The BYD Sealion 6 vary has been upgraded with revised, Australia-specific suspension tuning, however the large information is definitely round additional pricing changes for this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-sized SUV.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2024 BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD
Now, with the prevailing least expensive PHEV gone (goodbye, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross), and a readjustment of the lineup with the addition of a brand new Important grade, the model behind the Sealion 6 is exhibiting its bold intentions within the Australian market.
And let me inform you, BYD is in for much more success. That is already Australia’s hottest plug-in hybrid automobile, and it simply acquired even higher.
How does the BYD Sealion 6 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the BYD Sealion 6 towards equally sized autos.
BYD
Sealion 6
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 6 price?
There are nonetheless two variations of the BYD Sealion 6 obtainable in Australia, however the base variant is now known as the Important (beforehand Dynamic) and it has been de-specced to be even cheaper and extra approachable for fleet and personal patrons alike.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 BYD Sealion 6 Important | $42,990 |
| 2025 BYD Sealion 6 Premium | $52,990 |
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What’s the BYD Sealion 6 like on the within?
It’s honest to say the inside follows the rulebook for contemporary SUV design… in most methods, at the least.
For some, the brown and black inside ending that’s commonplace in all grades is not going to be all that agreeable, however for those who select the high-grade Premium variant examined right here, you will get it with a lighter trim combo. I might.
The design of the seat trim is a bit odd, however the seats themselves are snug and supply a great quantity of adjustment. They’re electrically adjustable for the driving force and passenger, and on this grade you get heating and cooling up entrance, too. Nonetheless, no Sealion 6 comes with seat place reminiscence, so when you have an enormous disparity between driver’s heights, it is perhaps a bit annoying to maintain setting and resetting.
The playbook for the remainder of the cabin is just about as anticipated… once more, nearly. There’s no different model in Australia that has a rotating touchscreen, with the huge 15.8-inch central show capable of be positioned in portrait or panorama orientation. For those who’re utilizing smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) it’s going to should be in panorama, although.
The expertise within the touchscreen is extra useable and learnable than loads of different new autos out there. And like many, it nonetheless has no bodily controls beneath the display screen for air flow or quantity, however there’s a quantity scroll wheel between the seats, and the demister switches are there, too.
There’s a bar on the backside of the display screen for local weather and fan menus, however for those who don’t need to muck round with that you need to use the steering wheel controls to regulate the fan pace and temperature, which is a plus.
Or you need to use the voice management system within the automotive, which is method higher than another examples. I used it a number of instances, utilizing the command ‘Hey BYD, activate the driving force’s seat air flow’, and inside seconds my bottom was being chilled. The voice management system is able to lots of of instructions.
Again to the display screen, although. There are a number of menus and sub-menu screens obtainable to undergo, out of your charging settings to security system changes, to show and quantity setup, and lighting and locking techniques. You will want to get to phrases with all of it, however critically, it’s less complicated than many different ‘software-derived autos’ on the market.
The cabin storage is first rate as nicely, with bottle holders within the doorways, an affordable glovebox, cupholders between the seats, a lined centre console bin, and within the top-spec Sealion 6 you get a pair of wi-fi telephone chargers, too.
One other plus for this top-end variant is the inclusion of an excellent head-up show, which is giant however one way or the other unobtrusive. You don’t get that within the base mannequin, however all variations have an honest digital instrument cluster for the driving force.
The again seat house is a pleasant place to be, too, with directional air-vents and USB-C and USB-A ports for charging, plus storage nooks on the seatbacks, bottle holders within the doorways, and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Grownup occupant house is nice, as nicely. At 182cm/6’0”, I managed to suit behind my very own driving place with inches of house in entrance of my knees, some toe-wiggle house, and headroom to spare.
The massive glass roof has a curler shade cowl, so you may shut it up if the climate is simply too heat, and open it as much as maintain the youngsters quiet. Talking of, there are twin ISOFIX youngster seat anchors and three top-tether factors, and also you’ll match two child seats within the again comfortably, and three at a squish.
The boot house is a little bit smaller than some rivals, at simply 425 litres. That’s much like SUVs within the class beneath, nevertheless it’s not a deal-breaker for sensible packers (or you possibly can simply get a roof storage pod). Fold down the rear seats and there’s 1440L of cargo house to make use of.
Beneath the boot flooring, although, there’s no spare wheel. This automotive makes do with a tyre restore package. It additionally lacks any purchasing bag hooks within the cargo zone, which is a miss.
| Dimensions | BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD |
|---|---|
| Size | 4775mm |
| Width | 1890mm |
| Peak | 1670mm |
| Wheelbase | 2765mm |
| Cargo capability | 425L (5 seats) 1440L (2 seats) |
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
As talked about, you’ve acquired the selection of two totally different powertrains within the BYD Sealion 6 vary: the front-wheel drive entry-level variant, or the all-wheel drive flagship.
| Specs | BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 96kW/220Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 150kW/300Nm (entrance) 120kW/250Nm (rear) |
| System outputs | 238kW/550Nm |
| Battery | 18.3kWh BYD Blade (LFP) |
| Transmission | Single-speed discount gear |
| Drive kind | AWD |
| Weight (kerb) | 2100kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 5.9 seconds |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 1.4L/100km |
| Electrical driving vary | 81km (100-25 per cent) |
| Gas tank capability | 60L |
| Gas requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 32g/km |
| Braked tow capability | 1300kg |
You is perhaps considering that the official mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine is exceptionally low, and also you’d be proper. However like most PHEVs, you need to consider it this fashion – you may get that for the primary 100km, however not the subsequent 100.
That’s as a result of the battery will likely be depleted to a state that it gained’t be potential to proceed in EV mode to the identical extent, and also you’ll must depend on the petrol engine to maintain going, in flip growing the quantity of petrol you employ.
I did greater than 250km of testing throughout my week with the Sealion 6 Premium AWD, and located that it lined 80km on EV alone, earlier than switching to HEV hybrid mode for the rest.
On check, I noticed a displayed common gasoline use of simply 5.3L/100km, which is healthier than you’ll get in a standard hybrid like a Toyota RAV4, in my expertise.
It’s additionally higher than what BYD suggests is the anticipated common gasoline use when the battery is beneath a 25 per cent state of cost: 5.8L/100km is the declare in that occasion.
In earlier testing I’ve seen 90km of EV driving within the base FWD model with its barely decrease kerb weight and fewer highly effective petrol engine, and gasoline use of 4.9L/100km after the primary 100km of driving. The quantity BYD states for that model is 4.72L/100km.
Suffice to say, for those who cost it up usually and also you commute cheap distances, you’ll be capable of run this primarily as an EV, with a backup engine to maintain you going for these weekend journeys away.
No vary nervousness, both…!
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
How does the BYD Sealion 6 drive?
The massive information right here is that the Chinese language model has listened to some earlier suggestions on its suspensions system, and made adjustments to assist it meet Australian expectations higher than the sooner fashions did.
Now, I’ve to say, I used to be fairly tremendous with the experience within the earlier variations. Positive, they have been positively extra comfort-focused and fewer about physique management and cornering tenacity, however they provided a comfortable expertise in rougher conditions and felt tremendous whereas commuting.
The brand new suspension is certainly extra inflexible and provides higher cornering stability, and whereas it’s not as sharp a instrument as a Cupra Formentor or one thing like that, it’s improved in its dynamic capabilities on regular roads, and is a little more attractive to drive quick than the final model.
It nonetheless has barely much less predictable steering than some rivals, so it’s probably not the final phrase in dealing with. However I don’t assume it actually issues for the client that will likely be drawn to this automotive. It nonetheless steers with sufficient predictability to know what’ll occur subsequent, and there are just a few totally different modes you may play with to regulate the steering too.
The powertrain stays a extremely robust level for the BYD Sealion 6 Premium, with the additional grunt of the all-wheel drive model’s turbo-petrol engine making it a way more enthusiastic factor than the bottom mannequin, which I’ve additionally spent loads of time in.
It’s clean in its transition between EV and HEV hybrid modes, and when you actually need the powertrain to hustle, all of it comes collectively to get you from A to B fairly quickly. Bear in mind, the 0-100km/h time is simply 5.9 seconds, which matches the unique Honda NSX sports activities automotive!
The actual fact, there’s no energy interruption from a standard gearbox – the automotive has a discount gear, single-speed auto – which implies there’s no dilly-dallying on the lights or on the transfer, and it truly is impressively speedy in a mixture of conditions.
The one factor I’d counsel is that you simply be aware for those who’re dealing with downhill if you begin the automotive up and put it in reverse, because the auto maintain mightn’t have interaction until you’re actually planting the brake pedal down.
The all-wheel drive system actually makes its presence felt if you’re hustling this automotive. It has a great quantity of traction in bends, and there’s no front-wheel scrabble to talk of, even with the Giti tyres. They’re okay however not terrific, and the dealing with traits would little doubt be additional improved with a greater set of rubber.
It’s additionally comparatively quiet. The freeway and coarse-road experience isn’t too raucous, and fortunately there aren’t any of these invasive and interruptive warning chimes. Nicely, there are, however you may flip off the speed-sign recognition and warning system, and it’ll keep off (not like different vehicles that default again on).
There’s additionally no driver monitoring digicam, which is a plus in my view, as a result of it means there’s much less probability of really getting distracted and irritated. And whereas there’s a lane-keeping system, it’s not too intrusive both.
On the entire, the Sealion 6 is a really agreeable drive expertise. Once more, it’s not essentially the most partaking or dynamic SUV, nevertheless it is a little more encouraging than the sooner variations.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
As talked about, the earlier Dynamic grade has been changed by the Important, and the brand new cheaper price level is accompanied by a discount in some commonplace tools – although the bottom mannequin remains to be very nicely kitted out for the money.
2025 BYD Sealion 6 Important tools highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 235/50 R19 Giti tyres
- Tyre restore package
- Panoramic sunroof
- Matte roof rails
- One-touch energy tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electrically adjustable, heated mirrors
- Keyless entry and begin
- NFC card key
- Privateness glass – rear
- LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- LED tail-lights
- Sequential rear indicators
- Artificial leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.8-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen
- AM/FM/DAB radio
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Bluetooth telephone, audio streaming
- Music streaming apps
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Voice assistant
- BYD app retailer
- Over-the-air updates
- 6-speaker sound system
- 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A – entrance
- 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A – rear
- 12V accent socket
- Sun shades holder
- Artificial leather-wrapped seats
- 6-way energy driver’s seat
- 4-way energy passenger seat
- Heated, ventilated entrance seats
- Manually adjustable rear seat backrests
- Entrance twin cup holders
- Rear centre armrest incl. 2 x cupholders
- Metallic door sill protectors
- Entrance sunvisors with illuminated self-importance mirrors
- LED entrance studying mild
- LED rear aspect studying lights
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rear central air vents
Sealion 6 Premium provides:
- Extra terrain modes
- Mud + Sand
- All-wheel drive
- 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 10-speaker Infinity sound system
- 2 x wi-fi telephone costs – 15W
- 8-way energy driver’s seat
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Auto-dimming inside mirror
- Head-up show
- Soundproof glass – entrance
- ‘Dynamic’ ambient lighting with rhythm perform
- PM2.5 filtration system
It is usually price noting that the Premium is the one grade obtainable with the no-cost elective Blue and Gray inside trim. The usual end is brown and black as seen in these photographs. And the Azure Blue paint as proven on this tester is not obtainable.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
Is the BYD Sealion 6 protected?
The BYD Sealion 6 has a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing carried out by Euro NCAP in 2023.
| Class | BYD Sealion 6 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Susceptible street consumer safety | 83 per cent |
| Security help | 75 per cent |
Commonplace security options embody:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection
- Bicycle owner detection
- Junction detection
- Little one Presence Detection
- Door Open Warning
- Entrance collision warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Entrance cross-traffic help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Excessive beam help
- Clever pace restrict info, management
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Rear collision warning
- Visitors signal recognition
Select the Important 2WD, and also you get a reversing digicam and rear parking sensors.
Go for the range-topping Premium AWD, and that parking help consists of entrance sensors and a surround-view digicam with a number of digicam modes.
There are seven airbags fitted to the BYD Sealion 6 – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance aspect, and full-length curtain protection.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 6 price to run?
BYD’s Australian importer, EVDirect, covers the BYD vary with a six-year, 150,000km automobile guarantee and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years, 150,000km 8 years, 160,000km (HV battery) |
| Roadside help | 1 12 months (then service-activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months, 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 11 years |
| Whole capped-price service price | $4669 |
| Common capped-price service price | $424 |
These working prices are maybe a bit dearer than a completely electrical SUV, however cheaper than an equal petrol SUV and even some hybrid options.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Sealion 6
If you need a mid-sized SUV and also you’re unsure if going full-electric is correct, then the Sealion 6 could possibly be the best choice for you.
It has a helpful EV vary, loads of spec and tech, and a extra reasonably priced worth than another medium SUV with this sort of smarts.
No surprise it’s the best-selling PHEV in the marketplace. It deserves to be.
Inquisitive about shopping for a BYD Sealion 6? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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MORE: Every part BYD Sealion 6