BYD Sealion 8 Price, Specs and What to Check
The BYD Sealion 8 is BYD's first seven-seat SUV in Australia — a large plug-in hybrid that went on sale in early 2026. It starts at A$56,990 before on-road costs for the front-wheel-drive Dynamic and tops out at A$70,990 for the all-wheel-drive Premium. Here are the prices, the specs that differ between versions, and what to check on a used or demo car.
| Variant | Price (before on-road costs) | Drive / system power | Battery / electric range (NEDC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic FWD | A$56,990 | FWD / 205 kW | 19.0 kWh / 103 km |
| Dynamic AWD | A$63,990 | AWD / 359 kW | 35.6 kWh / 152 km |
| Premium AWD | A$70,990 | AWD / 359 kW | 35.6 kWh / 152 km |
Launch prices announced in January 2026; deliveries began in early 2026. Confirm current drive-away pricing and offers with an official BYD dealer.
What the BYD Sealion 8 is
The Sealion 8 is a large seven-seat SUV (2+3+2) with BYD's DM-i plug-in hybrid system: a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine working with one electric motor on front-wheel-drive versions, or two on all-wheel-drive versions. It is 5,040 mm long on a 2,950 mm wheelbase. In China the same car is sold as the Tang L, and some other markets call it the Atto 8.
BYD Sealion 8 specs
The bigger battery and rear motor on the AWD versions add about 50 km of electric range and cut the 0–100 km/h time almost in half. Braked towing is only 750 kg on every version — far less than most large SUVs — so the Sealion 8 is not one for towing a caravan.
| Spec | Dynamic FWD | Dynamic AWD / Premium AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbo petrol, 110 kW | 1.5-litre turbo petrol, 110 kW |
| Electric motors | One (front), 200 kW | Two (front and rear), 200 kW each |
| System power / torque | 205 kW / 315 Nm | 359 kW / 675 Nm |
| Battery (LFP Blade) | 19.0 kWh | 35.6 kWh |
| Electric range (NEDC) | 103 km | 152 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 4.9 seconds |
| Braked towing | 750 kg | 750 kg |
| Boot (7 / 5 / 2 seats) | 270 / 960 / 1,960 litres | 270 / 960 / 1,960 litres |
Australian specifications from BYD's January 2026 launch details. Electric range is on the NEDC cycle, which is more optimistic than WLTP.
BYD Sealion 8 warranty and safety
In Australia the Sealion 8 gets BYD's standard cover: 6 years / 150,000 km on the vehicle and 8 years / 160,000 km on the high-voltage battery. It has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, tested under ANCAP's 2023–2025 protocol.
The 2026 build-date issue
In July 2026 BYD Australia found that 1,265 Atto 3, Shark 6 and Sealion 8 vehicles had been sold as 2026 builds although they were built in 2025, because its system recorded the date a car left the factory instead of the build date. BYD offered affected owners a full refund, a swap to a 2026-built car, or compensation that rose to A$3,500. It is not a safety recall, but it matters for value: the VIN and compliance plate show the real build date.
Buying a used or demo Sealion 8
Demo and near-new Sealion 8s are now appearing at dealers. Decode the VIN to confirm the variant — the front-wheel-drive Dynamic has a much smaller battery than the AWD versions — and the true build date, check for open recalls, and confirm when the warranty started, because a demonstrator's cover can begin when it was first registered rather than when you buy it. A privately imported Chinese-market Tang L may not be covered by BYD Australia's warranty.
FAQ
How much is the BYD Sealion 8 in Australia?
From A$56,990 before on-road costs for the Dynamic FWD, A$63,990 for the Dynamic AWD and A$70,990 for the Premium AWD.
Is the BYD Sealion 8 a 7 seater?
Yes. Every Australian Sealion 8 has seven seats in a 2+3+2 layout, with 270 litres of boot space when all three rows are in use.
Is the BYD Sealion 8 a hybrid?
Yes — a plug-in hybrid. It can drive 103 km (FWD) or 152 km (AWD) on electricity on the NEDC cycle before the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine takes over.
How much can the BYD Sealion 8 tow?
750 kg braked on every version, which is low for a large SUV.
What is the BYD Sealion 8 called in China?
The Tang L. Some other markets sell it as the Atto 8.
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