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BYD Sealion 7 vs Volvo EC40
Selected trimComfortChange trim300 mi · 82.5 kWh · £44,990
Selected trimSingle MotorChange trim300 mi · 70 kWh · £46,860
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Sealion 7 leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Volvo EC40 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs.
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 Volvo EC40 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EC40 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6
Volvo
5.4
Motorway RangeVolvo
BYD
3.1
Volvo
3.7
FamilyBYD
BYD
8
Volvo
6.8
ChargingVolvo
BYD
5.9
Volvo
7.1
Cost Per MileVolvo
BYD
0.8
Volvo
3.3
City DrivingVolvo
BYD
2.2
Volvo
4.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo EC40
Single Motor
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 32 Wh/km more efficient
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £44,990 (better) | £46,860 |
| Official range | 300 miles | 300 miles |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 404 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min (better) | 26 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Sealion 7
Volvo EC40
Length
BYD Sealion 74,830mm
Volvo EC404,440mm-390mm
Width
BYD Sealion 71,925mm
Volvo EC401,873mm-52mm
Height
BYD Sealion 71,620mm
Volvo EC401,591mm-29mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,925 mm | 1,873 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,189 mm | 2,034 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.7 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 475 mm spare | 527 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 917 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 4 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 404 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1789 L (better) | 1310 L |
| Frunk | 58 L (better) | 31 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 1,500 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.
Volvo EC40
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Sealion 7 Comfort |  Volvo EC40 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.83m | 4.44m-390mm |
| Width | 1.93m | 1.87m-52mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.19m | 2.03m-155mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.59m-29mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.93m | 2.70m-228mm |
| Ground Clearance | 157mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 404L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1789L (better) | 1310L |
| Frunk | 58L (better) | 31L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 917mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.7m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,225kg | 2,065kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 1,500kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82.5kWh (better) | 70kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 300 mi | 300 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 200kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £44,990 (better) | £46,860 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 300 miles | 300 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 204 miles | 206 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min (better) | 26 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 199 Wh/km | 167 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 82.5 kWh (better) | 70 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 230 kW (better) | 175 kW |
| Torque | 380 Nm | 420 Nm (better) |
| 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
- Electrifying.com7/10
- Auto Express3.5/5
Volvo EC40
Single Motor
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 - Volvo EC40 Single Motor
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist89%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Sealion 7Comfort | Volvo EC40Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Sealion 7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EC40
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo EC40 worth the extra £1,870 over the BYD Sealion 7?
The Volvo EC40 costs £1,870 more than the BYD Sealion 7. For that premium it adds 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and lower energy use, 167 versus 199 Wh/km. The BYD Sealion 7 is not just cheaper - it also offers 116 litres more boot space and 55 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EC40 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Sealion 7 or the Volvo EC40?
The BYD Sealion 7 is £1,870 cheaper to buy. The Volvo EC40 is cheaper to charge, roughly £184 a year versus £216 for the BYD Sealion 7, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Sealion 7 comes out roughly £1,710 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 Volvo EC40 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 204 miles for the BYD Sealion 7 and 206 miles for the Volvo EC40 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-26 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Sealion 7 or the Volvo EC40?
The Volvo EC40 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 52 mm narrower than the BYD Sealion 7. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 527 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EC40 and about 475 mm of total clearance for the BYD Sealion 7. The Volvo EC40 also turns in a 0.7 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 Volvo EC40?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Sealion 7 and 84% for the Volvo EC40. That gives the BYD Sealion 7 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Sealion 7's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Volvo EC40's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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 Volvo EC40 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 Volvo EC40 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Volvo EC40 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Volvo EC40 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Volvo EC40 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Volvo EC40 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Sealion 7 and Volvo EC40 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 Volvo EX40 or EC40 (2024-on): Versions, the Braking Recall & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX40 and EC40 buyer’s guide: Single Motor, Extended Range and Twin Motor compared, real-world range, warranty left, the B-mode braking recall, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .