Looking to buy a new 7-seat hybrid SUV? BYD is getting ready to launch its Sealion 8 which might be of interest. It packs a powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain into a practical three-row-seat SUV.
Two powertrain options are being presented, including FWD and AWD, with three main trim levels; Dynamic, Dynamic AWD, and Premium AWD. All use BYD’s latest DM 5.0 Super Hybrid system offering an electric range of over 100km.
Energy is provided by a 19kWh battery in the FWD, paired with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder combining to produce 205kW and 315Nm. Step up to the AWD and you get a 35.6kWh battery, with output boosted to an impressive 359kW and 675Nm.
BYD claims 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds in the AWD, making it one of the most powerful and quickest combustion-engined 7-seater SUVs on sale. The AWD also offers 152km range (NEDC). The FWD does 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.6 seconds, and offers 103km range (NEDC).
Max charging rates are 11kW for AC power, and 40kW for the FWD with DC power and 74kW for the AWD with DC power.
Some of the standard features include a 15.6-inch touch-screen interface, three-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB-A and -C ports across all three rows, V2L charging, and a boot measuring 270L/960L/1960L with the third and second rows folded.
The BYD Sealion 8 weighs a hefty 2315kg in FWD form, and 2580kg in AWD form. They offer a braked towing capacity of 1800kg (FWD) and 2000kg (AWD) – both of which are much lower than many of the popular 7-seat SUV rivals in this class, although not many offer plug-in hybrid power.
Other standard highlights include a surround-view camera system, tyre pressure monitoring, 4G cloud network, a 50W wireless phone charger, and 20-inch alloy wheels for the base model and 21-inch wheels for the AWD models. They wear Hankook 255/50 tyres on the 20s, and Goodyear 265/45 tyres on the AWD 21s.
The new model is on sale now with prices starting from the following (excluding on-road costs):
2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD: $56,990
2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD: $63,990
2026 BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD: $70,990
