BYD SEAL 7 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid; Hybrid Warfare
The Toyota Camry Hybrid has been a major player in the PHEV category in the UAE. Well, here comes some worthy competition from BYD. The BYD SEAL 7 is here to take on the Camry. But does this new Chinese kid have what it takes to outperform the Japanese kingpins? Find out as we compare the performance, interior, safety, and driver assistance tech of the BYD SEAL 7 vs the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
But before we do that, let’s shed some light on Toyota and BYD.
Toyota
Toyota is a global leader in hybrid vehicle technology and continues to innovate in fuel efficiency. The Camry Hybrid features Toyota’s advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive system for optimised performance. It combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to reduce fuel use and emissions.
The system automatically switches between power sources based on driving conditions. Although not a plug-in hybrid, the Camry Hybrid still offers strong efficiency. Drivers enjoy smooth acceleration and quiet operation in daily use.
Toyota focuses on reliability and long-term value in its hybrid lineup. The Camry Hybrid remains a popular choice for eco-friendly sedans.
BYD
BYD is a leading Chinese automaker known for its innovations in electric and hybrid vehicle technology. The SEAL 7 DM i is a plug-in hybrid sedan combining electric power with a fuel engine. It uses BYD’s DM i system, which focuses on efficiency and long electric driving range.
The vehicle can operate on electric power alone for daily city commutes. When needed, the gasoline engine provides extended range and additional power. This combination makes it flexible for both short and long trips. BYD emphasises sustainability and advanced mobility solutions.
BYD SEAL 7 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid; Editor’s Opinion
The Toyota Camry has been the most popular hybrid sedan in the UAE in recent years. We are familiar with Toyota’s reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency. But the Chinese are here with unconventional tech-loaded vehicles offering premium features at an affordable price.
Yes, the BYD SEAL 7 has a smaller price tag than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The BYD SEAL 7 starting price in the UAE is AED 109.900. On the other hand, the Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan starting price in the UAE is AED 123,900. Read this BYD SEAL 7 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid comparison till the end to see which one is a better deal.
Performance
Let’s compare the performance of these hybrid sedans side-by-side:
| Specs | BYD SEAL 7 | Toyota Camry Hybrid |
| Engine | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Forced Induction | Turbocharged | Naturally Aspirated |
| Electric Motor | 17.6 kWh BYD Blade Battery | Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor |
| Displacement | 1500cc | 2500cc |
| Transmission | E-CVT | E-CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Power | 270 hp | 184 hp |
| Torque | 315 Nm | 221 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 8.0 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 16.1 km/l | 19.6 km/l |
| Weight | 1900 kg | 2100 kg |
As we can see, the BYD has more power, and a turbo in addition to the 17.6 kWh BYD Blade Battery. However, the Toyota Camry Hybrid still managed to beat its fuel efficiency. There is also not much of a difference in the 0-100 times.
Interior
Let’s talk about the interior and comfort of these cars:
| Specs | BYD SEAL 7 | Toyota Camry Hybrid |
| No. of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Seat Material | Premium Sensatec Leather seats | Leather seats |
| Paddle Shifters | Unavailable | Optional |
| Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic | Tri-Zone Auto Air Conditioning |
| Multimedia | 8.8″ Instrument Panel + 15.5” Rotating Centre Screen | 8” instrument cluster + 12.3” central screen |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Wireless | Available |
| Wireless charging | 50W wireless charging | Standard |
| Ambient Lighting | 31-colour flowing ambient lighting | Unavailable |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Sound System | 12-precision tuned Dynaudio Speakers | 6/9 speaker JBL Sound System |
| Seat Functions | Power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats (front) | Power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats with lumbar support |
| Boot Capacity | 430 liters | 427 liters |
When it comes to seat comfort, the Camry takes the lead, but in almost all other interior features, the BYD SEAL 7 is the winner. Yet, it doesn’t come with paddle shifters, and it has only a dual-zone climate control system compared to the tri-zone climate control system in the Camry. The BYD SEAL 7 vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid comparison is intensifying as we delve deeper.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Now, we will compare the safety and driver assistance features of the SEAL 7 and Camry Hybrid:
| Specs | BYD SEAL 7 | Toyota Camry Hybrid |
| Airbags | 6 | 10 |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Standard | Standard |
| Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) | Standard | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| ISOFIX | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Power Steering (EPS) | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Standard | Standard |
| Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) | Standard | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Standard | Standard |
| Hill Start Assist (HSA) | Standard | Standard |
| Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | Standard | Standard |
| Traction Control (TRC) | Standard | Standard |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | Standard | Optional |
| Lane Departure Assist | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Change Assist | Standard | Optional |
| 360 Cameras | Standard | Optional |
| Parking Sensors | Standard | Standard |
The BYD SEAL 7 ticked all of our boxes in terms of safety and driver assistance features. The Toyota Camry Hybrid was also not far behind, with many features being offered in higher variants.
Conclusion
This sums up our BYD SEAL 7 vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid comparison. We hope you enjoyed reading this comparison. Which one of these hybrid sedans seems a better value-for-money option to you? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.