Changan Deepal S07 vs BYD SEALION 7

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Changan Deepal S07 in South Africa

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07 Electric Current
ZAR 995,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 320 Nm
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

Changan Deepal S07 vs BYD SEALION 7: the short answer

SEALION 7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Deepal S07 remains close.

Deepal S07 starts ZAR 114,000 cheaper Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900 · SEALION 7 from ZAR 1,109,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Deepal S07 SEALION 7
Maximum Power Deepal S07160 kW SEALION 7390 kW
Maximum Torque Deepal S07320 Nm SEALION 7690 Nm
Engine Size Deepal S07Not Applicable SEALION 7Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy Deepal S07Not Applicable SEALION 7Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Deepal S07165 mm SEALION 7163 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

SEALION 7

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

Deepal S07

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

SEALION 7

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Deepal S07 SEALION 7
Model Introduced Year 2025 2025
Generation First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration. First South African SEALION 7 generation
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07. No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Coupe SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment Battery-electric mid-size SUV Medium SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger car Passenger vehicle
Spec Deepal S07 SEALION 7
Length 4750 mm 4830 mm
Width 1930 mm 1925 mm
Height 1625 mm 1620 mm
Wheelbase 2900 mm 2930 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 163 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 140 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 445 l 500 l
Kerb Weight 2073 kg 2340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2490 kg 2750 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 410 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.75 m 5.85 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 980 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 940 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1100 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 820 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Deepal S07 and SEALION 7 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Deepal S07 65 vs SEALION 7 100.

Efficiency index: Deepal S07 90 vs SEALION 7 90.

Safety-equipment index: Deepal S07 92 vs SEALION 7 99.

Practicality index: Deepal S07 66 vs SEALION 7 62.

Ownership-cover index: Deepal S07 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 11 points

SEALION 7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Deepal S07 remains close.

Evidence leader 88 /100
Lead 11 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 11 points
77
#2

Deepal S07

58% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 65
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 66
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance SEALION 7 +35 Efficiency Level Safety SEALION 7 +7 Practicality Deepal S07 +4

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

Deepal S07

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 66/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD SEALION 7 leads the specification evidence index with 88 pts vs 77 pts for Deepal S07

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEALION 7 leads. However, Deepal S07 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

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Deepal S07 vs SEALION 7 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.