Words: Kyle Cassidy
Published 24 August 2026
BYD is preparing to add another seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV to its New Zealand range, with the boxy Ti 7 included in the brand’s local product plans for 2027.
The large SUV will offer Kiwi buyers a more rugged-looking alternative to the Sealion 8, combining styling reminiscent of the Defender with all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid power.
BYD New Zealand head Warren Willmot confirmed the Ti 7 is locked in for a local introduction, although its arrival date and specifications remain under wraps.
“It’s in our product pipeline for 2027. We are still to confirm arrival dates and final spec for the NZ market, but yes, it’s one of the 15 plus models coming in the next 18 months,” Willmot said.
In China, the Ti 7 is sold under BYD’s Fangchengbao brand. That division also produces the Denza B5 and B8 off-roaders sold locally, but the Ti 7 takes a different approach beneath its squared-off bodywork.
Rather than using the heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis found under the B5 and B8, the Ti 7 has a car-derived platform intended to provide more road-friendly driving manners. It still adopts plenty of traditional off-roader styling cues, including an upright front end, prominent wheelarches and a tailgate-mounted storage box.
At 5146mm long, 1995mm wide and 1865mm tall, the Ti 7 is longer and taller than the BYD Sealion 8. Its generous exterior dimensions allow for three seating rows, although the boot capacity is rated at just 126 litres behind the third row.
Folding those seats increases the available space to 970 litres, while dropping the second row expands capacity to 1830 litres.
New Zealand specifications have yet to be confirmed, but international versions provide a useful indication of what local buyers could expect.
The Ti 7 is likely to combine a 110kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors, one mounted on each axle. The system reportedly produces a combined 300kW, allowing the large SUV to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds.
Chinese specifications list a 160kW front motor and a 200kW unit at the rear. A 35.6kWh battery fitted to a UK-specification version is said to provide around 120km of electric-only driving, although the testing standard hasn’t been specified.
The plug-in hybrid system appears similar in principle to that used by the all-wheel-drive Sealion 8. BYD says the petrol engine operates “for the most part” as a generator for the battery, although it can also drive the wheels directly when required.
Inside, the Ti 7 follows BYD’s familiar cabin formula with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.
Equipment available overseas includes leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and a panoramic glass roof. Heated and ventilated seats are offered for the front occupants and the two outer second-row passengers.
Other available features include an integrated refrigerator and an 18-speaker audio system, helping position the Ti 7 as a family-focused SUV rather than a stripped-back off-roader.
Final New Zealand pricing, model grades and powertrain details are expected to be announced closer to the Ti 7’s anticipated arrival in local showrooms during 2027.
