BYD Sealion 6 Review: Australia's Affordable PHEV SUV

PHEVs are the second half of the bridge that leads from petrol and diesel powered engines to electric vehicles. They get the benefit of high fuel efficiencies aka lower costs, as well as a smaller carbon footprint. The BYD Sealion 6 is all set to take over the Aussie markets and pose a threat to stalwarts like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-60, or even affordable EV options from Tesla.

Pros

• Most affordable midsize SUV in the market
• Feature-loaded as standard
• Highly efficient powertrain
  

Cons

• GITI Comfort tyres aren’t good for Aussie terrain
• No spare wheel
• Too many touchscreen taps for the climate controls.
  
  

The BYD Sealion 6 is up against some of the most popular midsize SUVs we have seen that get the choice of a PHEV option. SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-90, Kia Sorento and Toyota RAV4. Like it did with the Atto 3 and Seal electric vehicles, BYD has stepped into this arena with the advantage of more affordable prices, positioning itself as an attractive value-for-money proposition. If you’re looking for more than just a good deal, read on to find out exactly what you get with the BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV..

Exteriors

Styling Elements

While some Chinese carmakers have been criticised for copy-paste design languages, the BYD lineup has comfortably avoided any such accusations. Although the Sealion 6 does not exactly stand out, it is a good looking SUV. The LED headlights follow a similar styling to those seen on the BYD Seal, the same contour line switch finishes the angle of the headlights. The front grille is sleek and compact. They’ve used graphite lines to make the front end a bit bolder.The full-LED taillights are interconnected by a slim while the rear bumper has a sporty chunkiness to it. I hope Toyota is taking notes for the next RAV4 updates.

Apart from that, there are privacy glasses, decorative roof rails, a roof-integrated spoiler, and plastic cladding along the bottom edge for rugged appeal.

Colour Options

The BYD Sealion 6 is available in 5 vibrant colours. Apart from the White, each colour will cost you $900. Ideally, this reviewer would urge you to spend that extra cash for a colour other than white which looks  a bit bland and hides some of the SUV’s suave styling details. Following are the colours of BYD Sealion 6.

Harbour Grey | Arctic White | Delan Black | Azure Blue | Stone Grey

Apart from the exterior colours, you also get two different interior colours depending upon the variant that you’ve picked for yourself.

BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic - Black + Brown

BYD Sealion 6 Premium - Blue + Grey

Wheel Design

BYD Sealion 6 has two variants and both of them share the same wheel design and wheel size. Both variants have 19-inch alloy wheels with a tyre repair kit tucked away under the boot floor. The wheel is designed like a windmill with a dual-tone premium look.

Interiors

Interior Layout & Space

Uplifting. I could leave the description at that but I need to emphasise the beauty of the interiors of BYD Sealion 6 that you get at just around $50,000. I mean the sense of sophistication that you get in the BYD plug-in hybrid SUVis something that you might not even get in cars that cost around $1,00,000. The cabin features soft touch materials all around, the storage spaces are ample. Some of you might be relieved to know that this interior does not have the same wacky details as found in the BYD Atto 3.

The centre console is created so mindfully that you won’t have to take your eyes off the road once you acclimate to the car. The centre console controls have been kept to a minimum with a bunch of functionalities moved to the large touchscreen system that acts as the cabin highlight. There is an HEV and EV toggle, there is a mode selector toggle and there is the crystal gear selector.

In the second-row of the BYD Sealion 6, there is heaps of legroom and toe room. However, the headroom is something that taller people might have to make peace with. There isn’t much headroom and if you’re someone over 6 feet tall, there is no headroom, you’ll just have to scrunch.

Comfort & Ergonomics

There is not much to differentiate the two variants of the BYD Sealion 6 by way of features and comforts, so it comes fairly well equipped as standard. The driver gets an 8-way power-adjustable seat while the passenger seats are 4-way power-adjustable. Both the front seats also have heated and ventilated functions. The long and short of this cabin is that it is extremely comfortable and cosy for long journeys. Ergonomically designed seats provide ample support, creating a pleasant driving experience. Its panoramic glass sunroof also enhances the overall cabin experience by making the cabin feel roomier.

The material quality is premium synthetic leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel, so it’s certainly not a downgrade from the cabins of similarly priced rivals. There is ample space to store itty bitty stuff like charging cables and wires and whatnot. Cleverly posed cubby holders and some more storage in the middle and under the armrests allow for those minute things that were forgotten at home to be forgotten in the car. Perhaps the most clever aspect of the BYD dashboard is that it comes with two wireless charging pads which are easy to access.

Boot

The powered tailgate of the BYD Sealion 6 opens up to give you access to 425 litres of cargo space which is okay for an SUV this size, but nothing impressive. You can transport a couple of medium-size suitcases, or a bunch of smaller ones. But if you need more, you can fold down the rear bench which increases the cargo capacity to 1,440 litres.  

Even in the cabin, there is ample space to store itty bitty stuff like charging cables and wires and whatnot. Cleverly posed cubby holders and some more storage in the middle and under the armrests allow for those minute things that were forgotten at home to be forgotten in the car.

Technology & Infotainment

What follows is a portion of an exhaustive list of technology and infotainment features which make a bang-for-buck offering. It has the BYD’s unique rotating central infotainment touchscreen which works best in portrait mode, and a slew of creature comforts that make the Sealion 6 an easy car to live with. The tech features are pretty much inclusive for all types of urban use and have been mindfully curated to serve almost all needs, whether it's a single person or a family owner Seal. Another great thing about these features are that they are standard across the variants.

Technology Features

• Steering wheel-mounted controls
• ACC and 360° camera
• 12.3-inch LCD instrumentation
• Driver seat 8-way power-adjustable
• Passenger seat 4-way power-adjustable
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Keyless entry & start
• NFC card key
• 2 x wireless phone charger (15W)
• 12V accessory socket
• PM2.5 filtration system
• Automatic dual-zone air conditioner
• Panoramic sunroof
• Head-Up Display (HUD)
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Auto-windows with anti-trap
• Soundproof glass - front windows
• Privacy glass - rear windows and rear windscreen
• Rear windscreen with electric heating and defrosting
• 1 x USB-C & 1 x USB-A, Front
• 1 x USB-C & 1 x USB-A, Rear
• V2L function
• V2L discharge adaptor
  

Infotainment & Connectivity Options

• AM/FM & DAB Radio
• Apple CarPlay® (wired) and Android Auto™ (wireless)
• Bluetooth® phone connectivity and audio streaming
• 15.6-Inch intelligent rotating touchscreen
• Infinity® audio, 10 speakers
• Voice assistant
• Satellite navigation
• Music streaming
• BYD app store
• OTA updates
  

Performance & Engine

The biggest difference between the two variants of the BYD Sealion 6 lies under the bonnet. The Dynamic variant has a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine while the Premium variant enjoys a lot more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. This is a great segmentation for consumers. For urban driving purposes, the engine of the Dynamic variant is enough, however, if you want the traveller in you to take over every now and then I suggest you stretch your budget for the Premium variant.

Engine Specifications

Transmission & Drive System

BYD Sealion 6 has an automatic transmission only as it can switch between hybrid (engine and battery) or pure EV (battery only).  The Dynamic variant is front-wheel-drive with a single electric motor, while the Premium variant has all-wheel-drive thanks to a dual-motor system. It also has three drive modes - Eco, Normal and Sport. In the all-wheel-drive version, you also get traction modes - Mud, Sand and Snow - but it is primarily an urban SUV.    

Braking System

The BYD Sealion 6 has been fitted with ventilated disc brakes both in the front and rear. It has adequate stopping power but it could probably do better with grippier tyres than the GITI set it comes with.

Fuel Economy & Efficiency

Different engines mean different economy figures. However, once you see how neck-and-neck these figures are, you’ll be pleased with whichever variant you go with.

The Dynamic variant promises 1.4 litres for every 100 kilometres while the BYD Sealion 6 Premium claims to consume a meagre 1.1 litres for every 100 kilometres. Now, when it comes to the plug-in hybrids, these figures are achieved under test conditions where the battery usually does most of the work until it is fully discharged and you become entirely dependent on the engine to generate more power for the electric motors. So you can expect great fuel efficiencies, as long as you remember to plug in and charge the 18.8kWh battery pack whenever needed.

BYD also claims a pure EV range of 80 to 90 kilometres for the Sealion 6, depending on the variant choses. The Blade battery pack here supports upto 18kW DC charging speeds

Do be mindful that real world figures may vary a bit depending upon the condition of the car, driving habits and terrain.  Also, it does need RON95 fuel so that could raise your petrol-budget a bit.

Handling & Driving Dynamics

Yes, the more powerful BYD Sealion 6 Premium with its extra power and all-wheel-drive is more fun in a straight line, both have similar dynamic capabilities. The steering wheel is light, handy in the city, but does not offer much feedback and struggles to give you the confidence to chuck the SUV around fast bends. The ride is nice and soft to deal with most undulations of city roads, but the suspension could benefit from some Australia-specific tuning. t

The great thing about driving the BYD Sealion 6 is that it goes from 0-100 in 7.4 seconds when on EV mode and rushes to 0-100 in 6.2 seconds when on ICE. Either way, the pick-up speed is great for a family-oriented SUV like this.

Safety Features

The BYD Seal has a comprehensive list of safety features both advanced and passive safety features to provide maximum ease of mind while cruising through urban landscapes.

• Front airbags - driver & front passenger
• Side airbags - driver & front passenger
• Side curtain airbags - front & rear
• Far-side airbags - driver
• Front warning force-limited seat belt
• Rear warning force-limited seat belt
• Seat belt reminder - front & rear
• 360° Camera
• Front Parking Sensor (2 Zones)
• Rear Parking Sensor (4 Zones)
• ISOFIX Child restraint anchorage points
• Mechanical child safety lock
• Intelligent power brake system
  

Advanced Safety Features

• Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
• Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
• Hill Hold Control (HHC)
• Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
• Front Collision Warning (FCW)
• Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
• Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
• Trac Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Information (ISLI)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC)
• Front Cross Trac Alert (FCTA)
• Front Cross Trac Brake (FCTB)
• Rear Cross Trac Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Cross Trac Brake (RCTB)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Door Open Warning (DOW)
• Trailer Stability Control (TSM)
• High Beam Assist (HMA)
• Child Presence Detection (CPD)
  

Crash Test Ratings

The BYD Sealion 6 does not have a valid ANCAP rating yet. It hasn’t been tested by ANCAP ever since its inception and thus does not have a historical record for reference. While the does have a long list of safety features, lack of an ANCAP report could definitely be a deal breaker for some.

Ownership Experience

Owning a BYD Sealion 6 is a highly rewarding experience, especially for those seeking an eco-friendly and technologically advanced vehicle. The Sealion 6 boasts a sleek, modern design that stands out with its aerodynamic lines and distinctive LED lighting, reflecting its innovative nature. Inside, the cabin is spacious and well-appointed, featuring high-quality materials and advanced amenities that ensure comfort and convenience. The infotainment system is state-of-the-art, offering a large touchscreen interface with seamless smartphone integration, navigation, and a premium audio system, keeping drivers connected and entertained. One of the standout aspects is the electric powertrain, providing a smooth, quiet ride with impressive acceleration and a commendable range, reducing the need for frequent charging. Safety is paramount, with a comprehensive suite of features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. BYD's reputation for quality and innovation, coupled with a strong warranty, enhances the ownership experience, making the Sealion 6 a compelling choice for those embracing the future of driving.

Major Drawbacks

• Same old BYD issue. The infotainment system has everything and there are no manual toggles to change the temperature, so you have to forage the screen just to switch on the air conditioner and/or later the temperature.
  
• No single pedal or paddle shifters for the battery regen settings which are common among fully-electric vehicles.
  
  

Major Strengths

• BYD Blade battery is a LFP battery, which means it is a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery which is the safest battery today in the world. You can pierce through it on a full charge and it will not combust.
  
• The value-for-money scale is sitting heavily in favour of value. There’s just so much that you get.
  

Maintenance & Warranty Information

Owning a BYD is getting easier by the day. With BYD opening new service centres across the nation and partnering up with Mycar to expand into licensing additional service locations, the service and maintenance cost of BYD is only getting more and more affordable. Here’s a link to every service station of BYD in Australia. Click Here!

The servicing of BYD is also capped for all the 3 cars for now. Here’s a table explaining the service timings and cost.

Verdict

The BYD Sealion 6 is hard to fault as an affordably priced mid-size SUV. Yes, it has some flaws but they’re not the end of the world, and it fulfils three primary necessities of a plug-in hybrid vehicle;

• Cheap to purchase
• Cheap to run
• Cheap to maintain
  

If you’re in the market for SUV looking at Mahindra XUV or Mahindra Scorpio, you can just simply invest in the BYD Sealion 6 which is a great SUV package offering equal parts comfort and drive capabilities.

Reference

Brochure

Owners Manual