BYD expands EV lineup in Korea with new SUV, premium trim

BYD's SEALION 7 Plus / Courtesy of BYD Korea

BYD Korea is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the 2027 SEALION 7 and a new premium Plus trim, in a move to broaden its offerings in the urban SUV segment, the company said Thursday.

The newly introduced SEALION 7 Plus builds on the model’s balance of performance and space, adding a suite of premium features designed to enhance in-cabin comfort and driving satisfaction.

The company said the Plus trim replaces synthetic leather seats with natural Nappa leather and adds a driver’s seat memory function, a four-way power lumbar support system and a powered leg support to improve comfort on long drives. A driver's easy access function, which automatically adjusts the seat and steering wheel during entry and exit, is also included.

BYD Korea said the audio system has been upgraded with 12 speakers from Dynaudio, delivering a more immersive listening experience. The model also includes a head-up display that projects driving information onto the windshield and an automatically tilting side mirror that improves visibility when reversing.

First introduced to the Korean market in September 2025, the SEALION 7 is a coupe-style SUV in BYD’s Ocean lineup. The company said the model has recorded about 4,700 units in sales through March, serving as a key volume driver.

BYD Korea said all trims of the SEALION 7 come equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 system-on-chip, frequency adaptive damping suspension, a driver monitoring system, a 2.1-square-meter panoramic glass roof and a 50W wireless charging pad with cooling.

The starting price for the SEALION 7 is 44.9 million won ($30,500), while the Plus trim is priced at 46.9 million won, before subsidies. With national and local subsidies applied, the company said the effective purchase price in Seoul is expected to fall to the low 42 million won range and mid-44 million won range, respectively.

BYD Korea said it is strengthening its lineup following the earlier release of the SEAL rear-wheel-drive sedan and the DOLPHIN hatchback, and plans to continue expanding its offerings to meet evolving consumer demand in Korea.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.