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BYD Sealion 7 vs Kia EV9
Selected trimComfortChange trim300 mi · 82.5 kWh · £44,990
Selected trimAirChange trim349 mi · 99.8 kWh · £66,645
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Sealion 7 leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Kia EV9 leads on motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Sealion 7 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Kia EV9 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV9 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6
Kia
4.6
Motorway RangeKia
BYD
3.1
Kia
6.2
FamilyBYD
BYD
8
Kia
6.1
ChargingKia
BYD
5.9
Kia
7.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Sealion 7
Comfort
- £21,655 cheaper
- 187 litres more boot space
- 80 kW more power
- 2.7s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.6 m tighter turning circle
- 1 more year of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £44,990 (better) | £66,645 |
| Official range | 300 miles | 349 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 333 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min | 24 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 9.4 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Sealion 7
Kia EV9
Length
BYD Sealion 74,830mm-185mm
Kia EV95,015mm
Width
BYD Sealion 71,925mm-55mm
Kia EV91,980mm
Height
BYD Sealion 71,620mm-160mm
Kia EV91,780mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,925 mm (better) | 1,980 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,189 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.7 m (better) | 12.3 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 475 mm spare (better) | 420 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 7 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 333 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1789 L (better) | 828 L |
| Frunk | 58 L | 90 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 900 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Sealion 7
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- At 4,830 mm, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
Kia EV9
- A 90 L frunk, one of 11 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 90 L or more.
- At 5,015 mm, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 3,100 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Sealion 7 Comfort |  Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.83m | 5.01m+185mm |
| Width | 1.93m | 1.98m+55mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.19m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.78m+160mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.93m | 3.10m+170mm |
| Ground Clearance | 157mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 333L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1789L (better) | 828L |
| Frunk | 58L | 90L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 7 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.7m (better) | 12.3m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,225kg (better) | 2,492kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 900kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82.5kWh | 99.8kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 300 mi | 349 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 210kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £44,990 (better) | £66,645 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 300 miles | 349 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 204 miles | 291 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 199 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 82.5 kWh | 99.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NCMA |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 800V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 9.4 sec |
| Power | 230 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Torque | 380 Nm (better) | 350 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Sealion 7
Comfort
6.6/10
average across 6 reviews
- Parkers3.9/5
- Auto Express3.5/5
- Electrifying.com7/10
Kia EV9
Air
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Sealion 7
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BYD Sealion 7 Comfort
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Kia EV9 Air
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Kia EV9Air |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Sealion 7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV9
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV9 worth the extra £21,655 over the BYD Sealion 7?
The Kia EV9 costs £21,655 more than the BYD Sealion 7. For that premium it adds 49 miles more WLTP range, 60 kW faster peak rapid charging and 2 more seats (7 versus 5). The BYD Sealion 7 is not just cheaper - it also offers 187 litres more boot space, 80 kW more power and a 2.7s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV9 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Sealion 7 or the Kia EV9?
The BYD Sealion 7 is £21,655 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £192 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Sealion 7 comes out roughly £21,535 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 204 miles for the BYD Sealion 7 and 291 miles for the Kia EV9 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV9 goes roughly 87 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-24 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Sealion 7 or the Kia EV9?
The BYD Sealion 7 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 55 mm narrower than the Kia EV9. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 475 mm of total clearance for the BYD Sealion 7 and about 420 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV9. The BYD Sealion 7 also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Sealion 7 or the Kia EV9?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Sealion 7 and 89% for the Kia EV9. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The BYD Sealion 7's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Kia EV9's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. The BYD Sealion 7 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV9.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BYD Sealion 7 comparisons
More Kia EV9 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV9 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Sealion 7 (2025 on): Comfort, Design or Excellence & What to Pay
A used BYD Sealion 7 buyer’s guide: Comfort RWD, Design AWD and Excellence AWD, the steep depreciation, BYD’s 8-year battery warranty, charging speeds, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV9 (2023 on): Which Version, Early Faults, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Kia EV9 buyer’s guide: Air, GT-Line or GT-Line S, six or seven seats, the seat-bolt and brake recalls, early electrical faults, the 7-year warranty, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .