Hello everyone I trust you are all well and taking care of yourselves. Today, we are looking at an interesting SUV from BYD—Build Your Dreams—an aggressive Chinese shockwave in the Indian EV market. Well, before you start wondering why I’m discussing a Chinese brand here, let me be clear – I am not endorsing it. I’m simply sharing the facts. Its sale has been approved by the Indian government, and many have been purchasing it. My task is to let you know whether this car is worth your time.
Introducing the BYD Ceylon 7
By some, it’s Ceylon or Ceylon 7. I’ll stick with Ceylon 7. This one here is higher and is sort of the SUV sibling to the BYD Atto 3. It comes in two variants: Single motor on rear wheel drive RWD.All-wheel drive (AWD) with two motors. The battery on it is 82.5 kWh. BYD says that the RWD delivers a range of between 570 and 600 km, and the AWD between 500 and 520 km. But in real-world city driving, I have eked out some 400-odd to 450 km on the AWD version. City driving is helped by regenerative braking, which can extend the life of a battery pack and drive distance. A 150 kW DC fast charger can recharge the battery from 0 to 80% in just 30 to 35 minutes. At home, I cover the estimated range (of up to 425 kms) in 9-11 hours using the company’s 11 kW AC charger.
Design and Exterior Features
The Ceylon 7 has a coupe SUV stance, but is sleek and muscular. The design is an aerodynamic one, coming with functional air vents and a smart matrix LED headlamp set with integrated DRLs.Safety and convenience are built into the front cameras and parking sensors, radar sensors and Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, braking in response to emergencies and many more – for Level 2 autonomy. The compact SUV rides on 19-inch wheels as standard in the lower variants, and smart-looking 20-inch dual-tone alloys on the higher trims. There are flush door handles and auto-folding mirrors in the bargain, enhancing its sense of upmarket quality. The dimensions are expansive, with a body length of around 4.8m, a width of close to 1.9m and a wheelbase of 2.9m, guaranteeing plenty of space in the cabin area.
Interior and Comfort
Hopping inside, you’ll find the upscale feel doesn’t stop at the door. It’s soft-touch materials, leather and the odd metal accent here and there, while plastics are confined to the less clear sightlines. On the dashboard, it’s centred around a 15.6-inch touchscreen that rotates and works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blah, blah, blah, and, on higher trims, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and HUD heads-up display. Sporty in design, both front seats are full-power with lumbar support and ventilation capability. Because of the EV layout, there is no hump either in the rear, so that means amazing legroom and comfort for everyone. Other nice touches include the optional high-end Dynaudio 12-speaker sound system, wireless fast charging for two phones and the panoramic sunroof (with fabric shade that powers backwards to change the amount of light filtering into the cabin.
Performance and riding experience
You can expect 530 bhp and 670 Nm of torque from the electric motors under the bonnet, or more accurately, under the floorboard. This adds up to an exhilarating driving experience. You can quickly adjust the car’s characteristics to suit conditions with its four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow. Disc brakes provide abundant stopping power and are distinguished by red callipers. The electric sport utility’s silky, silent, instantaneous delivery of power makes city driving or highway cruising an absolute pleasure.
Practicality and
FeaturesBoot volume is some 500 litres, power operation for the opening , and a gesture control feature is included in the top version. Instead of a spare tire, there is a puncture repair kit — a common trend in today’s EVs.Rear passengers get separate AC vents and USB Type-C port with fast charging, ISOFIX mounts for child seat and a folding armrest with cup holders. The Ceylon 7 brings futuristic design, luxury and performance to market at a price point built to shake the segment of established luxury SUVs. It’s plush, tech-saturated and useful — and a serious contender for anyone looking at a luxury electric SUV. This is a car you need to take for a test drive if you’re looking for an EV that turns heads and backs it up in every way.