BYD Sealion 8 PHEV priced from $56,990: First seven-seat SUV from Chinese giant undercuts most rivals

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 EV Central team 332 Views 0 Comments BYD, BYD Sealion 8 priced, Sealion 8

Razor-sharp pricing has been confirmed for BYD’s first-ever seven-seat model sold in Australia, the plug-in hybrid 2026 BYD Sealion 8 SUV.

Priced from $56,990 before on-road costs, the Sealion 8 arrives squarely in the heart of the large family SUV segment.

It undercuts established players including the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, offering plug-in hybrid capability and a third row of seats at a noticeably lower entry price than many key rivals.

The Sealion 8 line-up comprises three variants: Dynamic FWD ($56,990), Dynamic AWD ($63,990) and Premium AWD ($70,990).

That pricing positions the entry BYD below the Toyota Kluger Hybrid (from about $62,000 before on-roads), Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (from around $57,000) and well under the Kia Sorento PHEV, which starts over $70,000.

The fellow-Chinese Chery Tiggo 8 ($45,990-$49,990 drive-away) is the only PHEV seven-seat SUV to undercut the new BYD on price.

Below we’ve listed the pricing for all three Sealion 8s and the cheapest rival PHEV or hybrid family seven-seat SUV offered by other brands.

Seven-seat electrified family SUV price comparison

Model	Powertrain	Price guide (before ORC)
BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD	PHEV	$56,990
BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD	PHEV	$63,990
BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD	PHEV	$70,990
Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban	PHEV	$45,900 (drive-away)
Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid Ultimate	PHEV	$59,990 (drive-away)
2026 Toyota Kluger GX Auto eFour	Hybrid	$62,410
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Auto 2WD	Hybrid	$57,650
2026 Kia Sorento S Auto 2WD	Hybrid	$56,630
2026 Kia Sorento S Auto 4×4	PHEV	$71,130
Mazda CX-80 P50e Touring AWD	PHEV	$75,250
Omoda 9 Virtue	PHEV	$61,990 (drive-away)

Known as the Tang L in China, the Sealion 8 is a very recent addition to BYD’s global portfolio, having only gone on sale in its home market last year. Australian customer deliveries begin in March following the opening of local orders.

All three Sealion 8 variants share the same body dimensions, measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm wide and 1760mm tall, riding on a 2950mm wheelbase.

That makes it physically larger than rivals such as the Kia Sorento, even if its more car-like styling gives it a less upright, traditional SUV stance.

Boot capacity is 270 litres as a seven-seater, 960 litres as a five-seater and 1960 litres as a two-seater.

Kerb weight starts at 2315kg and tops out at 2580kg. Braked towing capacity for the FWD is 1800kg and 2000kg for the AWDs.

Under the bonnet, every Sealion 8 uses BYD’s dual mode Super Hybrid plug-in system.

The front-wheel-drive Dynamic’s DM-i (Dual Mode-intelligent) pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a single electric motor and a 19.0kWh Blade Battery.

This combination deliveres a combined 205kW and 315Nm, a claimed 103km of electric-only driving (NEDC) and a 0–100km/h time of 8.6 seconds.

The claimed fuel consumption with battery state of charge above 25 per cent is a highly theoretical 1.1L/100km and 5.3L/100km with the SOC below 25 per cent.

The all-wheel-drive Dynamic and Premium Sealion 8’s DM-p (Dual-Mode-performance) system adds a second rear electric motor and a larger 35.6kWh battery, lifting outputs to 359kW and 675Nm.

BYD claims up to 152km of electric range (NEDC) and a 0–100km/h sprint of just 4.9 seconds. Fuel economy using the same SOC ratings as the DM-p are 1.0L/100km and 6.3L/100km.

A 60-litre fuel tank gives the Sealion 8 theoretical a combined driving range of more than 1000km.

Maximum DC recharging rate is 40kW for the DM-i and 74kW for the DM-p. All three AC recharge at up to 11kW and have vehicle to load (V2L) charging capability.

The Sealion 8 is underpinned by a combination of double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. The FWD comes with passive dampers and 20-inch rubber, while the AWDs upgrade to adaptive dampers and 21-inch alloy wheels and tyres.

Across the range, equipment highlights include a 15.6-inch rotating central touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, tri-zone climate control, nine airbags and a 360-degree camera system.

Higher-spec Premium adds upgraded audio, powered and massaging seats for both front and rear occupants, and additional comfort features.

BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD – equipment

Wheels/tyres

20-inch alloys (255/50 R20)
Hankook tyres

Safety & driver assist

Nine airbags
360-degree camera
Front and rear parking sensors (multi-zone)
Electronic parking brake, auto hold, stability/traction systems
Adaptive cruise control + lane assist suite (AEB, lane keep/departure, blind-spot, rear cross-traffic etc.)
Tyre pressure monitoring
Driver fatigue + distraction monitoring

Exterior

Full LED lighting package (headlights/DRLs/tail-lights etc.)
Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade
Integrated aluminium roof rails
Rain-sensing wipers (with built-in washer jets)
Heated/adjustable exterior mirrors (power retractable)
Power tailgate

Cabin, seating & comfort

7-seat layout
Synthetic leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
6-way electric driver seat + 6-way electric front passenger seat
Second-row 40:60 fold and third-row 50:50 fold
Automatic three-zone climate control
Second- and third-row ceiling air vents

Infotainment/tech

10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
15.6-inch touchscreen
Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
FM/AM + DAB radio
Voice assistant (English, four zones)
10-speaker audio system
4G-connected services + OTA updates
50W wireless phone charger
USB-C (front) + mixed USB in second row

Charging/energy

Max DC charge rate: 40kW
11kW AC charging
V2L function

BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD – adds over Dynamic FWD

Wheels/tyres

21-inch alloys (265/45 R21)
Goodyear tyres

Powertrain/chassis

Dual-motor AWD
Bigger battery
Higher DC fast-charging capability (74kW max DC vs 40kW for FWD)

BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD – adds over Dynamic AWD

Cabin & seating upgrades

Premium leather upholstery
8-way electric driver seat
Driver + front passenger seat memory and massage
4-way electric lumbar support (front)
Electric adjustable leg-rest (front seats)
Second-row outboard seat massage
Second-row outboard ventilation + heating

Tech upgrades

Audio upgrade: 21-speaker DiSound premium system

Exterior/convenience upgrades

Mirror memory + reverse dip function
Welcome light sequence
Multi-colour gradient ambient lighting
LED puddle lamps for all four doors

For all models, Aurora White paint is standard, with the following exterior paint finishes available for an extra $1500: Cosmos Black, Dark Aquamarine, Ridge Grey. All models have a black interior.