The BYD Sealion 8 isn’t Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV, but it’s among them.
BYD has announced a base price of $56,990 before on-road costs for the large crossover SUV, which translates to a drive-away price of $60,773 in New South Wales.
That undercuts the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid ($59,990 before on-roads, $65,430 in NSW) but puts it above the (admittedly significantly smaller) Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid ($45,990 to $49,990 drive-away).
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Orders are now open, ahead of deliveries commencing before the end of March.
The Sealion 8 is BYD’s largest SUV yet in Australia, and its first to feature three rows of seating.
PricingModelPrice before on-road costs2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD$56,9902026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD$63,9902026 BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD$70,990Drivetrains and Efficiency
All BYD Sealion 8s feature double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension.
The base Premium FWD has variable frequency damping suspension, with all-wheel drive versions upgrading to BYD’s DiSus-C intelligent damping suspension.
All Sealion 8s have a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, allowing you to power small electrical appliances.
SpecificationsSealion 8 FWDSealion 8 AWDEngine1.5L turbo 4cyl1.5L turbo 4cylEngine outputs110kW + 220Nm110kW + 220NmElectric motor outputs200kW + 315Nm200kW + 315Nm (front)
200kW + 360Nm (rear)System outputs205kW + 315Nm359kW + 675NmBattery19.0kWh lithium iron phosphate35.6kWh lithium iron phosphateDrive typeFront-wheel driveAll-wheel driveKerb weight2315kg2580kg0-100km/h (claimed)8.6 seconds4.9 secondsFuel economy (claimed)1.1L/100km (battery over 25%)
5.3L/100km (battery under 25%)1.0L/100km (battery over 25%)
6.3L/100km (battery under 25%)Electric driving range (NEDC)103km152kmMax AC charge rate11kW11kWMax DC charge rate40kW74kWFuel tank capacity60L60LFuel requirementTBATBACO2 emissionsTBATBAEmissions standardEuro 5Euro 5Braked towing capacity750kg750kgDimensions
The BYD Sealion 8 is a large, seven-seat crossover SUV.
DimensionsBYD Sealion 8Length5040mmWidth1996mmHeight1760mmWheelbase2950mmCargo capacity270L (third row up)
960L (third row folded)
1960L (second and third rows folded)Servicing and Warranty
The BYD Sealion 8 is backed by a six-year, 150,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.
Service pricing has yet to be announced.
Safety
The BYD Sealion 8 has yet to be tested by independent safety authority ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
Adaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency brakingBlind-spot monitoringChild presence detectionDriver distraction and fatigue detectionIntelligent speed limit assistFront cross-traffic assistRear cross-traffic assistLane-keep assistEmergency lane-keep assistTraffic sign recognitionSurround-view cameraFront and rear parking sensorsFront, side and curtain plus driver’s far side airbagsTyre pressure monitoring
An emergency call function will come in March 2026 via an over-the-air software update.
Standard Equipment
There are three members of the local Sealion 8 lineup.
The Dynamic FWD comes standard with the following equipment:
20-inch alloy wheelsHankook 255/50 R20 tyresTyre repair kitAdaptive LED headlightsCornering lightsPanoramic sunroof with power sunshadePower tailgateRain-sensing wipers with built-in washer jetsRear privacy glassKeyless entry and start with key fob, NFC card, BYD digital keyEco, Normal, Sport and Snow drive modesElectronic parking brake with auto hold10.25-inch digital instrument cluster15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto2GB of included data per month for the first two yearsOver-the-air updatesNap, camping and car wash modes50W wireless phone charger3-zone climate control with 2nd and 3rd row air vents10-speaker sound systemLeatherette upholstery6-way power-adjustable front seatsHeated and ventilated front seatsLeatherette-wrapped steering wheel4-way steering column adjustment2 x USB-C outlets (front)1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A outlet (second row)
The Dynamic AWD comes standard with the following equipment:
21-inch alloy wheelsGoodyear 265/45 R21 tyresDiSus-C intelligent damping suspensionPerforated brake discs and fixed calipers front and rearMud and Sand drive modes
The Premium AWD adds:
26-inch head-up displayLeather upholstery8-way power driver’s seatMassaging front seats with 4-way power lumbar, power-adjustable leg restsMassaging, heating and ventilation for outboard second-row seatsHeated steering wheel21-speaker DiSound sound systemMulti-colour ambient lightingFootwell lightingMemory for mirrorsColours
The Sealion 8 has a limited colour palette.
Aurora White is standard, with the following exterior paint finishes available for an extra $1500:
Cosmos BlackDark AquamarineRidge Grey
All models have a black interior.
MORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 8 showroom
