The “New F7” might not be the most creative name for BYD’s->ke4952 latest sedan,->ke142 but the Chinese car rolls out with an impressive laundry list of technology->ke1701 features not normally found on budget-friendly family haulers. The New F7 is BYD’s new take on the original F7, which itself was an impressive car. It sported a dual-clutch transmission, a smart key system that provided car location details, a voice-controlled sound system, and a decent in-dash infotainment system.

Now the New F7 (literal in its nomenclature, for now) is packed with adaptive xenon headlights, a heads-up display, a 10.2-inch LCD touchscreen in the dash, a 12.1-inch LCD screen for the gauge cluster, 12 airbags, a 500 GB removable in-dash hard drive, a panoramic-view camera system, a smart-key embedded in a wrist watch, and a literal remote controller for parking from a distance.

For several years now, BYD has been trying to break into the North American market and it seems the automaker is closer than ever. Whether that will happen within the next few model years has yet to be determined, but with technology-laden cars like the New F7, it might be easier than ever.

Click past the jump to read more about the BYD New F7.

Exterior

The New F7 has a surprising look about it. Its unique styling helps it stand apart from its future U.S. rivals, though it won’t likely win any beauty contests. While it may not be a pageant winner, the New F7 holds its own. The chrome grille, shapely headlights, and detailed side accents add plenty of character.

Large, 17-inch alloy wheels dressed in satin chrome match several other accents around the outside of the car. Dual, chrome-tipped exhaust pipes help make the rear of the car feel sportier.

The New F7 also comes with a panoramic camera system that stitches together the images of cameras on each side of the car for a bird’s-eye view of what’s around. The system works much like Nissan’s Around View monitor.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Inside the New F7 is where much of the technology lies. The 10.2-inch touchscreen in the center dash hosts all the infotainment menus while the massive 12.1-inch LCD screen behind the steering wheel shows all the car’s vital information like speed, engine revs, fuel level, and engine information.

A 500 GB removable hard drive lives in the center stack and can be taken out if needed. Five hundred gigs means the owner can store up to 1,000 HD movies or 10,000 songs.

Occupants are all treated to comfortable seating. The front seats have memory settings for multiple drivers and the rear seats enjoy their own HVAC vents -- something not all cars have, even today.

Drivetrain

Under the hood lies a 1.5-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder making 151 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The engine uses direct fuel injection and variable valve timing to help achieve its power and fuel efficiency. An alloy construction of the engine helps save weight while providing a strong structure for all the moving parts. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Drivetran/Specifications

Prices

While BYD has yet to announce any prices for the New F7, we can expect it to target other midsize sedans in this class. Expect to see pricing start in the low- to mid-$20,000 range.

Competition

2015 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata has undergone some major changes for 2015, including its exterior, interior, and engine lineup. The car now sports a more grownup look than before while offering more fuel-efficient, yet powerful, engines.

A 2.4-liter engine is the volume seller and returns 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a horsepower rating of 185 and pound-feet of torque coming in at 178. A 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine is the fuel miser of the group, getting roughly 38 mpg highway. For those looking for more sport, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine is available with the Sport package. It puts out 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 comes in 7.5 seconds.

Pricing for the Sonata starts at $21,150 and rises to $33,525 for the top-trim Sport 2.0T Ultimate package.

2015 Toyota Camry

The Camry is also looking new for 2015 though all the changes are skin deep. A new exterior design and a refreshed interior keep the family sedan looking fresh. The Camry is powered by a 2.5-liter I-4, a 2.5-liter, I-4, hybrid powertrain, or the 3.5-liter V-6. All three systems offer good pep while offering different levels of power and fuel efficiency.

Pricing for the Camry starts at $22,970 and rises to nearly $32,000.

Conclusion

The BYD New F7 appears to be a decent product with loads of technology. The only caveat to the entire operation is BYD’s ability to prove its reliability to American buyers. A strong warranty like what Kia and Hyundai have is likely the best way BYD to prove its commitment to the U.S. consumer.