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.
Performance EV AWD 4.5SElectricSingle-Speed Reduction GearCurrent
ZAR 1,319,900ex-showroom
⚡ 390 kW🔧 690 Nm
+Add a 3rd car
At a Glance — Who Wins What
⚡PerformanceSEALION 7
⛽Fuel EconomySEALION 7
🛡SafetySEALION 7
📦PracticalitySanta Fe Hybrid
🔑OwnershipNot enough comparable data
SEALION 7 starts ZAR 140,000 cheaperSanta Fe Hybrid from ZAR 1,249,900 · SEALION 7 from ZAR 1,109,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Maximum Power
175.2 kW
390 kW
Maximum Torque
367 Nm
690 Nm
Engine Size
1598 cc
Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
13.3 km/l
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance
177 mm
163 mm
Boot / Load Bay
413 l
500 l
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
9
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
2340 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
SEALION 7 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Santa Fe Hybrid.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
SEALION 7
+28 pts
Efficiency
SEALION 7
+31 pts
Safety
SEALION 7
+10 pts
Practicality
Santa Fe Hybrid
+11 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Santa Fe Hybrid
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Catalogue-index leader
SEALION 7
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Santa Fe Hybrid
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
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
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2025
Generation
Current South African Santa Fe Hybrid listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
First South African SEALION 7 generation
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
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
Seven-seat SUV
SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.6T Hybrid Elite AWD 6AT
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
Active
Segment
SUV
Medium SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1980 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Length
4830 mm
4830 mm
Width
1900 mm
1925 mm
Height
1770 mm
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2930 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
177 mm
163 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
413 l
500 l
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
2340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2675 kg
2750 kg
Payload Capacity
695 kg
410 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
140 mm
Towing Capacity
-
1500 kg
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius
-
5.85 m
Front Headroom
-
980 mm
Rear Headroom
-
940 mm
Front Legroom
-
1100 mm
Rear Legroom
-
820 mm
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Multi-link
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Not Available
Dual-zone automatic
Power Windows
Not Available
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Wireless
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
2253 l
-
AC Type
Not Available
Dual-zone automatic
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Engine Warranty
4
-
Fuel Consumption Combined
7.5
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Accelerator 0 100
9.5 sec
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Source Model Column
santa-fe-hybrid
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
flagship
-
Variant Role
Flagship / premium derivative
-
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Engine
1.6-litre Turbocharged Petrol Hybrid
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Electric
Hybrid System
Self Charging Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1598 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
175.2 kW
390 kW
Maximum Torque
367 Nm
690 Nm
Combined Power
175.2 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
2
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Front + Rear
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
190 km/h
215 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
4.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
88.5 kW/tonne
166.7 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
294.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
82.56 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
550.4 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
456 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
150 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
32 min (10-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Gearbox
Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
4WD / AWD
Front and rear electric drive units
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Available
Number of Gears
6
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Crystal-motif gearshift lever
Drivetrain
4WD / AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Active on-demand all-wheel drive
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
6
1
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Claimed Mileage
13.3 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
10.7 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
15.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
13.3 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
67
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
456 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
21.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
375 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
400 km
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
9
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Standard
BA
Not Available
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Available
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Park Assist
Not Available
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
SEALION 7
Seat Material
Cloth
Nappa leather
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
8-way electric
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way electric
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Santa Fe Hybrid grade before assuming a feature is included.
Performance
SEALION 7 +28
Efficiency
SEALION 7 +31
Safety
SEALION 7 +10
Practicality
Santa Fe Hybrid +11
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
SEALION 7
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
62/100
Santa Fe Hybrid
Performance
72/100
Efficiency
59/100
Safety
89/100
Practicality
73/100
Ownership
65/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆BYD SEALION 7
leads the catalogue index with 88 pts
vs 73 pts for Santa Fe Hybrid
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, SEALION 7 leads. However, Santa Fe Hybrid may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
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.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This Santa Fe Hybrid 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: Santa Fe Hybrid 72 vs SEALION 7 100.
Efficiency index: Santa Fe Hybrid 59 vs SEALION 7 90.
Safety-equipment index: Santa Fe Hybrid 89 vs SEALION 7 99.
Practicality index: Santa Fe Hybrid 73 vs SEALION 7 62.
Ownership-cover index: Santa Fe Hybrid 65 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.
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