BYD DOLPHIN 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.

BYD DOLPHIN in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN

Premium Extended Range EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 602,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 310 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

BYD DOLPHIN vs BYD SEALION 7: the short answer

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

DOLPHIN starts ZAR 570,000 cheaper DOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900 · SEALION 7 from ZAR 1,109,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification DOLPHIN SEALION 7
Maximum Power DOLPHIN150 kW SEALION 7390 kW
Maximum Torque DOLPHIN310 Nm SEALION 7690 Nm
Engine Size DOLPHINNot Applicable SEALION 7Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy DOLPHINNot Applicable SEALION 7Not Applicable
Ground Clearance DOLPHIN155 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.

BYD DOLPHIN

Premium Extended Range EV

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

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)

DOLPHIN

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

SEALION 7

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

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

SEALION 7

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec DOLPHIN SEALION 7
Model Introduced Year 2024 2025
Generation First South African DOLPHIN generation First South African SEALION 7 generation
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 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 Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Compact Hatchback Medium SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Passenger vehicle
Spec DOLPHIN SEALION 7
Length 4290 mm 4830 mm
Width 1770 mm 1925 mm
Height 1570 mm 1620 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2930 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 163 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 130 mm 140 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 345 l 500 l
Kerb Weight 1658 kg 2340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2068 kg 2750 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 410 kg
Towing Capacity 0 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.25 m 5.85 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 980 mm
Rear Headroom 900 mm 940 mm
Front Legroom 1130 mm 1100 mm
Rear Legroom 740 mm 820 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This DOLPHIN 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: DOLPHIN 66 vs SEALION 7 100.

Efficiency index: DOLPHIN 90 vs SEALION 7 90.

Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN 98 vs SEALION 7 99.

Practicality index: DOLPHIN 56 vs SEALION 7 62.

Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN 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 12 points

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

Evidence leader 88 /100
Lead 12 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 12 points
76
#2

DOLPHIN

64% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Practicality 56
Performance 66
Efficiency 90
Safety 98
Practicality 56
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance SEALION 7 +34 Efficiency Level Safety SEALION 7 +1 Practicality SEALION 7 +6

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

DOLPHIN

Performance 66/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 56/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD SEALION 7 leads the specification evidence index with 88 pts vs 76 pts for DOLPHIN

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

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DOLPHIN 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.