If you’ve been waiting for BYD to offer a proper family-sized SUV in Australia, your patience is about to pay off. The Chinese automaker has confirmed that the Sealion 8 will arrive in Australian showrooms during the first quarter of 2026, bringing with it the brand’s first seven-seat offering Down Under.
Why the Sealion 8 Matters for Australian Families
Large families have been watching BYD’s Australian journey with interest, but until now, the brand’s lineup has focused mainly on smaller vehicles and sedans. The Sealion 8 changes that game completely, offering genuine competition to established players like the Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-80.
What makes this particularly exciting is that BYD isn’t just bringing another petrol guzzler to market. Instead, they’re doubling down on plug-in hybrid technology, giving Australian families a chance to significantly reduce their fuel bills while still having the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips of a petrol engine for longer trips.
Dimensions That Matter
The Sealion 8 isn’t messing around when it comes to size. At just over 5 meters long and nearly 2 meters wide, it’s genuinely competitive with the Toyota Kluger – a vehicle that many consider the benchmark for family SUVs in Australia.
More importantly for families, the wheelbase stretches to 2950mm. That’s 100mm longer than a Kluger’s wheelbase, which translates to more legroom for passengers in all three rows. Anyone who’s tried to fit adults in the third row of a mid-size SUV will appreciate this extra space.
Boot Space for Real Life
The cargo area offers 675 litres with all seats up – respectable for a seven-seater. Fold the third row, and you get 960 litres. Need maximum space? Fold both rear rows and you’ll have 1960 litres to work with. That’s enough for moving house or taking the entire extended family’s luggage on holiday.
Two Flavors of Plug-In Hybrid Power
Standard DM-i System
The entry-level Sealion 8 uses BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid setup, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a front electric motor. The total system produces decent performance while promising excellent fuel economy – officially rated at 5.6L/100km in Chinese testing.
With a 19kWh battery, you won’t get massive electric-only range, but it should handle most daily commuting without burning petrol.
Performance DM-P Option
For families who want more excitement, the DM-P version adds a second electric motor at the rear axle, creating an all-wheel-drive system with seriously impressive numbers. We’re talking 400kW and 670Nm of combined output, which translates to a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds.
The DM-P also gets a larger 35.6kWh battery, offering up to 150km of electric-only driving under Chinese testing standards. That’s enough for most people’s daily driving without using any petrol at all.
Technology and Features
Advanced Driver Assistance
The Sealion 8 comes with BYD’s DiPilot 300 system, which sounds impressive on paper. It uses LiDAR, multiple radars, ultrasonic sensors, and a dozen cameras to power features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.
Interior Tech
Inside, you’ll find BYD’s signature rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen – a feature that’s become something of a party trick in their other models. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display for the driver.
Chinese versions come standard with leather upholstery, and Australian models are expected to follow suit, though BYD Australia hasn’t confirmed this yet.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 5040mm |
| Width | 1996mm |
| Height | 1760mm |
| Wheelbase | 2950mm |
| Seating | 7 seats (2+3+2 layout) |
| Boot Space | 675L (all seats up) |
| Boot Space | 960L (3rd row folded) |
| Maximum Boot | 1960L (behind front seats) |
| DM-i Battery | 19kWh LFP |
| DM-P Battery | 35.6kWh LFP |
| Fast Charging | 71kW DC (30-80% in 30min) |
| Fuel Economy | 5.6L/100km (Chinese cycle) |
| Electric Range | Up to 150km (DM-P, CLTC) |
What This Means for the Market
Competitive Pressure
The arrival of the Sealion 8 will put serious pressure on established players. Kia’s Sorento PHEV has had the premium plug-in hybrid seven-seater market largely to itself, while Mazda’s CX-80 PHEV is still relatively new.
BYD’s track record suggests they’ll price the Sealion 8 aggressively, potentially undercutting the competition while offering similar or better specifications.
Brand Strategy
This launch represents BYD’s commitment to the Australian market beyond just offering budget alternatives. By bringing their latest platform and newest design language here, they’re signaling serious long-term intentions.
The Timeline and What’s Next
BYD Australia has confirmed the Sealion 8 will arrive in the first quarter of 2026, but pricing and final equipment specifications are still under wraps. Given the brand’s strategy with other models, expect competitive pricing that puts pressure on established rivals.
The Sealion 8 joins the smaller Atto 2 as the newest additions to BYD’s Australian lineup, showing the brand is serious about covering all the major segments that matter to Australian buyers.
For families currently considering a large SUV purchase, it might be worth waiting to see what BYD brings to the table. The combination of seven seats, plug-in hybrid efficiency, and competitive pricing could make the Sealion 8 one of the most compelling family vehicles on the Australian market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When can I buy the BYD Sealion 8 in Australia?
A: BYD Australia has confirmed the Sealion 8 will arrive in showrooms during the first quarter of 2026 (January-March).
Q: How many seats does the Sealion 8 have?
A: The Australian-spec Sealion 8 will come as a seven-seater with a traditional 2+3+2 seating layout.
Q: What’s the difference between DM-i and DM-P versions?
A: DM-i is front-wheel drive with one electric motor, while DM-P adds a rear motor for all-wheel drive and much higher performance (4.9sec 0-100km/h vs 8.6sec).
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