The electric vehicle (EV) market is heating up, and 2025 brings two Chinese contenders vying for your attention: the BYD Sealion 7 and the XPeng G6. Priced under $55,000 for their base models, these SUVs promise premium features, cutting-edge tech, and surprising performance—all at a fraction of Tesla’s cost. As a car reviewer with over a decade of experience testing EVs—from budget hatchbacks to luxury sedans—I’ve pitted these two against each other in a head-to-head showdown. From 0-100 km/h sprints to real-world practicality, here’s my detailed breakdown to help you decide which cheap Chinese EV reigns supreme.

Overview: BYD Sealion 7 vs. XPeng G6

Both SUVs target budget-conscious EV buyers, but their approaches differ:

• BYD Sealion 7 Primo (Base): $54,990, single rear motor, 230 kW (308 hp), 380 Nm, 82.5 kWh LFP battery, 400V architecture, 150 kW DC charging. Read more here
• XPeng G6 Standard Range (Base): $54,600, single rear motor, 190 kW (255 hp), 440 Nm, 66 kWh LFP battery, 800V architecture, 215 kW DC charging. Read more here

The Sealion 7 offers more power and range (claimed 550 km WLTP), while the G6 counters with faster charging and efficiency. Higher trims exist—Sealion 7 Performance ($63,990, dual-motor AWD) and G6 Long Range ($59,800, 210 kW)—but we’re focusing on the base models for value. Let’s dive into the details.

Exterior Design: Style Showdown

BYD Sealion 7

• Front: Sleek LED headlights, sequential indicators, and a bold grille scream futuristic flair. The 360-degree camera integrates seamlessly.
• Wheels: 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires on alloys—top-tier grip and aesthetics.
• Sides: Keyless entry with pop-out handles, tinted privacy glass, and a swoopy coupe-like profile.
• Rear: Full-width light bar, an aggressive diffuser, and a ducktail spoiler—elegant yet sporty.

XPeng G6

• Front: Massive daytime running lights and sequential indicators give a sci-fi vibe. Split headlights are bright but less refined.
• Wheels: 19-inch Pirelli P Zero tires—solid, but not as premium as Michelin’s EVs.
• Sides: Frameless windows and flush handles (no keyless entry—push-to-open only) look sleek but lack privacy glass.
• Rear: Blob-like design with huge indicators and low brake lights—oddly placed and less visible up close.

Winner: Sealion 7. Tinted glass and keyless entry are practical wins, and its cohesive design outshines the G6’s quirky rear.

Interior: Comfort and Tech Face-Off

BYD Sealion 7

• Front: A 15.3-inch rotating touchscreen dominates—snappy, with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and clever 3-finger climate controls. Faux leather seats offer 4-way lumbar and under-thigh support. The Dynaudio system is crisp.
• Materials: Soft touch everywhere, substantial door thunks, and ambient lighting elevate the premium feel.
• Storage: Dual cupholders (adjustable), huge center bin, USB-A/C, and a 12V socket. One wireless charger (with NFC spot) is a minor miss.
• Rear: Spacious but flat seats raise knees—less comfy on long drives. Armrest, vents, and USB ports are solid perks.

XPeng G6

• Front: A 14.9-inch touchscreen is equally responsive, with split-screen shortcuts and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. Seats lack lumbar but are heated/cooled, as is the “squirkle” steering wheel. X-Opera audio is good, not great.
• Materials: Soft-touch abounds, but it feels less unique than the Sealion 7—similar to other Chinese EVs (e.g., Zeekr X).
• Storage: Dual wireless chargers (with cooling), massive 12V socket, and big door bins. The sunroof lets heat in (manual cover only).
• Rear: Better thigh support, reclining seats, and a memory foam armrest make it more luxurious. USB-C charging trumps the Sealion’s A/C mix.

Winner: Split. Sealion 7 takes the front for luxury; G6 wins the rear for comfort.

Practicality: Boot and Beyond

• BYD Sealion 7: 520L boot (less wide than G6), but a frunk (50L est.), netting, and underfloor storage add versatility. A powered tailgate is standard.
• XPeng G6: 580L boot—wider and flatter, though no frunk. The subwoofer and 12V socket are basic amenities; cables clutter the underfloor space.

Winner: Tie. G6’s bigger boot suits cargo hogs; Sealion 7’s frunk and netting cater to organized families.

Battery and Charging: Tech Matters

• BYD Sealion 7: 82.5 kWh LFP battery, 150 kW DC charging (30-80% in ~25 mins), 11 kW AC. WLTP range: 550 km (real-world ~450-480 km).
• XPeng G6: 66 kWh LFP battery, 215 kW DC charging (30-80% in ~20 mins), 800V advantage shines. WLTP range: 435 km (real-world ~400 km).

Test Insight: G6’s efficiency (15.8 kWh/100 km vs. Sealion’s 20 kWh/100 km on highways) reflects its 800V edge. Sealion 7’s bigger battery offers more range, but slower charging lags.
Winner: G6. Faster charging and efficiency outweigh the range for most.

Performance: Shocking 0-100 Results

Using pro timing gear, I ran multiple 0-100 km/h sprints:

• BYD Sealion 7 Primo: 6.49 seconds (claimed 6.7s). Smooth buildup, 230 kW sustains speed past 60 km/h.
• XPeng G6 Standard Range: 6.69 seconds (claimed 6.6s). Punchy 440 Nm off the line (0-60 in 3.19s vs. 3.46s), but 190 kW fades at higher speeds.

Driving Feel:

• Sealion 7: Soft suspension, floaty but comfy. Heavy steering (artificial) and mild body roll in corners. Regen braking (standard/large) is weak—no one-pedal driving.
• G6: Firmer ride, more connected, less body roll. The steering is heavy, but four regen modes (up to X-Pedal) offer true one-pedal control.

Winner: Tie. Sealion 7’s raw speed surprises; G6’s torque and handling thrill.

Ride and Handling: Comfort vs. Confidence

• BYD Sealion 7: The soft tune soaks up bumps but feels heavy and floaty. Corners show body roll and the rear squats under hard acceleration. Adaptive cruise and lane-centering lag (software fixable).
• XPeng G6: Firmer suspension cuts roll, boosts cornering grip—rear stays planted. Road noise is higher, but visibility and adaptive cruise excel (best-in-class).

Test Note: On a tight corner, the G6’s back end stayed tame; the Sealion 7’s squirmed unexpectedly. G6 bottoms out less on big bumps.
Winner: G6. A firmer tune wins for engagement.

BYD Sealion 7 vs. XPeng G6: Specs Table

Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

The BYD Sealion 7 Primo wins—barely. Its faster 0-100 (6.49s), longer range (550 km WLTP), and premium front interior (plus frunk and keyless entry) edge out the G6. The softer ride suits families, though rear-seat comfort and slow charging disappoint. The XPeng G6 Standard Range fights back with superior charging (215 kW), efficiency (15.8 kWh/100 km), and a comfier rear—ideal for tech-savvy commuters or spirited drivers.

Who’s It For?

• Sealion 7: Families needing range and front-seat luxury.
• G6: Efficiency buffs and back-seat prioritizers.

Both are steals under $55K—I’ve tested EVs twice their price with less to offer. BYD’s refinement tips the scales, but XPeng’s 800V tech is a game-changer. Which wins for you? Comment below and subscribe for more EV showdowns!