BYD is within the midst of an enormous new product onslaught in Australia, transferring into new segments throughout the board.
Along with including a teeny electrical metropolis hatchback, and enormous and splendid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) off-road SUVs beneath the brand new Denza model, the Chinese language automaker can be seeking to deliver PHEV energy to extra Australian households – particularly these with two or extra children.
Enter the 2026 BYD Sealion 8, the model’s first seven-seat SUV in Australia, which is poised to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger.
In typical style, the Chinese language electrified car specialist is drip-feeding info. So for now, we’re not fairly clear on how a lot the Sealion 8 will value when it arrives in native showrooms early subsequent yr.
What we do know is that there will likely be three variants, one with front-wheel drive and two with all-wheel drive, the latter providing a thumping 400kW of energy that’s claimed to propel you and the children from 0-100km/h in simply 4.9 seconds.
Ought to it begin within the $50,000 vary and high out within the mid- to high-$60,000 bracket, the Sealion 8 might actually take the struggle to these aforementioned family names.
To get a primary style, we attended the BYD-Denza Immersion Day on the outdated Holden proving floor in Lang Lang, Victoria, for a fast steer of the upcoming Sealion 8.
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 8 value?
As famous earlier, we don’t have pricing but, however we count on the entry-level variant to start out round $50,000-$55,000, and the Premium AWD flagship to hover across the $65,000-$70,000 mark.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD | $TBC |
| 2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD | $TBC |
| 2026 BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD | $TBC |
Whereas some may say that’s a bit a lot for a Chinese language car, that positioning would make the Sealion 8 considerably cheaper than the equal Kluger Hybrid, which additionally isn’t a plug-in hybrid, whereas the expanded Kia Sorento PHEV vary kicks off from $70,880 for the bottom S AWD.
All variations will provide over 100km of EV driving vary (NEDC), which can be round double what the plug-in Kia affords.
You would additionally examine the Sealion 8 to the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV), although the Mitsubishi is smaller and technically in a measurement class beneath the BYD (in addition to the Kia and Toyota).
However for the report, the pre-facelift Outlander PHEV was priced from $58,740 for the bottom ES, and topped out at $73,790 for the flagship GSR. Pricing and specs for the facelifted Outlander PHEV are but to be introduced for Australia.
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What’s the BYD Sealion 8 like on the within?
The Sealion 8’s cabin blends numerous parts from different fashions within the vary, specifically the PHEV Sealion 6 and electrical Sealion 7 mid-size SUVs.
BYD has made an effort to make the Sealion 8’s cockpit really feel somewhat extra upmarket, with loads of soft-touch surfaces, parametric particulars on the sprint insert, and large tablet-style in-car shows.
To be trustworthy, apart from getting a common feel and look for the cabin inside a 15-20 minute window, I didn’t get a lot time to poke and prod round in it to essentially get a correct breakdown.
That mentioned, we’ll want far more time (ie: months and years) to see how effectively the Sealion 8’s inside holds up over time – not simply when it comes to rattles and squeaks, however how the trims stand up to the scuffs and stains that households will little question topic it to.
As with different BYD merchandise, the motive force show and central infotainment unit provide shiny graphics and slick responses and animations, however my earlier complaints about layer-heavy menus stay – and a few capabilities could be a little buried.
These averse to digital local weather controls received’t be enamoured by the touchscreen-based controls right here, although not like in fashions from another makes there’s a everlasting toolbar with these HVAC toggles on the base of the show.
I personally don’t love the extra minimalist instrument cluster format of BYD’s newer merchandise, which eliminate the digital energy meter and speedometer dials and simply have very fundamental, configurable widgets. It’s simply to not my tastes.
Whereas we don’t have a full breakdown of the spec checklist, the top-shelf Sealion 8 affords full electrical adjustment for the entrance seats, together with heating and air flow in addition to massaging capabilities – and the latter can be utilized within the second row.
Cupboard space is fairly good, comprising a entrance shelf for 2 telephones forward of the massive cupholders, with one of many cellphone slots doubling as a wi-fi cellphone charger. Additional, there are decent-sized door bins, a cubby beneath the front-centre armrest, and an affordable glovebox.
As you’d count on, the second row of the Sealion 8 is household sized. There’s heaps of head, leg, and knee room even for bigger adults like lanky 6’1″ me. You additionally get rear local weather controls and massaging for the outer seats within the top-spec variant.
The rear seats slide and recline, and BYD has ensured the entry perform is on the Australian kerb aspect. Nonetheless, the motion of transferring that seat ahead and out of the way in which is sort of heavy and clunky, no less than in my expertise.
When you’re within the rearmost seats, I used to be shocked to search out it’s not all that small for the category. I personally wouldn’t be very snug for something greater than a brief journey, however children needs to be high-quality again there save for the slim-ish rear quarter home windows which restrict outward visibility.
BYD claims the Sealion 8 can swallow 270 litres of bags with the third row in use, increasing to 960L with the third row folded, and a capacious 1960L with the rear two rows stowed.
| Dimensions | BYD Sealion 8 |
|---|---|
| Size | 5040mm |
| Width | 1996mm |
| Peak | 1760mm |
| Wheelbase | 2950mm |
| Cargo capability | 270L – 7 seats 960L – 5 seats 1960L – 2 seats |
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What’s beneath the bonnet?
Each drivetrain variations of the Sealion 8 include a plug-in hybrid system primarily based round a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with AWD variants getting a second electrical motor on the rear axle.
| Specs | Sealion 8 FWD | Sealion 8 AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol PHEV | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 110kW + 220Nm | 110kW + 220Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 200kW + 315Nm | 200kW + 315Nm – entrance 200kW + 350Nm – rear |
| System outputs | 215kW + 315Nm | 359kW + 675Nm |
| Battery | 19kWh LFP | 35.6kWh LFP |
| Transmission | TBC | TBC |
| Drive sort | FWD | AWD |
| Weight | TBC | TBC |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.6s | 4.9s |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 1.1L/100km | 1.0L/100km |
| Electrical driving vary (NEDC) | 103km | 152km |
| Gas tank capability | 60L | 60L |
| Gas requirement | TBC | TBC |
| CO2 emissions | TBC | TBC |
| Emissions normal | TBC | TBC |
| Braked tow capability | TBC | TBC |
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How does the BYD Sealion 8 drive?
We solely scored a really brief stint behind the wheel of the Premium AWD flagship on the Lang Lang skid pan and experience/dealing with observe, so our time with the Sealion 8 was admittedly fairly temporary.
I centered on performing some 0-100km/h runs in my 45-minute window, making an attempt to movie content material on the identical time. After that I did some slalom work and a brief motorkhana course out with cones on the identical skidpan.
First ideas? The flagship model is bloody fast! I’m unsure a car of this kind and measurement actually wants to have the ability to hit freeway velocity from relaxation in lower than 5 seconds, however the sharpness and power of acceleration response, significantly in flagship AWD guise, will shock you.
The twin-motor electrical drive system does the heavy-lifting, providing instant torque response and rocketing the Sealion 8 off the road. The in-car timer reckons I did the 0-100km/h dash in 4.6 seconds, which may be very fast for a seven-seat SUV of this measurement, not to mention the anticipated value level.
One factor I seen was that the petrol engine will get fairly vocal beneath excessive load, buzzing away with little to no synthetic sound augmentation, so it appears like while you step on it in a automotive with a CVT. You would nearly liken it to a vacuum cleaner – which except you love cleansing, isn’t the nicest sound.
If you take off there’s additionally a little bit of raise on the entrance, even with the adaptive dampers set to their firmest ‘SPORT’ setting. It offers off speedboat vibes and, once more, who’s actually anticipating this to really feel like an all-out BMW M or Mercedes-AMG mannequin?
The Sealion 8 proved surprisingly keen to show by means of the slalom and motorkhana exams, due to a eager and responsive front-end, even when the steering feels lighter than is typical on this phase.
The twin-motor drivetrain affords good grip and does a good job of getting the ability down successfully, no less than with the Premium’s huge 265/45 R21 Goodyear rubber. You possibly can’t conceal the heft of the massive SUV’s (undisclosed) weight, nonetheless, and if you happen to push too onerous it’ll default to understeer and tyre squeal.
I then took the Sealion 8 for a whirl across the experience and dealing with check observe, which permits for speeds of 120-130km/h and likewise has devoted simulations of tram tracks and a few of Australia’s much less well-kept highway surfaces.
Once more, the Sealion 8 confirmed robust efficiency with responsive acceleration, gentle but correct steering, and a suitable quantity of physique lean in bends. There was loads of grip, although the final really feel isn’t actually all that sporty.
Trip compliance is fairly good and sound insulation from tyre roar can be first rate, regardless of the bigger wheel and tyre package deal. I doesn’t fairly ship luxurious ranges of refinement, although.
Braking efficiency may be higher. The transition from regen to mechanical braking could be a little obscure upon progressive inputs, and whereas we don’t know what the Sealion 8 weighs we are able to inform it might use a contact extra stopping energy, or no less than that’s the way it felt throughout my restricted time with it at a proving floor.
And that’s concerning the extent of my driving impressions. For facets like effectivity and driving efficiency in real-world situations, we’ll have to take the Sealion 8 for an extended check on public roads.
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What do you get?
We don’t have full specs for the Sealion 8 vary but, however we obtained preliminary particulars of the Premium AWD flagship.
2026 BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD tools highlights:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Goodyear 265/45 R21 tyres
- DiSus-C adaptive damping
- 10.25-inch digital instrument panel
- 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi Android Auto
- 21-speaker premium audio system
- Therapeutic massage perform for entrance, rear seats
- 50W wi-fi cellphone charger – entrance
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Is the BYD Sealion 8 secure?
The Sealion 8 hasn’t been crash examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
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Sealion 8 Premium AWD normal security options embody:
- 9 airbags incl. full 3-row curtains
- ‘Superior Driving Help System’
- 360 digital camera system
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How a lot does the BYD Sealion 8 value to run?
The Sealion 8 needs to be lined by BYD Australia’s six-year, 150,000km new car guarantee and eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | BYD Atto 1 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years or 150,000km – car 8 years or 160,000km – battery |
| Roadside help | 12 months then service activated |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
| Whole capped-price service value | TBC |
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CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Sealion 8
There’s a typical theme amongst our newest BYD and Denza critiques – we haven’t spent sufficient time with them to supply a conclusive verdict, however we’ve seen sufficient to know individuals will like these new fashions.
If it arrives with good value positioning – one thing which BYD has been on a roll with these days – the Sealion 8 ought to provide extra efficiency and extra EV vary for much less cash than equal rivals. Little question, that recipe will discover traction in a market that loves its household SUVs.
It additionally appears to be like sharp, is effectively completed inside, and affords aggressive ranges house and practicality alongside its key opponents, no less than on first impression.
For now although, we’ll maintain closing judgement till we see a full pricing and spec breakdown, and get extra time on house turf with the Sealion 8 when it lands in Australian showrooms within the early phases of 2026.
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