The 2026 BYD Leopard 7 PHEV (Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 DM) now comes with a larger 50 kWh Blade battery, launched on 18 August 2026 as the Tai 7 DM Long-Range Edition. The 315 km 2WD Max costs ¥195,800 ($28,800) and the 300 km 4WD Ultra ¥225,800 ($33,200). Pure-electric CLTC range rises from the earlier 135-200 km to 315 km (2WD) and 300 km (4WD), DC charging power increases from 73 kW to 158 kW, and combined CLTC range exceeds 1,400 km (2WD) and 1,300 km (4WD) thanks to a 60-liter petrol tank paired with the 1.5T four-cylinder generator. The 2WD system produces 200 kW (268 hp); the 4WD adds a rear motor for 360 kW (483 hp) and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The PHEV sits alongside the Tai 7 BEV, which starts at ¥199,800 — only about ¥4,000 above the PHEV’s entry price. Confirmed in this refresh: full English-language UI at launch, integrated tan Nappa cabin, electric panoramic glass roof, and integrated rear refrigerator.
Performance & Specs
The Leopard 7 PHEV uses BYD’s DM 5.0 architecture: a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 115 kW (154 hp) paired with a 200 kW electric motor for 2WD, or with an additional rear motor for 4WD. Total system output is 200 kW (268 hp) in the 2WD and 360 kW (483 hp) in the 4WD, which sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Both trims now carry a 50 kWh Blade LFP pack (previously 26.6 or 35.6 kWh) for 315 km (2WD) or 300 km (4WD) of CLTC EV-only range. Combined CLTC range exceeds 1,400 km (2WD) and 1,300 km (4WD) via the 60-liter fuel tank.
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | PHEV — 2WD (DM-i) or 4WD (DM-p) configurations |
|---|---|
| SYSTEM POWER | 268 hp (200 kW) 2WD / 483 hp (360 kW) 4WD |
| 0-100 KM/H | 4.5 s (4WD) |
| TOP SPEED | 190 km/h |
| BATTERY | 50 kWh Blade LFP (315 km EV 2WD / 300 km EV 4WD) |
| COMBINED RANGE | Over 1,400 km (2WD) / over 1,300 km (4WD), CLTC |
| FUEL TANK | 60 L |
| ENGINE | 1.5T 4-cylinder, 115 kW / 154 hp peak |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,999 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,865 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mm |
| Ground clearance | 210 mm |
| Approach / Departure | 28° / 26° |
The PHEV shares the body with the new BEV variant: 4,999 mm long on a 2,920 mm wheelbase, with the same Defender-meets-G-Wagen silhouette, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and chunky external bumpers. Ground clearance is 210 mm with 28-degree approach and 26-degree departure angles, plus 600 mm wading depth on AWD trims. Cargo measures 1,000 liters with the rear bench up, expanding to 1,900 liters with the second row folded — identical to the BEV sibling. The PHEV does not get the 201 L frunk that’s available on the BEV variant; that space is occupied by the 1.5T engine and its ancillaries. 20-inch wheels with 255/55 R20 Eco-harmony all-terrain tires are standard.
| LENGTH | 4,999 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,995 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,865 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,920 mm |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 210 mm |
| WADING DEPTH | 600 mm (AWD trims) |
| CARGO VOLUME | 1,000 L (1,900 L seats folded) |
| FRUNK | None (occupied by 1.5T engine) |
| SEATING | 5 |
| WHEELS / TIRES | 20″ / 255/55 R20 all-terrain |
Charging & Battery
The Leopard 7 PHEV uses BYD’s in-house Blade LFP battery, now at 50 kWh in both long-range trims. Maximum DC charging power rises from 73 kW to 158 kW, cutting a 30-80% top-up to 13.9 minutes. The fuel tank holds 60 liters of petrol, which together with the larger battery gives a combined CLTC range of over 1,400 km (2WD) or over 1,300 km (4WD).
| BATTERY | 50 kWh BYD Blade LFP |
|---|---|
| DC FAST CHARGING | 158 kW peak |
| DC 30-80% TIME | 13.9 min |
Design & Interior
Exterior styling carries over identically from the BEV variant — same boxy Defender-inspired silhouette, tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel, side-opening tailgate, and traditional chrome door handles. The grille pattern differs slightly: the PHEV uses a more aggressive vented grille with active flaps for engine cooling (vs the BEV’s closed-grille EV signature). LED daytime running lights span the full width of the front fascia in a connected light bar configuration. Inside, the reviewer’s walkaround highlights the tan/cognac Nappa leather two-tone cabin, panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, integrated refrigerator in the rear armrest, and dual cupholders. Wireless charging is standard up front, and the central touchscreen runs BYD’s latest DiLink cockpit interface with confirmed English-language UI at launch.
Technology & Features
The PHEV runs BYD’s DiLink 100 cockpit with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P SoC, central 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster, and AR-HUD on the Max and Ultra trims. ADAS is provided by BYD’s God’s Eye B Level 2+ system (DiPilot 100) — the LiDAR-equipped flagship version is reserved for the Ultra AWD trim. Standard ADAS features include AEB, ACC, LKA, BSM, RCTA, 360-degree camera with off-road transparent chassis view, and Highway NOA. The reviewer specifically confirms English-language interface available out-of-the-box on the central display — a meaningful upgrade over the Chinese-only Datang/Big Tang sibling.
Safety & ADAS
| ADAS LEVEL | L2+ (God’s Eye B / DiPilot 100) |
|---|---|
| LiDAR | Optional on Ultra AWD trim |
| RADARS | 3 mmWave |
| CAMERAS | 11 HD |
| ULTRASONIC | 12 |
| ADAS FEATURES | Highway NOA, AEB, ACC, LKA, BSM, RCTA, 360° camera + off-road transparent chassis |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWERTRAIN | BATTERY | EV / COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 315 km Max 2WD | DM 2WD (single motor) | 50 kWh | 315 / 1,400+ km | ¥195,800 ($28,800) | 200 kW (268 hp), 158 kW DC peak, entry trim |
| 300 km Ultra 4WD | DM 4WD (dual motor) | 50 kWh | 300 / 1,300+ km | ¥225,800 ($33,200) | 360 kW (483 hp), 0-100 km/h in 4.5 s, Leopard Turn, top trim with optional LiDAR |
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Leopard 7 PHEV is on sale in mainland China in two trims: the 315 km 2WD Max at ¥195,800 ($28,800) and the 300 km 4WD Ultra at ¥225,800 ($33,200), both launched on 18 August 2026, with deliveries starting in early September. The Tai 7 BEV starts at ¥199,800. The original 2025-model trims with 26.6 and 35.6 kWh batteries, launched in September 2025 from ¥179,800, are listed as discontinued.
How It Compares
The Leopard 7 PHEV occupies a distinct position in the Chinese off-road SUV segment: roughly $11,000 cheaper than the more powerful Leopard 5 stablemate, about $10,000 cheaper than the Tank 400 Hi4-T, and within about ¥4,000 of the BEV sibling’s entry price at the 2WD Max level. The PHEV’s combined CLTC range of over 1,400 km (2WD) is the strongest argument against the EV variant for road-trip buyers in markets without dense fast-charging coverage, and the 50 kWh pack now covers 315 km without the engine. For Chinese domestic buyers in second-tier cities and rural areas where fast-charging stations are still rare, the PHEV remains the more practical Defender-style choice.
- Entry price within about ¥4,000 of the BEV sibling — same Defender-style body with a petrol backup
- Over 1,400 km combined CLTC range (2WD) — ahead of the Tank 400 Hi4-T (1,000 km)
- 315 km EV-only range (2WD) covers daily commuting without burning fuel
- Full English-language UI confirmed at launch
- Tank-Turn / Leopard Turn maneuvering on AWD trims (3.3 m turning radius)
- Tan Nappa cabin + panoramic roof + integrated rear refrigerator on Max trims and above
- No frunk (vs 201 L on the BEV variant) — 1.5T engine occupies that space
- The 4.5 s 0-100 km/h time applies only to the 4WD Ultra; the 2WD Max is slower
- 158 kW DC peak charging is modest next to the BEV variant
- Combustion engine still requires 10,000 km oil-change intervals
- The 4WD Ultra at ¥225,800 ($33,200) costs more than the BEV’s ¥199,800 entry trim
The 2026 BYD Leopard 7 PHEV remains one of the stronger value plays among Defender-style off-road SUVs, and the new 50 kWh battery makes it far more usable as a plug-in: 315 km of EV range on the 2WD, over 1,400 km combined, and a faster 158 kW DC peak. It continues to make sense for buyers in markets where DC fast-charging infrastructure is patchy, for road-trip use cases where the combined CLTC range eliminates range anxiety, and for first-tier-city buyers who want a backup ICE powertrain just in case. The compromises — no frunk, modest DC charging, ongoing oil-change service intervals, and a price that now sits right next to the BEV’s — are the cost of the segment’s most flexible Defender-style powertrain. For families who want a boxy off-road SUV with no range anxiety, the Leopard 7 PHEV remains the default pick.
