The new BYD Ti7 is coming to Europe: How much will it cost and when will the Defender's Chinese rival arrive in Romania?
Chinese group BYD is expanding its offensive on the European market and directly attacking the segment of premium SUVs with a rugged look. The manufacturer's latest bet is the new BYD Ti7, a large hybrid SUV designed specifically to compete with established legends such as the Land Rover Defender or the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Although the model was initially unveiled last year in Thailand under the umbrella of adventure-focused brand Fangchengbao (where it is also known as the Titanium 7), BYD has officially confirmed that the vehicle will be sold in global markets exclusively under the brand's main logo. The first major stop in Europe will be the UK market, paving the way for the rest of the continent.
Robust design but refined road behavior
Unlike its Chinese siblings (the B5 and B8), which use a classic ladder frame chassis, the new BYD Ti7 is built on a unibody structure. This is exactly the same technical approach used by the current Land Rover Defender 110, offering a much better balance between "tough" aesthetics and dynamic comfort on the asphalt.
Visually, the Ti7 impresses with a massive silhouette, flanked by square wheel arches, two-level LED headlights and massive bumper protection elements. A dedicated spare wheel housing is located on the tailgate, completing the classic expedition vehicle look.
Here's how the new Chinese model compares to its main rivals on the market in terms of dimensions:
| Model | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) |
| BYD Ti7 | 5,146 | 1,995 | 1,865 | 2,920 |
| Land Rover Defender 110 | 5,018 | 2,008 | 1,967 | 3,022 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 4,825 | 1,931 | 1,969 | 2,890 |
The BYD Ti7 is marginally longer and narrower than a Defender 110, but offers a 7-seat interior configuration optimized for the European market, unlike the 5-seat version initially sold in China.
Over 600 HP and leading plug-in hybrid technology
The big news brought by the Ti7 in Europe is the debut of the DM-p (Dual Mode Performance) propulsion system, an advanced plug-in hybrid technology focused on high performance and intelligent all-wheel drive.
The system integrates:
- A 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.
- Two high-power electric motors (located on the front and rear axles).
- A 35.6 kWh Blade-type LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) technology battery, recognized for its structural safety.
This combination delivers a combined output of over 600 horsepower, propelling the massive SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Despite its size, the car promises a purely electric range of up to 127 kilometers (WLTP cycle), ideal for daily, emission-free urban commuting.
A minimalist and technological interior
The interior maintains the brand's modern line, offering a fully digital instrument cluster, generous central screens specific to the DiLink ecosystem, premium eco-leather finishes and two induction charging areas for smartphones. The top versions intended for global markets also include Level 2+ advanced assistance systems (ADAS) based on LiDAR sensors.
Availability and estimated price for Romania
Although the initial launch is scheduled for the UK by the end of this year, the model will gradually reach left-hand drive markets in Continental Europe.
Availability estimate in Romania: Given the rapid expansion of the official BYD network in Romania and recent launches (such as the Sealion compact SUV), we can expect the new BYD Ti7 to be available for order locally in the first half of 2027.
Regarding price, although in China or the Middle East the starting prices seem extremely competitive (the equivalent of approximately 40,000 – 45,000 USD), European import taxes, homologation regulations and the 19% VAT applied in Romania will radically change the equation.
Considering its top-of-the-range positioning and generous standard equipment, it is estimated that the BYD Ti7 will have a starting price in the Romanian market in the range of €65,000 – €75,000. Although it is a considerable amount, it remains significantly below the base price of an equivalent Land Rover Defender hybrid, offering an extremely tempting alternative in terms of price/performance ratio.