWD 4.5S

Hagalu editorial rating
4.4/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

4 Series Convertible

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

SEALION 7

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

4 Series Convertible

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

SEALION 7

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 4 Series Convertible SEALION 7
Model Introduced Year 2020 2025
Generation G23 four-seat premium convertible related to the G22 Coupé but with body- and roof-specific packaging. First South African SEALION 7 generation
Facelift History Current updated G23-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible offered in South Africa with a fabric soft top. No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Convertible SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment Premium Convertible Medium SUV
Vehicle Type Car Passenger vehicle
Spec 4 Series Convertible SEALION 7
Length 4770 mm 4830 mm
Width 1852 mm 1925 mm
Height 1394 mm 1620 mm
Wheelbase 2851 mm 2930 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 163 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 125 mm 140 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 59 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 385 l 500 l
Kerb Weight 1965 kg 2340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2375 kg 2750 kg
Payload Capacity 485 kg 410 kg
Towing Capacity 1800 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 4 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 2 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 5.85 m
Front Headroom 997 mm 980 mm
Rear Headroom 942 mm 940 mm
Front Legroom 1049 mm 1100 mm
Rear Legroom 899 mm 820 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 4 Series Convertible and SEALION 7 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: 4 Series Convertible 97 vs SEALION 7 100.

Efficiency index: 4 Series Convertible 49 vs SEALION 7 90.

Safety-equipment index: 4 Series Convertible 92 vs SEALION 7 99.

Practicality index: 4 Series Convertible 55 vs SEALION 7 62.

Ownership-cover index: 4 Series Convertible not separately scored vs SEALION 7 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

SEALION 7 leads by 13 points

SEALION 7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 4 Series Convertible remains close.

Evidence leader 88 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 69% source coverage
88
#1 Evidence leader

SEALION 7

69% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 62
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 99
Practicality 62
Leads by 13 points
75
#2

4 Series Convertible

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 97
Efficiency 49
Safety 92
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance SEALION 7 +3 Efficiency SEALION 7 +41 Safety SEALION 7 +7 Practicality SEALION 7 +7

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

SEALION 7

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 62/100

4 Series Convertible

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD SEALION 7 leads the specification evidence index with 88 pts vs 75 pts for 4 Series Convertible

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEALION 7 leads. However, 4 Series Convertible may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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4 Series Convertible vs SEALION 7 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.