14 hours ago
7
The new seven-seat Sealion 8 large SUV could be one of BYD Australia's best-sellers, offering plug-in hybrid power for the same price as petrol-powered rivals.
Family Cars
The 2026 BYD Sealion 8 will break new ground for the Chinese brand as its first large, three-row SUV, and is expected to add substantial volume to the brand’s bottom line as it chases a Top Three result.
Speaking to Drive, BYD Australia boss Stephen Collins said initial interest in the Sealion 8 has been strong, and that the brand is hopeful for around 8400 sales annually for its Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger rival.
“Our planning numbers are around about 700 a month – what I’m saying is when it settles [after initial launch interest] – so that’s the number we’re looking at,” Collins said.
“I think the demand early on will be significantly higher than that. We opened up expressions of interest on our website a week ago, I haven't checked in last day, but we had well over 1000.
“I think it’s just a great car to drive with a lot of tech in it, I think it’s going to be one of our core models.
“But I think going into next year, Shark, Sealion 7 are our real core volume models right now and that will continue.
“And then I think Sealion 8 will certainly be in the mix as well in terms of our three core volume models.”
In terms of positioning, Collins said the Sealion 8 will start above the entry-level, one-size-down Sealion 7 all-electric SUV, indicating a price north of $54,990.
Aside from the Chery Tiggo 9 (from $59,990 before on-road costs), the next nearest plug-in hybrid competitor to the BYD Sealion 8 will be the Mazda CX-80 (from $75,250) and Kia Sorento (from $84,660), while the hybrid versions of the Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe are positioned from $62,410 and $57,650, respectively.
Three grades of the Sealion 8 will be available when it goes on sale in early 2026, the front-drive Dynamic, all-wheel-drive (AWD) Dynamic, and top-spec Premium AWD.
Regardless of trim, all three feature a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 200kW/315Nm electric front motor.
AWD versions also score a 200kW/350Nm rear electric motor to enable all-paw grip.
BYD Australia is yet to announce combined output of the FWD Sealion 8, but AWD versions punch out 359kW.
The base Dynamic FWD is fitted with a 19kWh battery for a claimed all-electric driving range from 100-25 per cent of 103km on the lab-tested NEDC standard, while fuel economy is pegged at 1.1 litres per 100km.
Dynamic AWD and Premium AWD grades feature a larger 35.6kWh battery, increasing claimed all-electric driving range to 152km, while also cutting fuel consumption to 1L/100km.
Measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm wide, 1760mm tall, and with a 2950mm wheelbase, the Sealion 8 is larger in all dimensions than a Toyota Kluger, and also features top-tether anchorage points for the third row.
Boot space measures 270 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 960L and 1960L with the third and second rows stowed respectively, also making it more capacious than the Kluger.
Full specifications will be announced closer to the Sealion 8’s on-sale date, but the top-spec Premium will feature a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 21-speaker sound system, first- and second-row massage seats, a surround-view monitor, and a wireless smartphone charger.
The infotainment screen also measures 15.6 inches on the top-spec Sealion 8, which can rotate and features wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.
In terms of buyer profile, Collins said BYD is clearly targeting families with the Sealion 8, that might see the current crop of large, three-row SUVs as outdated or out of reach.
“I think there are an array of well-established brands and models in that segment, and I think what we’re going to offer is the next level in every respect – performance, value, tech – I think it will have wide appeal,” Collins.
Family Cars Guide
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
