2024 BYD Sealion 6: Everything you need to know about BYD’s first plug-in hybrid SUV in Australia

Pricing for the highly-anticipated BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid medium SUV will start at $48,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level front-wheel drive Dynamic.

The flagship Premium all-wheel drive will be priced from $52,990 plus ORCs.

The Sealion 6 is the first ICE-powered vehicle to be sold by the Chinese brand in Australia and is expected to be its top seller.

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It follows three BYD battery electric vehicles into the Aussie market – the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal – and will be followed by the BYD Shark PHEV ute before the end of 2024.

The Sealion 6 signals the start of a concerted product roll-out of up to five new models each year as BYD and local distributor EVDirect strive to double sales each year for the next three years to 100,000 sales via a Toyota-rivalling comprehensive line-up of models.

So let’s break the BYD Sealion 6 down into its constituent parts and see what we’re being sold.

What is the 2024 BYD Sealion 6?

It’s a five-seat five-door medium SUV powered by BYD’s own fourth-generation DM-I (Dual-Mode intelligence) plug-in hybrid system as both front-wheel and all-wheel drive (more on the mechanicals below).

Both the Dynamic and Premium measures up at 4775mm long, 1890mm wide, 1670mm high and have a 2765mm wheelbase.

Compared to Australia’s most popular medium SUV, the Toyota RAV4, it is at least 160mm longer, 25mm wider, 15mm lower and 25mm shorter in the wheelbase.

The Sealion 6 claims a minimum 425 litre litre boot capacity with all seats upright, expanding to 1440 litres. The RAV4 claims 580 litres with all five seats upright.

Verdict: Right-sized.

How does it compare on price?

Medium SUV is the biggest new vehicle segment in Australia today. The key electrified opposition for the 2024 BYD Sealion 6 are:

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: The market leader is priced from $42,260 to $51,410 plus ORCs as a front-wheel drive plugless (petrol-only) hybrid. Its pricing stretches from $45,260 to $58,360 as an all-wheel drive plugless hybrid.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: As a fellow plug-in the Outlander shapes as the Sealion 6’s closest technical rival. Prices for its four model AWD range of PHEVs ranges from $57,290 to $71,790 plus ORCs.

Nissan X-Trail e-Power: Award winner with three range-extender hybrid AWD models priced from $49,990 to $58,490 plus ORCs.

Kia Sportage Hybrid: Two new FWD models priced at $45,950 and $55,420 plus ORCs.

Honda CR-V e:HEV: Single highly-specced FWD ‘RS’ model priced at $59,900 drive-away.

Tesla Model Y: Okay, it’s an EV not a hybrid, but it’s only (just) outsold by the RAV4 so is very relevant. Pricing starts at $63,500 plus ORCs for the RWD base model.

Verdict: Very competitive

The powertrain package

The 2024 BYD Sealion 6’s DM-i petrol-electric hybrid system is designed to run primarily as an electric vehicle. The petrol engine acts as a generator and only drives the wheels directly at high speed.

The Dynamic is powered by a front-mounted 145kW/300Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor and a 72kW/122m ‘Xiaoyun’ 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The combined outputs are 160kW/300Nm. The electric range (100-25 per cent state of charge) is claimed to be 92km – which is lengthy for a PHEV – and BYD claims the combined range is up to 1100km.

Combined fuel consumption is claimed to be 1.1L/100km (ADR) and energy comsumption 16.9kWh. The Dynamic is claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

The Premium employs a 150kW/300Nm front e-motor and another 120kW/250Nm e-motor at the rear.

A turbo-petrol 1.5-litre ‘Xiaoyun’ engine contributes 96kW/220Nm and combined outputs are 238kW/550Nm.

The electric range is 81km, average fuel consumption is 1.4L/100km (ADR) and energy comsumption 17.9kWh. The 0-100km/h time comes up in a claimed 5.9 seconds.

In typical PHEV fashion, the fuel consumption claims are likely to be optimistic because they don’t take into account the extra thirst generated when the battery is drained.

Neither vehicle will appeal to caravaners. The Premium can tow 1300kg braked and the Dynamic only 750kg.

Both vehicles employ an 18.3kWh BYD Blade battery – which uses the LFP battery chemistry popular on entry-level Teslas and all BYD EVs – and can plug in and recharge at up to 7kW AC and 18kW DC.

DC charging is unusual for PHEVs, because most only accept AC charging. Both Sealion 6s have a 60 litre fuel tank.

Both also get Eco/Normal, Sport and Snow drive modes, but the Premium adds mud and snow.

Verdict: Big claims

The chassis story

The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 comes with MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear independent suspension.

The steering system is electric assist, disc brakes are standard and both models roll on 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Giti 235/50 tyres. There is no spare tyre, but there is a repair kit.

Kerb weights are 1940kg for the Dynamic and 2100kg for the Premium. That compares to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which ranges between 2020kg and 2144kg.

Verdict: Orthodox

Safety

As yet there is no ANCAP safety rating for the 2024 BYD Sealion 6.

Both models get front, front-side, curtain and front-centre airbags.

Active driver assistants include autonomous emergency warning and braking front and rear, adaptive and intelligent cruise control, various forms of lane keeping, blind spot detection and traffic sign recognition.

Other safety technology includes a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and LED headlight high beam assist.

Verdict: Five-star ANCAP critical

Infotainment and technology

The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 includes 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that rotates between portrait and landscape in that signature BYD way.

Both models also include a 12.6-inch digital instrument panel.

But only the Premium gets a head up display projected onto the windscreen in front of the driver.

Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, AM/FM and digital radio are all standard, as is an Infinity 10-speaker audio system.

Satellite navigation with free maps for three years, music streaming and access to the BYD app store are other features. The Sealion 6 also has over the air updates.

There are USB-A and USB-C port fitted in both the front and second seating rows.

Verdict: Showroom selling points

Comfort and convenience

The headline act is vehicle to load capability ort V2L, which means you can plug stuff like a laptop or a coffee machine (as demonstrated at the media launch) into your 2024 BYD Sealion 6. This tech is very handy in a black out – we know!

Exterior-wise, the Sealion 6 comes with a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, a powered tailgate and keyless entry.

Inside you will find dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a multi-function steering wheel and seats trimmed in synthetic leather, a driver’s seat with eight-way power adjust and a four-way power adjust the front passenger seat.

Front seats are also heated and ventilated. The rear seats include a manually adjustable backrest angle.

Verdict: V2L adds to an expected list

Other stuff

There are six paint colours. Metallic paint options will set you back $900.

It also comes with two dual-colour interiors: black/brown and blue/grey (available for the ‘Premium’ model only).

The vehicle warranty is six years/150,000km, the battery warranty eight years/160,000km, service intervals are 12 months/20,000km and the first five services will cost $1600.

Watch out for our first drive review of the BYD Sealion 6 on Sunday May 19.