BYD SEALION 7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which should you buy?
The full picture
The BYD SEALION 7 starts at ₹41.90L against the Mercedes-Benz GLA's ₹51.80L ex-showroom Delhi, so it is ₹9.90L cheaper to get into.
They run together up to ₹55.00L, where the GLA tops out. Past that only the SEALION 7 has anything left to sell you, up to ₹55.90L.
Fuel is a real difference here: the SEALION 7 comes in electric, the GLA in petrol and diesel.
Same money, which car?
Take ₹55.00L to both showrooms and you come out with the SEALION 7 Premium at ₹49.90L or the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line at ₹55.00L, the SEALION 7 leaving ₹5.10L of that in your pocket.
Our take
- Choose the BYD SEALION 7 Premium if
- You would rather keep the ₹5.10L, and the EV running costs seal itOnly one here with11 airbagslevel 2 (full suite) ADASDynaudio premium sound system
- Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line if
- You will do long stints in this car and want the daily comfortsOnly one here withbi-LED projector headlampshill descent controldrive modes
SEALION 7 vs GLA, on paper
| Spec | BYD SEALION 7 | Mercedes-Benz GLA |
|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | ₹41.90L to ₹55.90L | ₹51.80L to ₹55.00L |
| Variants | 3 | 3 |
| Body type | Electric SUV | Compact Luxury SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Fuels | Electric | Petrol, Diesel |
| Boot | 500 litres | 425 litres |
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Fuel tank | - | 43 litres |
| Turning radius | 5.85 m | 5.7 m |
| Warranty | 6 years or 1,50,000 km | - |
The working behind our take
Here is everything that fed that read.
- Running costsThe SEALION 7 is electric, so it will be the cheapest of these to run
- PowerThe SEALION 7 Premium is the strongest of the two at 312.7 PS
- Extra featuresGLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Lineterrain modesauto headlamps
- Trade-offGLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Lineairbags (11 against 7)ADAS (Level 2 (full suite) against Level 1)Dynaudio premium sound system
The full story
Engine or equipment, and only you can price that: the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line asks ₹5.10L more for headlamps (Bi-LED projector against LED projector), but the BYD SEALION 7 Premium costs less and has the stronger engine, at the electric's 312.7 PS against the diesel's 190 PS. The useful extras on top: hill descent control and drive modes.
- The SEALION 7 is electric, so it will be the cheapest of these to run
- The SEALION 7 Premium is the strongest of the two at 312.7 PS
- Also on the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line: terrain modes and auto headlamps, and some minor trim beyond that
- Going to the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line, you give up airbags (11 against 7), ADAS (Level 2 (full suite) against Level 1) and Dynaudio premium sound system, which the SEALION 7 Premium keeps
Whichever you pick, the variant is where the money goes
SEALION 7 vs GLA: the questions people ask
- Is the BYD SEALION 7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA cheaper?
- The BYD SEALION 7, by ₹9.90L: it starts at ₹41.90L against ₹51.80L ex-showroom Delhi for the GLA. Both run well past that, so what you actually pay depends on the variant.
- BYD SEALION 7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which gives you more for the same money?
- At ₹55.00L it is the SEALION 7 Premium against the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line. Engine or equipment, and only you can price that: the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line asks ₹5.10L more for headlamps (Bi-LED projector against LED projector), but the BYD SEALION 7 Premium costs less and has the stronger engine, at the electric's 312.7 PS against the diesel's 190 PS. The useful extras on top: hill descent control and drive modes.
- Which is more practical, the BYD SEALION 7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA?
- On the figures the makers publish, the SEALION 7 swallows 500 litres of luggage against 425. Everything else about living with them, from boot shape to how the back seat actually feels, is a test drive question rather than a spec sheet one.
Prices are ex-showroom Delhi and change without notice. Specifications are compiled from public sources; always confirm with a dealer before buying.