BYD is seeking to make a splash in Australia with its new electrified mid-size SUV.
The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 is the electrified specialist’s first stab at Australia’s hottest new automobile section, providing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) different to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Nissan X-Path e-Energy, in addition to the conceptually related Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV.
Regardless of being a PHEV the Sealion 6 is competitively priced, beginning for related cash to a mid-spec RAV4 Hybrid or Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – nicely beneath the beginning value of the most cost effective Outlander PHEV.
It’s the model’s first plug-in hybrid in Australia, however BYD has been enjoying on this house for years at house. The Sealion 6 quotes some robust numbers: 80-90 kilometres of EV driving, and a mixed driving vary of over 1000 kilometres on a full cost and full tank of gas.
These are some huge claims, and actually not one of the BYD’s opponents have been capable of obtain as a lot…
After driving a set of pre-production automobiles on the Lang Lang proving floor, we bought per week with the Sealion 6 on public roads to see if my optimistic preliminary drive can be validated in the actual world. You may as well watch Paul Maric’s full video assessment (shot at mentioned Lang Lang facility) above.
How did it fare? Learn on to seek out out.
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 6 price?
The vary kicks off from $48,990 plus on-road prices, with the flagship Premium AWD right here priced from $52,990 earlier than on-roads.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the BYD Sealion 6 like on the within?
In contrast to among the model’s electrical fashions, the Sealion 6’s cockpit is pretty standard.
It’s value noting the Sealion 6 was first launched within the Chinese language home market again in 2020 because the Tune Plus, which is why among the design is a bit more standard or old-school in comparison with the Seal electrical sedan, for instance.
The Sealion 6’s cabin will little question impress with its presentation on the showroom ground. There’s stable construct high quality, good supplies, and a common cohesion to the design and structure.
Our take a look at automotive was fitted with the elective Gray and Blue inside upholstery, which is extra in keeping with the color scheme supplied within the Atto 3 and Seal than the usual Black and Brown. Personally, I favor the latter.
The straight traces and upright dashboard fascia are very clear, and improve the impression of house and width. The entire contact factors are trimmed in good leather-based or leatherette and the stitching and piping accents are fairly good, too.
Forward of the motive force and behind the chunky steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster related in presentation to the unit within the Seal sedan, solely built-in right into a extra standard cowl.
It has a translucent end and gives fairly excessive decision and fast refresh charges, with brilliant colors and easy animations. The graphics seem a bit easy and dated in areas, but it surely all works nicely and shows the data you want in your line of sight.
There are a few completely different layouts and loads of widgets to cycle by means of, but it surely’s nowhere close to as customisable as a Volkswagen Group product and even the digital panel within the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Path.
Then there’s the 15.6-inch central touchscreen, which like different BYD fashions may be rotated between portrait and panorama orientations on the contact of a button – a neat social gathering trick which can make your passengers go ‘wow!’
It’s a disgrace you’ll be able to’t rotate the display when utilizing wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, although in any other case like the motive force’s show it gives top quality graphics, brilliant and wealthy colors, in addition to fast loading instances.
Talking of wi-fi Apple CarPlay, my iPhone 15 Professional Max attached rapidly more often than not however at instances wanted to be chosen by way of the Apple CarPlay icon on the show menu after start-up. It in any other case works nicely and takes up the entire show which is fairly neat.
The ten-speaker Infinity-branded audio system does an excellent job, although didn’t really feel prefer it had fairly the depth of some rivals with higher-end methods from Bose, JBL, or Harman Kardon.
It additionally gives built-in Spotify and Amazon Music, along with a karaoke app – which might be harmful for Uber drivers. Rounding out the options listing are Bluetooth telephone connectivity, embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, over-the-air software program updates, and AM/FM/DAB radio. It’s hooked as much as a 10-speaker Infinity premium audio system as commonplace.
Storage is usually fairly good for a automobile that might be carting round households, from the twin smartphone chargers up entrance with grippy base to the big cupholders, cubby beneath the centre armrest, and respectable door bins that may maintain bottles and different gadgets.
I additionally need to name out the stable switchgear and toggles, which contribute to an uplift in atmosphere that makes the Sealion 6 not simply “good for a Chinese language automotive”, however good relative to established rivals from Japan, Korea, and Europe.
As for the second row, two full-sized adults may have loads of house again there, even with the panoramic glass sunroof.
I’m just a little over 6’1 and had loads of headroom regardless of the panoramic roof, in addition to above common leg- and knee-room. You can squeeze three abreast, however the raised centre place most likely wouldn’t be comfy for a full-sized grownup.
The considerate and crowd pleasing trim extends to the rear, together with the dual-tone color scheme, distinction piping and stitching, and excessive ratio of soft-touch surfaces. Plenty of rivals (together with the Volkswagen Tiguan) revert to more durable plastics on the rear doorways to scale back prices.
Facilities embrace reclining backrests for the rear seats, a fold-down central armrest with cupholders, directional rear air vents, USB-A and USB-C cost ports, in addition to ISOFIX and high tether factors for little one seats.
BYD quotes a boot capability of 425 litres (minimal) with the rear seats in place, increasing to as much as 1440L.
There’s no spare wheel of any type within the Sealion 6. As an alternative, a tyre restore package is commonplace tools throughout the lineup.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 shapes up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The Premium provides a turbocharger and a second electrical motor to BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid system.
To see how the BYD Sealion 6 shapes up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument.
How does the BYD Sealion 6 drive?
I used to be singing the Sealion 6’s praises on the pre-production drive, and whereas it’s not fairly as spectacular in the actual world on public roads it’s nonetheless aggressive.
The Premium AWD boasts some stable numbers: 238kW/550Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, 81km driving vary, and a mixed driving vary of 961 kilometres. It additionally makes use of a claimed 1.4/100km on the mixed cycle.
In regular driving it doesn’t essentially really feel like an intimidating beast, because it gives very linear responses in most respects, from acceleration to steering.
With enough battery cost the Sealion 6 will default to EV mode, drawing upon the 150kW and 120kW e-motors for propulsion. It’s easy and easy, whereas additionally being impressively quiet and refined.
The softly-sprung suspension means the cabin isn’t upset by even sharp street floor imperfections within the metropolis, however that has an adversarial impact with physique management, with the Sealion 6 having a propensity to, erm… porpoise once in a while.
Over successive hits and undulations, there’s a forward-backward movement along with the up-down movement from the suspension. It additionally takes one or two many actions to settle than can be passable
Additional, it’s a bit too floaty at increased speeds over undulations – watch Paul Maric drive over the sine waves at Lang Lang within the video up high to get a really feel for what I imply.
It means there’s a little bit of physique roll in corners, and the Sealion 6 doesn’t really feel notably eager to drive by means of successive corners at tempo – though in actuality, it’s centered on safely carting households across the city jungle. By that metric, I believe it nearly nails its supposed function.
That is maybe the place the Sealion 6 is let down in comparison with most rivals, notably these with localised experience and dealing with setups that cater for Australia’s big selection of street situations.
Naturally, we count on this to be improved with working adjustments sooner or later. It wouldn’t be the primary time a producer has carried out suspension adjustments following suggestions (cough, Hyundai Ioniq 5).
In any other case, the Sealion 6 is nice to drive on a regular basis. I spent loads of time driving to and from work in peak-hour site visitors, travelling from Melbourne’s japanese suburbs by means of town to get to the workplace – it’s nice for this type of stuff.
In contrast to some plug-in hybrids there’s loads of grunt from the e-motors to not simply get this 2.1-tonne household SUV shifting but additionally with respectable tempo. It’s easy and fairly fast once you sink your boot in.
BYD’s DM-i ‘Tremendous Hybrid’ system can run as an EV, collection hybrid, or parallel hybrid, and goals to function as an EV first after which leans on the on-board petrol engine to help when low on battery or beneath heavy hundreds.
EV Mode is the default, and principally sees the automobile function as an electrical automobile till usable zero emissions vary runs out. The Sealion 6 gives 92km of vary in Dynamic guise and 81km for the Premium. Additional, the corporate informed us the automobile will retain round 25 per cent of battery capability to run as a hybrid when usable EV vary reaches 0km.
HEV Sequence Mode makes use of the petrol engine to cost the battery whereas the e-motor(s) drive the automotive. The intention is so as to add to the automobile’s mixed driving vary (ICE + EV), and to maintain the drive battery juiced to slide again into EV mode when it will probably.
Lastly, HEV Parallel Mode continues to prioritise EV driving, however will use the petrol motor to chop in for optimum efficiency. Instance situations quoted included overtaking and towing – talking of, the Sealion 6 gives a most 1300kg towing capability in Premium AWD guise (750kg Dynamic).
The lighter steering really feel makes tight manoeuvres a breeze, and there’s a brilliant and clear encompass digicam system with 3D modelling which suggests there’s no excuse for contact parks or gutter rashed alloys.
At pace – supplied you’re not on an undulating nation street – the Sealion 6 makes for a snug and quiet freeway tourer with minimal drivetrain noise nor intrusion from tyre roar or wind whistle.
The BYD’s driver help suite is amongst one of the best of the Chinese language manufacturers. Adaptive cruise management and lane centring facilitate a semi-autonomous freeway mode that labored fairly nicely if for the odd overzealous jerking of the wheel.
In contrast to a variety of Chinese language manufacturers there didn’t seem like any obtrusive and overbearing beeps and bongs within the Sealion 6, which is trigger for reward.
Maybe one odd criticism is the dangle up button for telephone calls is identical button you utilize to cycle by means of menus within the instrument cluster, so I by chance hung up on folks a number of instances…
What do you get?
Two grades can be found in Australia – Dynamic and Premium.
Sealion 6 Dynamic highlights:
Exterior
19-inch alloy wheels235/50 R19 Giti tyresPanoramic sunroofMatte roof railsOne-touch tailgateRain sensing wipersElectrically adjustable, heated mirrorsAuto-dimming inside mirrorSoundproof glass – frontPrivacy glass – rear
Inside
Artificial leather-wrapped steering wheel12.3-inch LCD digital instrument clusterSunglasses holderSynthetic leather-wrapped seats8-way energy driver seat4-way energy passenger seatHeated, ventilated entrance seatsManually adjustable rear seat backrestsFront twin cup holdersRear centre armrest incl. 2 x cup holdersMetal door sill protectorsFront sunvisors incl. self-importance mirror, lighting
Leisure
15.6-inch rotating touchscreenAM/FM/DAB radioWireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoBluetooth telephone, audio streamingMusic streaming appsSatellite navigationVoice assistant10-speaker Infinity audioBYD app store1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A – front1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A – rearOTA updates
Mild
LED headlightsLED daytime working lightsLED tail lightsSequential rear indicatorsRGB dynamic ambient lightingLED entrance studying lightLED rear aspect studying lights
Consolation and Comfort
Keyless entry, startNFC card key2 x wi-fi telephone prices – 15W12V accent socketPM2.5 filtration systemDual-zone auto local weather controlRear central air ventsTyre restore package
Sealion 6 Premium provides:
Chassis
Extra terrain modesAWD
Security and Safety
Inside
Blue + Gray upholstery ($NCO)
Is the BYD Sealion 6 secure?
The Sealion 6 hasn’t been awarded an ANCAP security score but, although BYD says a five-star result’s “anticipated”.
The assured response might be as a result of the all-electric BYD Seal U achieved a five-star Euro NCAP lead to 2023, together with a 90 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety, 86 per cent for little one occupant safety, 83 per cent for weak street customers, and 77 per cent for security help.
Ought to there be minimal discrepancies in structural and crash take a look at knowledge, the Sealion 6 PHEV might very nicely obtain the same consequence as we’ve seen with different nameplates supporting a number of powertrain varieties.
Normal security options embrace:
7 airbagsDual frontDual sideDual curtainFront-centreAdaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringChild Presence DetectionDoor Open WarningFront collision warningFront cross-traffic assistHigh beam assistIntelligent pace restrict info, controlLane departure warningLane preserve assistRear collision warningRear cross-traffic alertTraffic signal recognition
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 6 price to run?
The BYD vary is roofed by a six-year, 150,000km automobile guarantee and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guarantee.
I additionally tried DC charging and noticed the Sealion 6 would sit fortunately at its 18kW capability shortly after commencing charging. In line with my Evie charging receipt the Sealion 6 regained 11.965kWh in 41 minutes, at a value of $6.94.
That returned the battery to round 80 per cent capability from round 25 per cent the place the Sealion 6 has no usable EV vary after which operates as a hybrid.
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Sealion 6
The BYD Sealion 6 has loads to supply, and I gained’t be shocked if it actually begins to take off on the gross sales charts.
The place the Atto 3 is a bit small and the Seal sedan gives a physique sort not quite a lot of households are shopping for, the Sealion 6 blends a sensible SUV package deal with a succesful plug-in hybrid system that ought to dispel any vary nervousness fears.
Very similar to its sole direct rival within the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV, the Sealion 6 gives sufficient vary to be pushed predominantly in EV mode, and simply qualifies for tax breaks on novated leases whereas being considerably cheaper than its Japanese rival.
It’s so sharply priced it traces up towards mid- and high-spec variations of non-plug-in rivals just like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, whereas providing substantial EV driving vary and the eligibility for the FBT exemption.
It’s higher than the outgoing MG HS Plus EV, and the next-generation MG PHEV remains to be a while away. For now, the Sealion 6 has this a part of the market to itself, given essentially the most inexpensive Outlander PHEV is $10,000 greater than the bottom BYD.
Clean and refined, with an achievable EV vary and robust worth for cash are key promoting factors, as is its sensible inside with family-friendly house and cargo-carrying capability.
I’d simply be conscious concerning the mushy and floaty experience when you tour undulating nation roads, and I’d contemplate going for the entry-level Dynamic with its superior EV vary when you don’t want the Dynamic’s efficiency. I’ll additionally observe the quoted boot capability is smaller than most rivals, but it surely’s not surprising.
However all informed it might make quite a lot of sense when you’re out there for an electrified mid-size household SUV. Get in fast and you could possibly be one of many first 3000 prospects to get a free house wall charger along with your buy – extra on that right here.
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