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Electric
2026 BYD Sealion 8: price, specs and release date in Australia
RACV
January 21, 2026
The BYD Sealion 8 family SUV is now on sale, offering plug-in hybrid power in a highly specified and roomy seven-seat package, priced from less than $60,000. Here’s everything you need to know.
BYD’s aggressive launch of new models into the Australian market is continuing apace with the 2026 BYD Sealion 8 seven-seater family SUV now on sale.
Priced from $56,990 plus on-road costs, the three-row plug-in hybrid electric BYD Sealion 8 is the Chinese brand’s first large SUV and is expected to become its biggest-selling model, overtaking the BYD Shark 6 PHEV ute and BYD Sealion 6 EV and Sealion 7 PHEV medium SUVs.
BYD is now a top 10 brand in Australia and the Sealion 8 is expected to push it further up the charts with a proposition that includes a high specification, generous proportions, economical PHEV power and competitive price points across the range.
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When does the BYD Sealion 8 go on sale in Australia?
Dealers are taking orders for the 2026 BYD Sealion 8 now that local pricing has been released. First customer deliveries are expected in the first half of 2026. This is comparable to the new one-size-smaller BYD Sealion 5 medium SUV that’s also now available.
The 2026 BYD Sealion 8 is available in three model variants that span two plug-in hybrid powertrain options and two trim levels (Dynamic and Premium), each with a high specification but featuring extra creature comforts on the flagship version.
The single-motor BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD opens proceedings at $56,990 plus on-road costs ($60,357.70 drive-away for private buyers in Victoria). The dual-motor Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD is $7000 higher at $63,990 plus ORCs ($67,651.70 drive-away), while the range-topping Sealion 8 Premium AWD is another $7000 jump at $70,990 plus ORCs ($74,945.70 drive-away).
The circa-$60,000 drive-away starting price positions the BYD Sealion 8 close to the Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV (from $59,990 drive-away) and the related Omoda 9 PHEV (from $61,990 drive-away) – and well below the Mazda CX-80 PHEV (from $69,990 d/a) and Kia Sorento PHEV (from $76,909.45 d/a). The new Skoda Kodiaq PHEV (from $68,990 drive-away) is also now available, but only with five seats.
Other (non-plug-in) hybrid rivals include the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (from $59,990 d/a) and Toyota Kluger Hybrid (from $68,040 d/a), while the Sealion 8 might also steer some buyers away from the big-selling diesel-powered SUVs in class – the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X – which are valued for their towing capacity and 4x4 off-road capability.
The Sealion 8 is covered by BYD Australia’s six-year/150,000km new vehicle warranty and separate eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty. Service intervals and capped price servicing costs are still to be announced.
The wheelbase is 2950mm, which translates to a spacious 2+3+2-seat interior and useful cargo area that holds 270 litres with all three rows occupied, 960L when the third row is not in use and a cavernous 1960L with the 60/40-split second row folded too.
All variants are fitted with a panoramic sunroof (with electric sunshade), LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, roof racks, heated/folding exterior mirrors, tinted rear windows, a power-operated tailgate and a set of large alloy wheels – 20-inch with 225/50R20 Hankook tyres on the FWD model and 21-inch with 265/45R21 Goodyear tyres on the AWD duo. There is no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit if you get a puncture.
Electric power steering (and 11.8m turning circle) and a front strut/rear multi-link suspension is found across the range, with AWD variants featuring intelligent adaptive damping compared to the FWD’s variable frequency damping. Sealion 8 AWD models also have higher-performance brakes and Mud and Sand selectable driving modes, in addition to the standard-fit Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow modes.
The maximum braked towing capacity is 2000kg for the AWD models and 1800kg for the FWD. Payload is 655/685kg (FWD/AWD) based on the 2970/3265kg gross vehicle mass and hefty 2315/2580kg kerb weight for the FWD/AWD variants respectively.
The standard exterior colour is Aurora White, while the three other choices add $1500 to the bottom line – Ridge Grey, Cosmos Black and Dark Aquamarine.
The BYD Sealion 8 has a high-tech interior, even at the entry level.
Central 15.6-inch touchscreen is prominent on the BYD Sealion 8 dash.
All BYD Sealion 8 variants have a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.
BYD Sealion 8 Premium has leather trim and excellent seat adjustment.
Lots of room and useful amenities across BYD Sealion 8 second row.
BYD Sealion 8 has 270L cargo capacity when all three rows are in use.
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BYD Sealion 8 standard equipment & features
Powertrain is a major point of difference between the FWD and AWD versions of the 2026 BYD Sealion 8. All models are fitted with a high level of standard equipment, however the Premium AWD offers some significant next-level creature comforts compared to the Dynamic FWD and AWD.
BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD standard features:
Single-motor DM-i Super Hybrid drivetrain
Full LED headlights with cornering and follow-me-home functions
The BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD is powerful and should prove economical if drivers take advantage of its potential to run as an EV.
What powers the BYD Sealion 8?
At the entry level, the 2026 BYD Sealion 8 uses the Chinese carmaker’s DM-i Super Hybrid system that combines a single permanent magnet synchronous motor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) ‘Blade’ battery.
The petrol engine produces 110kW of power and 220Nm of torque and the front-mounted e-motor develops 200kW/315Nm. Total combined output is 205kW and 315Nm. Sending drive through the front wheels, the powertrain can shift the 2315kg SUV from 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.6 seconds.
In comparison, AWD versions of the Sealion 8 use BYD’s DM-p Super Hybrid drivetrain that uses the same petrol engine and front electric motor as the FWD but adds a 200kW/360Nm rear-mounted e-motor for a combined output of 359kW and 675Nm. The higher output and ‘intelligent decoupling’ electric 4WD system propels the heavier (2580kg) Sealion 8 AWD from 0-100km in just 4.9sec, according to BYD.
The Dynamic FWD battery has a 19.0kWh capacity that enables a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 103km, based on the lenient NEDC cycle. This is more like 88km on the widely used WLTP cycle. BYD also cites combined-cycle fuel economy of 5.3L/100km, when the battery state of charge is below 25 per cent. The fuel tank capacity on all models is 60L.
The Dynamic and Premium AWD models have a larger 35.6kWh battery that extends the claimed maximum EV-only driving range to 152km (NEDC, or about 130km WLTP). Fuel consumption is rated at 6.3L/100km (<25% SOC).
Both batteries have a maximum 11kW AC charging limit, catering for both single-phase and three-phase power supply, while the DC charging rate is capped at 40kW for the 19kWh battery and 74kW for the 35.6kWh power pack.
Claimed charging times are still to be confirmed for Australian models, but it’s safe to assume that each of the LFP batteries should be easily charged overnight using a dedicated EV home charger. DC charging from a public fast-charge station should be completed in about 30min.
The Sealion 8 driver can adjust regenerative braking levels to maximise efficiency, while the Blade batteries can also be used as an external power source for portable electronic devices and appliances via the Vehicle to Load (V2L) function on the car that’s also fitted standard across the range.
The BYD Sealion 8 will offer an automatic emergency call system across the range in Australia.
What safety and technology features on BYD Sealion 8?
The 2026 BYD Sealion 8 has yet to be assessed by ANCAP under its new testing protocols, but there is a broad array of active and passive safety equipment on the family SUV, and during 2026 it will add emergency collision notification (eCall) via an over-the-air software update.
This is a significant addition to the Sealion 8 safety package, connecting the vehicle and its occupants automatically to an emergency response centre in the event of a serious collision.
The Sealion 8 has nine airbags, double pretensioned seatbelts for the front seats, pretensioners and force limiters for the seatbelts in the second row and an emergency locking function for belts in the third row. There are seatbelt reminders for the driver linked to every position, child detection on all seats (part of the cabin monitoring system) and ISOFIX child restraint anchor points in both the second and third rows.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) designed to help a crash occurring at all are extensive in the BYD Sealion 8. All models are equipped with:
Adaptive intelligent cruise control
Intelligent speed limit control
Autonomous emergency braking
Emergency lane keep assist
Forward collision warning
Lane departure warning
Front and rear cross traffic alert and braking
Blind spot detection
Traffic sign recognition
Intelligent speed limit control
Adaptive headlights
Door opening safety reminder
The Sealion 8 will also monitor the driver for signs of fatigue or distraction, while a tyre pressure monitoring system is designed to keep tabs on each corner of the car – an important inclusion given there’s no spare wheel. In tighter situations, the 360-degree camera is supported by front and rear parking sensors with four zones at each end.
The infotainment tech suite on the Sealion 8 is similarly broad, based around the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 15.6-inch touchscreen and, on the Premium AWD flagship, a 26-inch head-up display. The intelligent voice assistant can be customised using four ‘zones’ and, in a first for BYD in Australia, an interactive cockpit mode is provided with nap, camping and car wash modes.
Wireless smartphone connectivity is available for compatible Apple and Android devices, while a 50W wireless phone charging pad is provided in the front compartment on at least the top-spec model, along with an SD and two USB-C ports and a 12V outlet. There are a further two ports in the second row (USB-A, USB-C). The internal modem connects with a 4G network cloud service and BYD provides 2GB of data per month free of charge for the first two years of ownership.
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What cars does BYD sell in Australia?
The 2026 BYD Sealion 8 brings the number of models in the Chinese brand’s stable to 10, all with either a battery-electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. Here is the full line-up as it stands early in 2026:
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
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