Snapshot
- 2024 BYD Sealion 6: Australian details confirmed
- First non-electric vehicle from BYD in Australia
- Positioned in RAV4 Hybrid territory with start price below $50,000
The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 midsize plug-in hybrid SUV has arrived in Australia with the Toyota RAV4 in its sights.
Formerly titled Seal U (it’s still called that in Europe), the Sealion 6 has likely been renamed to avoid confusion with the existing Seal electric sedan and tie it in with the similarly-sized but otherwise unrelated Sea Lion 07 EV unveiled in November 2023.
All versions sold in Australia will be fitted with BYD’s ‘Dual-Motor Intelligent’ (DM-I) petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, becoming the first non-electric vehicle from the Chinese carmaker. It’ll be joined by the Shark PHEV ute in the coming months.
The Sealion 6 is a rival to plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-60 and MG HS models, but it's priced closer to Australia’s top-selling conventional hybrid car, the RAV4.
Priced from $48,990 before on-road costs, the entry-level, front-wheel-drive Sealion 6 Dynamic almost matches the Toyota RAV4 XSE FWD ($48,910), while the top-of-the-range Sealion 6 Premium AWD is available for $52,990 – undercutting the RAV4 Cruiser AWD ($54,410).
A Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is between $57,290 and $73,790 before on-road costs, while a Mazda CX-60 PHEV is even dearer at between $73,600 and $86,800 plus on-road costs.
The MG HS PHEV – marketed as the HS Plus EV – is cheaper than the BYD Sealion 6 at between $43,690 and $46,690 drive-away, but there is an all-new HS due later this year with price rises likely.
The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic FWD delivers a 160kW/300Nm total system output from a 72kW/135Nm 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine and a 145kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor. It has an 8.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.
The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD swaps in a 96kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, along with a 150kW/300Nm front electric motor and a 120kW/250Nm rear electric motor, for a 238kW/550Nm total system output and a lower 5.9-second 0-100km/h time.
Combined fuel consumption for the Dynamic FWD is 1.1 litres per 100 kilometres and 24 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre driven, while the Premium AWD is rated at 1.4L/100km and 32g/km.
All versions have an 18.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate 'blade' battery – compared to 20kWh in the Outlander, 17.8kWh in the CX-60 and 16.6kWh in the HS – allowing for a 30 to 80 per cent top-up in 35 minutes on an 18kW DC fast-charger. It also has vehicle-to-load functionality.
Combined with a 60-litre fuel tank, there is a maximum combined driving range of around 1100 kilometres in ideal conditions – enough to drive from Melbourne to Sydney (and beyond) on one tank.
Measuring 4775mm long, 1890mm wide and 1670mm tall, with a 2765mm wheelbase, the five-seat Sealion 6 is similar in size to the Outlander and CX-60, and slightly larger than the RAV4.
Boot space is rated at 574 litres with the second-row in place or 1440L with the rear seats folded down.
2024 BYD Sealion 6 pricing
Model | Pricing |
---|---|
Dynamic FWD | $48,990 |
Premium AWD | $52,990 |
Prices exclude on-road costs. |
2024 BYD Sealion 6 features
2024 BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic features | |
---|---|
19-inch alloy wheels | Heated and ventilated front seats |
15.6-inch rotating infotainment system | Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Dual-zone climate control |
DAB+ digital radio | PM2.5 air purification system |
15-speaker Infinity audio system | Keyless entry and start with NFC card |
Built-in satellite navigation | Rear privacy glass |
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster | Auto-dimming rear-view mirror |
Dual 15-watt wireless phone chargers | Power-folding heated side mirrors |
Front and rear 18-watt USB-C charge ports | Panoramic sunroof |
Interior mood lighting | Electric tailgate |
LED exterior lighting | Rain-sensing wipers |
Sequential rear indicators | Front and rear parking sensors |
Puddle lamps | 360-degree camera system |
Black and brown leather-accented upholstery | Snow terrain mode |
Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat | Selectable drive modes: Eco/normal/sport |
Four-way power-adjustable passenger seat | Tyre repair kit |
2024 BYD Sealion 6 Premium features
In addition to Dynamic | |
---|---|
All-wheel drive | Optional blue and grey interior colour |
Head-up display | Additional terrain modes: Mud and sand |
2024 BYD Sealion 6 available colours | |
---|---|
Arctic white | Stone grey |
Harbour grey | Delan black |
Azure blue |
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