BYD SEALION 8
A very large family PHEV with enough electric range for the plug to genuinely matter.
Provisional assessment based on published specifications, Australian reviews and available data. It is not a WATTCAR COTY test score and will be replaced by our own testing.
AWD models claim 152km NEDC EV range from a 35.6kWh LFP battery.
Up to 74kW DC on AWD models is useful for a PHEV, though well below BEV speeds.
Reviews praise ride and balance; AWD performance is extremely strong for a seven-seater.
Three rows, substantial cargo capacity and a spacious, well-equipped cabin.
Strong equipment and V2L; some reviewers find menus and controls over-layered.
Pricing is aggressive for the size, equipment, EV range and performance offered.
THE NUMBERS
| Powertrain | 1.5L turbo PHEV |
|---|---|
| Battery | 19.0kWh FWD / 35.6kWh AWD LFP |
| Electric range | 103km FWD / 152km AWD NEDC |
| System output | 205kW FWD / 359kW AWD |
| 0–100km/h | 8.6 sec FWD / 4.9 sec AWD |
| Max DC charging | 40kW FWD / 74kW AWD |
| Seats / max cargo | 7 / 1,960L |
WATT WE THINK — SO FAR
The Sealion 8 is not a BEV — and that's exactly why it belongs in WattCar's plug-in conversation. The AWD version carries enough battery to make daily electric driving realistic while retaining petrol flexibility for long family trips. Its sheer size and weight are the counterargument.
WATT REALLY MATTERS
Will owners actually plug it in often enough to exploit that large PHEV battery, and what does its real electric range look like away from the generous NEDC test cycle?
THE KILLERWATT
Would we actually buy it?WE WANT TO FIND OUT.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Research makes a strong case, particularly on space, EV range and value. But this is precisely the kind of PHEV that needs WattCar real-world testing before we call it.