BYD Sealion 06 — Larger, Quicker, Stronger, Higher

Final Up to date on: twenty sixth July 2025, 04:07 pm

The BYD Sealion 6 first appeared in 2020 as a gasoline-powered midsize SUV in China, earlier than BYD made the choice in 2021 to supply solely battery electrical and plug-in hybrid fashions going ahead. That gave the impression to be an enormous gamble on the time, however since then, BYD has seen its gross sales soar, making it one of many world’s largest automobile firms by quantity.

In 2021, the Sealion 6 grew to become the Sealion 06. A 12 months in the past, David Waterworth, our correspondent in Australia, shared the impressions of his good friend Garry after driving the plug-in hybrid model of the first-generation Sealion 06 for 3 months. One of many issues that impressed Garry probably the most was that the automobile value about $27,000 AUS lower than an equal mannequin from Mitsubishi.

In April, BYD unveiled the next-generation Sealion 06, which sells in China for 139,800 to 163,800 yuan ($19,500 to 22,700) in line with Automotive Information China. From the images, what we see is a completely trendy wanting midsize SUV that — squint just a little — seems to be just like the Tesla Mannequin Y, which sells for almost twice as a lot in China.

The break up headlight motif might not be everyone’s cup of tea, however it’s a styling function discovered on many vehicles at the moment, significantly Genesis fashions from Hyundai Motor Company. Like it or hate it, the look is extra interesting than the nuclear powered cheese grater grille that Lexus likes to slap on the entrance of its vehicles.

The brand new midsize SUV relies on BYD’s “e-platform 3.0 evo,” which is able to charging at 800 volts. Just like the first-generation Sealion 06, it’s provided in its residence market each as a pure electrical car and as a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV model makes use of a modified platform, however each vehicles share the identical exterior look. In Europe, BYD presents a really comparable mannequin below the identify Seal U. At present, that automobile is battery electrical solely, however a plug-in hybrid model will likely be provided in European quickly.

In contrast instantly, the brand new era seems to be noticeably smoother and extra refined, Electrive says. “On the entrance, the break up headlights and the air curtains built-in into the bumper are significantly placing. The rear contains a fashionable full-width gentle bar.” BYD says the second-generation automobile is three centimeters longer than the unique, coming in at 4.81 meters (16 ft). That makes it a bit bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is 4,750 mm (15.6 ft) lengthy. The brand new mannequin is 1.92 meters (6.3 ft) extensive and 1.67 meters (5.5 ft) excessive. It weighs between 1.9 and a pair of.2 metric tons, relying on how it’s configured.

Three Configurations For BYD Sealion 06 BEV

In battery electrical type, the Sealion 06 is available in three configurations. Two rear-wheel-drive variations provide a alternative between a 170 kW (228 hp) or a 180 kW (241 hp) motor. The twin-motor, all-wheel-drive efficiency model makes use of the 180 kW motor on the rear and provides a second motor driving the entrance wheels for a mixed output of 310 kW (416 hp). BYD presents drivers a alternative of two battery packs — 65.3 or 78.7 kWh — each of which use the corporate’s proprietary Blade LFP battery expertise.

At present, BYD markets its plug-in hybrid fashions for Europe with a 26.6 kWh battery — just a little bigger than the battery within the unique Nissan LEAF — which provides them really spectacular battery-only vary of 170 km (105 miles). At CleanTechnica, we all know lots of our readers are conflicted about PHEVs. Why add the complexity of two powertrains whenever you solely want one? And in reality, the information means that PHEVs have extra upkeep and restore points than both combustion engine or battery-powered vehicles, so why burden your self with them?

The reply is vary anxiousness. Battery-powered vehicles are nonetheless comparatively new expertise and the charging infrastructure will not be as sturdy because it might be. In case you run low on battery cost in South Succotash or East Overshoe on a wet night time with no EV chargers round, that may be a problem. Higher secure than sorry appears to be the most typical clarification for why some folks desire PHEVs over BEVs.

With 100 miles of vary, a PHEV could be pushed like a battery-powered automobile. Drive it, plug it in an night time, and by no means go to a fuel station once more. Simply don’t overlook to place a dollop of STABIL within the tank to maintain your gasoline from turning to jelly because it sits, unused and unloved, month after month. The automobile will create nearly no carbon emissions, the driving force will get to economize as a result of electrical energy prices lower than gasoline, and the proprietor will get used to plugging in, which is able to make one thing as soon as dreaded right into a nothing burger, or perhaps a profit. Can a PHEV be a gateway drug to pure battery electrical motoring? Completely.

Midsize On The Exterior, Huge On The Inside

On the within, the BYD Sealion 06 has a lot to suggest it, beginning with a panoramic glass roof and together with heated and ventilated seats. There’s additionally numerous room for the stuff folks prefer to convey with then after they go locations. With the rear seats up, there are 757 liters (27 cu ft) of room for issues of all shapes, sizes, and descriptions. With the rear seats folded down, the cupboard space greater than doubles to 1,630 (58 cu ft). There may be additionally a frunk up entrance in battery electrical variations with a further 142 liters (5 cu ft) of storage.

The Sealion 06 presents plenty of what folks prefer to name “worth for cash.” Put one other approach, clients really feel like they’re getting greater than they paid for, which is just about the important thing to the gross sales recreation. The value in Europe will likely be considerably increased than in China, largely due to the tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese language vehicles, however BYD has the reply. It’s planning two European factories and a 3rd in Turkey, which is able to enable it to keep away from these pesky tariffs and put value strain on conventional EU producers like Volkswagen, Fiat, and Renault.

The BYD Sealion 06 represents a distillation of the most recent considering on this planet of cars. It’s the proper measurement for a lot of drivers, has adequate cargo capability, has all of the bells and whistles within the inside anybody might presumably need, and comes with a really aggressive beginning value. It additionally illustrates how Tesla has presumably painted itself right into a nook. BYD has the posh of providing its clients a alternative between a PHEV or a battery electrical. Tesla has no such PHEV possibility — a mirrored image of the philosophy of its chief, Elon Musk.

Ten years in the past, that single-minded concentrate on battery electrical vehicles appeared like a profitable technique. At this time? Not a lot. The lesson right here appears to be that philosophy doesn’t essentially translate into an excellent advertising technique. That’s the reason BYD is consuming Tesla’s lunch at the moment and appears poised to proceed doing so for the foreseeable future.