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.
2.0D AT Executive AWDDiesel8-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 764,900ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW🔧 416 Nm⛽ 13.9 km/l
+Add a 3rd car
At a Glance — Who Wins What
⚡PerformanceSEALION 7
⛽Fuel EconomySEALION 7
🛡SafetySEALION 7
📦PracticalityTucson
🔑OwnershipNot enough comparable data
Tucson starts ZAR 541,000 cheaperSEALION 7 from ZAR 1,109,900 · Tucson from ZAR 568,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Maximum Power
390 kW
137 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque
690 Nm
416 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size
Not Applicable
1995 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Not Applicable
13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
163 mm
181 mm
Boot / Load Bay
500 l
540 l
Airbags
9
6
Kerb Weight
2340 kg
1720 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
SEALION 7 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Tucson.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
SEALION 7
+31 pts
Efficiency
SEALION 7
+34 pts
Safety
SEALION 7
+7 pts
Practicality
Tucson
+11 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
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
Tucson
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
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
Tucson
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Model Introduced Year
2025
2004
Generation
First South African SEALION 7 generation
Fourth generation Tucson on Hyundai's i-GMP platform; distinctive parametric design language makes it one of the more striking mid-size SUVs in SA
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Fourth generation launched in SA in 2021; major step change in styling, interior quality, and technology over the third-gen car
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2021
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
published
Segment
Medium SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Color Note
-
White, Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, Green
Dealer Stock Note
-
Executive grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
-
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0D AT Executive AWD
Tare Mass Kg
-
1720 kg
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Length
4830 mm
4630 mm
Width
1925 mm
1865 mm
Height
1620 mm
1665 mm
Wheelbase
2930 mm
2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
163 mm
181 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
140 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
54 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
540 l
Kerb Weight
2340 kg
1720 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2750 kg
2110 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
-
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.85 m
5.4 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
-
Rear Headroom
940 mm
-
Front Legroom
1100 mm
-
Rear Legroom
820 mm
-
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Engine
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1995 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Common Rail Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
390 kW
137 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque
690 Nm
416 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front + Rear
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
215 km/h
195 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.5 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Normal
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
166.7 kW/tonne
79.7 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
294.9 Nm/tonne
241.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
82.56 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
550.4 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
456 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
150 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
32 min (10-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front and rear electric drive units
AWD
LSD Available
Not Available
Yes
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
No
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Available
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
1
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Crystal-motif gearshift lever
8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
4WD / AWD
4WD Engagement
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
8-speed Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x4
All-Wheel Drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
7
Engine Position
-
Front
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
13.9 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
11.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
18.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
54 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
No
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
13.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
54
Combined Driving Range
456 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
21.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
375 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
400 km
Not Applicable
Distance To Empty
-
Yes
Low Fuel Warning
-
Yes
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Airbags
9
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Front & Rear
AEB
Standard
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Alarm System
-
Yes
Central Locking
-
Yes
Speed Alert System
-
Yes
Safety Rating
-
Not Rated (SA)
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
ESC With Traction Control
-
Yes
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
No
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
No
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Front & Rear
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Auto Lights
-
Yes
Eco Mode
-
Yes
EV Mode
-
No
Sport Mode
-
No
Emergency Braking
-
Yes
Parking Distance Sensors
-
Front & Rear
Parking Sensor
-
Front & Rear
Pre-Collision System
-
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
-
No
Rear View Camera
-
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
-
Yes
Reversing Camera
-
Yes
Surround View Camera
Standard
Yes
Spec
SEALION 7
Tucson
Seat Material
Nappa leather
Nappa Leather
Heated Seats
Standard
Front & Rear
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Front
Ambient Lighting
Standard
64-Colour Ambient
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-way electric
Power 8-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual
Seat Trim
Nappa leather
Nappa Leather
Seat Adjustment
-
Power 8-way
Steering Type
-
Electric
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt & Telescopic
Folding Rear Seats
-
60/40 Split
Front Armrest
-
Yes
Rear Armrest
-
No
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Cup Holders
-
4
Rear AC Vents
-
Yes
Rear USB Ports
-
2 USB-A + 2 USB-C
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Analogue + MID
Interior Colour Options
-
6
Door Map Pockets
-
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
-
Manual
Adjustable Front Seat
-
Manual
Cooled Seats
-
No
Fabric Seats
-
Yes
Front Headrest
-
Yes
Leather Seats
-
No
Memory Seats
-
No
Rear Headrest
-
Yes
Armrest Front
-
Yes
Armrest Rear
-
No
Boot Space Seats Down
-
1799
Driver Seat
-
Power 8-way
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
10.25-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, Bose premium sound on Executive, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
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
Tucson
Performance
69/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
73/100
Ownership
65/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆BYD SEALION 7
leads the catalogue index with 88 pts
vs 72 pts for Tucson
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, SEALION 7 leads. However, Tucson 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 SEALION 7 and Tucson 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: SEALION 7 100 vs Tucson 69.
Efficiency index: SEALION 7 90 vs Tucson 56.
Safety-equipment index: SEALION 7 99 vs Tucson 92.
Practicality index: SEALION 7 62 vs Tucson 73.
Ownership-cover index: SEALION 7 not separately scored vs Tucson 65.
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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