BYD undercuts Defender with its first 7-seat SUV in the UK

BYD is bringing its boxy, seven-seat SUV to Europe and the UK. The Ti 7 is now on sale in the UK, and it’s even cheaper than the Land Rover Defender PHEV.

BYD reveals Ti 7 prices and specs

The seven-seat arrangement is specifically designed for the European and UK markets, BYD said after opening orders for the Ti 7 on Friday.

The plug-in hybrid SUV is the first vehicle in the UK equipped with its DM-p (Dual Mode performance) powertrain, which BYD promises “vastly exceeds the closest competition.”

Based on its Super Hybrid DM technology, the setup uses three electric motors and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering a combined 402 hp (408 PS). As a result, the boxy SUV can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

The performance doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency. The engine primarily powers a 35.6 kWh BYD Blade Battery, which delivers a pure-electric driving range of up to 74 miles. In the city, it has an electric range of up to 102 miles.

The Ti 7 will be available in the UK solely in the flagship Excellence AWD trim. BYD said the model offers “a level of equipment that exceeds anything that its rivals can offer at this price point.”

The boxy, chunky design resembles popular SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser.

For a quieter ride, the windscreen and front windows are made from acoustic glass. Leather upholstery features are standard. Seat heating and ventilation are available for the front seats and the outer seats in the second row.

As a bonus, the Ti 7 even includes a built-in refrigerator and drinks warmer located between the driver and front passenger.

A 15.6″ infotainment screen, 10.25″ driver display, and immersive 18-speaker sound system are also standard.

The middle-row seats can be adjusted in four directions for added flexibility. With the second and third rows folded, the SUV offers a total boot capacity of 1,830 liters.

The Ti 7 is now available to order in the UK, starting at £47,995 ($65,000) on the road. That’s considerably less than the plug-in Defender 110, which starts at £71,840 ($97,000) in the UK. The Defender only offers a WLTP electric range of up to 31.1 miles.

Customers can pre-order it with a £500 deposit, which BYD will match. BYD said full details will be revealed soon. Customer deliveries are expected to begin in January 2027.