BYD’s first 7-seat SUV is cheaper than the Defender in the UK
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- BYD opened UK orders for the Ti 7, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV starting at £47,995 ($65,000) — about £23,845 less than the Land Rover Defender 110 PHEV, which starts at £71,840 ($97,000).
- The Ti 7 uses BYD's DM-p (Dual Mode performance) powertrain pairing three electric motors with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 402 hp (408 PS) combined and a 0–62 mph time of 4.8 seconds.
- The 35.6 kWh Blade Battery delivers up to 74 miles of pure-electric range under WLTP testing and up to 102 miles in city driving, versus the Defender PHEV's 31.1 miles.
- The Ti 7 is sold solely in flagship Excellence AWD trim, with standard acoustic glass, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front and outer second-row seats, and a built-in refrigerator and drinks warmer between the front seats.
- BYD is taking £500 pre-order deposits that it will match, with full details to be revealed soon and customer deliveries expected to begin in January 2027.
Why it matters: UK buyers now have a £47,995 seven-seat PHEV with 74 miles of electric range — more than double the Defender PHEV's 31.1 miles — for roughly £24,000 less, putting direct pressure on Land Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser pricing when Ti 7 deliveries start in January 2027.
