BYD Sealion 8: three-row plug-in hybrid SUV for Australia
BYD Sealion 8 PHEV: three-row SUV specs, range and Australia launch
BYD Sealion 8: three-row plug-in hybrid SUV for Australia
Discover the new BYD Sealion 8, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV arriving in Australia in 2026. See specs, EV range up to 152 km, 359 kW AWD, premium features.
2025-11-03T00:52:03+03:00
2025-11-03T00:52:03+03:00
2025-11-03T00:52:03+03:00
Chinese brand BYD continues to broaden its SUV lineup, unveiling the large seven-seat crossover Sealion 8, which is set to reach the Australian market in early 2026. It will be the company’s first big three-row model, slotting above the all-electric Sealion 7 and joining the family alongside the Shark 6 hybrid.Built as a plug-in hybrid, the Sealion 8 pairs a 1.5-liter turbo engine rated at 110 kW with electric motors that deliver a combined output of up to 359 kW in AWD versions. The entry-level Dynamic trim uses a 19 kWh battery for up to 103 km of electric driving, while the flagship Premium packs a 35.6 kWh unit good for up to 152 km without charging. Average fuel consumption is just 1 liter per 100 km. On paper, those figures promise thrifty commuting and easy, confident performance.At 5.04 meters long with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, the Sealion 8 is larger than a Toyota Kluger and offers up to 1,960 liters of cargo space with the seats folded. Inside, highlights include a 15.6-inch rotating display, a 21-speaker audio system, and massage chairs for the first two rows. The spec sheet reads more like a premium SUV than a mainstream family hauler, a mix that should appeal to buyers moving up from smaller crossovers.According to BYD Australia head Stephen Collins, interest in the model is high: the company received more than a thousand expressions of interest in the first week. The brand expects to sell around 8,400 vehicles a year, and the Sealion 8 is set to be one of three key products for BYD on the continent. Judging by the early response, the positioning looks on point.BYD is steadily evolving into a global player. The Sealion 8 suggests that Chinese hybrids can not only catch up but also surpass gasoline competitors in technology and features—at least judging by the numbers.
BYD Sealion 8, plug-in hybrid SUV, seven-seat SUV, Australia 2026, PHEV, EV range 152 km, 359 kW AWD, rotating 15.6-inch display, 21-speaker audio, massage seats, 1 L/100 km fuel, cargo 1960 L
2025
Michael Powers
news
BYD Sealion 8 PHEV: three-row SUV specs, range and Australia launch
Discover the new BYD Sealion 8, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV arriving in Australia in 2026. See specs, EV range up to 152 km, 359 kW AWD, premium features.
Michael Powers, Editor
Chinese brand BYD continues to broaden its SUV lineup, unveiling the large seven-seat crossover Sealion 8, which is set to reach the Australian market in early 2026. It will be the company’s first big three-row model, slotting above the all-electric Sealion 7 and joining the family alongside the Shark 6 hybrid.
Built as a plug-in hybrid, the Sealion 8 pairs a 1.5-liter turbo engine rated at 110 kW with electric motors that deliver a combined output of up to 359 kW in AWD versions. The entry-level Dynamic trim uses a 19 kWh battery for up to 103 km of electric driving, while the flagship Premium packs a 35.6 kWh unit good for up to 152 km without charging. Average fuel consumption is just 1 liter per 100 km. On paper, those figures promise thrifty commuting and easy, confident performance.
At 5.04 meters long with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, the Sealion 8 is larger than a Toyota Kluger and offers up to 1,960 liters of cargo space with the seats folded. Inside, highlights include a 15.6-inch rotating display, a 21-speaker audio system, and massage chairs for the first two rows. The spec sheet reads more like a premium SUV than a mainstream family hauler, a mix that should appeal to buyers moving up from smaller crossovers.
According to BYD Australia head Stephen Collins, interest in the model is high: the company received more than a thousand expressions of interest in the first week. The brand expects to sell around 8,400 vehicles a year, and the Sealion 8 is set to be one of three key products for BYD on the continent. Judging by the early response, the positioning looks on point.
BYD is steadily evolving into a global player. The Sealion 8 suggests that Chinese hybrids can not only catch up but also surpass gasoline competitors in technology and features—at least judging by the numbers.
