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2027 BYD Sealion 8 review

5 day_ago 16

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Sharks may top the marine food chain, but it's a mammal that rules BYD's automotive aquarium.

Perched right at the top of BYD's local lineup, the Sealion 8 Premium is bigger, dearer and more ambitious than any of its tank-mates.

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The headline figures make for impressive reading: seven seats, four with massage functionality, a 21-speaker sound system, 359kW of power and 675Nm of torque from a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, 152km of claimed electric range, and much, much more. Certainly enough, you’d think, to justify the elevated price tag.

Or is it? Because while this flagship large SUV overwhelms on paper, that doesn't necessarily mean it's good to drive or easy to live with.

So we set the spec sheet aside to see how BYD's best stacks up in the real world.

How much does the BYD Sealion 8 cost?

On test here is the top-shelf Premium variant with all-wheel drive, priced at $70,990 before on-road costs.

However, the Sealion 8 can be had from as little as $56,990 plus on-roads in Dynamic front-wheel drive guise. A cheaper AWD version is also available.

Alternatives outside the BYD stable include the Chery Tiggo 9 (from $52,990 plus ORCs), Jaecoo J8 SHS ($59,990 plus ORCs), Skoda Kodiaq PHEV ($63,490 plus ORCs), Mazda CX-80 P50e (from $68,100 plus ORCs), and Kia Sorento PHEV (from $70,880 plus ORCs) – all of which offer plug-in hybrid power and seven seats at a similar price point.

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the BYD Sealion 8 like on the inside?

The recipe is unremarkable, but premium ingredients render the Sealion 8 Premium's interior worthy of a Michelin star.

It's unbelievably luxurious for the money, boasting space, materials and features typically reserved for more expensive metal.

A thick layer of synthetic leather is smattered across the upper part of the dash and door cards, wrapping around you to create a warm, cocooning ambience. Surfaces you're more likely to come into contact with, including the steering wheel, armrest and centre console, are also soft to the touch.

The seats – upholstered in genuine, textured cowhide – somehow elevate the space further. They’re deeply cushioned, nicely bolstered and supportive under the thighs, while heating, ventilation, massage and full electric adjustment cover just about every comfort base.

Better still, the massage function – with its five modes and three intensity settings – can be activated via a shortcut button on the side of the seat, saving you an unwanted trip through the touchscreen menus.

As for the steering wheel, well that's heated too, and features a suitably upmarket stitched leatherette centre panel.

On the space front, the Sealion 8 makes the most of its sheer physical width. There’s a real sense of separation between driver and passenger, while large windows and a panoramic glass roof help offset the dark interior by keeping the cabin feeling open and airy when you want it to. At the same time, the powered sunshade automatically closes when you exit the car, preventing Australia’s sizzling sun from baking the cabin while it’s parked.

Storage is in strong supply, too. Up front, you get two cupholders, the same number of phone charging pads, a deep centre armrest bin, and a small tray beneath the central bridge. There’s also a conventional glovebox, useful door bins, extra storage near the window switches, and an overhead sunglasses holder.

Physical controls aren't nearly as abundant, though. A few basic functions run through buttons on the centre console and steering wheel, but seat and air temperature adjustments both require use of the touchscreen, a process I find tedious and distracting.

It’s not like there’s no room for extra switchgear, either, given the gear selector is a steering column-mounted stalk.

At least BYD hasn't buried the side mirror controls.

The touchscreen itself is a large 15.6-inch unit with sharp graphics and an increasingly familiar layout. Visually, it can take a moment to boot up, although the oriental welcome tune never seems to miss a beat. And once awake, the system is reasonably quick to respond to touch inputs.

Many owners will understandably default to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, neither of which require a wired connection. However, I faced intermittent connectivity issues, occasionally having to manually select my iPhone 17 after startup before mirroring would kick in.

It's a good thing the Sealion 8 offers a decent alternative, then.

Google Built-in brings native Maps, Play Store access, an AI assistant, and a broader app ecosystem. YouTube comes pre-installed.

And by using these integrated features, you preserve the battery life of your smartphone, although USB-C, 12V and wireless charging options are all available if needed.

Shifting across, you’ll find a much smaller, slightly cluttered instrument screen showing the essentials alongside a couple of selectable nice-to-knows.

The cluster can also display Waze and Google Maps navigation, making directions easier to follow at a glance.

Further support comes from a huge 26-inch head-up display, which is fairly basic but keeps key information front and centre.

Audio is pumped through a whopping 21-speaker DiSound system, delivering clear, powerful sound. The speakers are beautifully integrated around the A-pillars, dash and door cards, adding to the Premium's high-end feel.

There's no quality drop-off as you move back through the cabin, either, as second-row passengers are treated to lush materials and comfortable seating just like those up front.

The outboard seats are heated, ventilated and massaging, while the bench slides and reclines to balance second- and third-row space. With it slid back, legroom poses no issue. Even with it slid forward, adults can still fit comfortably enough, tucking their feet under the front pews.

Only giants topping six-five are likely to bonk their heads against the glass roof.

All the seat toys – as well as the rear climate controls – are accessible through a small touch panel on the back of the centre console. Its inclusion has necessitated the relocation of the air vents to the B-pillars, which is neither here nor there in my opinion.

You also get USB-A and USB-C outlets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, map pockets and roomy door bins, although the absence of window shades is a notable omission from an otherwise luxurious cabin.

The third row is less convincing.

Access is limited to the passenger/kerb side, and adults will find kneeroom, toeroom and headroom tight. Kids will be much happier.

That said, the bench itself is surprisingly comfortable, with decent cushioning and a relaxed backrest angle. Third-row passengers also get ceiling vents, reading lights and cupholders, but no power outlets.

With five seats in use, the boot is huge and easy to load, featuring a flat floor, 12V outlet and cargo cover. The only obvious omissions are underfloor storage for charging cables.

Cargo capacity takes a considerable hit with the third row up, leaving room for only around half a dozen grocery bags. As such, you’ll be forced to make some tricky packing decisions when planning a weekend away with extended family.

Switching between the seven- and five-seat configurations is as simple as tugging on the tabs protruding from the third-row seatbacks.

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The Sealion 8 Premium is powered by a plug-in hybrid system based around a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors – one for each axle.

In most situations, the 110kW/220Nm petrol engine effectively acts as a generator for the electric motors rather than a direct source of propulsion, although it can drive the wheels at higher speeds.

Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality is standard across the Sealion 8 range, allowing you to power small electrical appliances directly from the vehicle.

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the BYD Sealion 8 drive?

Exactly how a big family bus should.

For starters, the Sealion 8 is comfortable. Like, really comfortable.

Perhaps I shouldn't speak for the base variant, with its slightly less sophisticated suspension setup, but the Premium absolutely nails its brief. The flagship pairs double wishbones up front with a multi-link rear suspension and BYD’s DiSus-C electronic semi-active dampers that adjust in real time, all of which contribute to the kind of pillowy plushness you’d normally associate with vehicles twice its price.

But, just as importantly, that softness is controlled. Plenty of Chinese SUVs favour comfort over control, but few feel this composed. Vertical movement is kept in check, and the body settles quickly after successive bumps or undulations.

Lesser country roads can still trip up the trick suspension, with nastier potholes occasionally sending a thump through the cabin. Yet even when the suspension is caught out, the Sealion 8’s excellent seats take the sting out of the impact.

Smaller imperfections barely register at all, while fresher urban roads are negotiated without fuss.

The Sealion 8 is relatively easy to drive smoothly, too, despite boasting powertrain outputs to rival a Porsche 911 GT3. Eco mode softens throttle response for a more relaxed school run, while strong regenerative braking blends seamlessly into the friction brakes for a natural pedal feel.

That's just as well, because the Sealion 8 is also big. Like, really big.

Measuring more than five metres long and nearly two metres wide, this behemoth struggles in city confines, regularly pushing the limits of standard lanes and parking spaces. The fitment of high-resolution surround-view cameras somewhat makes up for the latter, but I still can't say I truly enjoyed taking the Sealion 8 shopping.

Thankfully I wasn't forced to do this often, as most of my week with our test car was spent touring Victoria with my fiancée and in-laws, so highway driving made up a large chunk of the test.

Here, the Sealion 8 is right at home. Its size doesn't matter so much on wider roads, and you're fully able to appreciate the comfort on offer.

Further, while some PHEVs can feel a little stressed at higher speeds once their battery charge depletes, BYD's system is both meaty and clever enough to hang onto some electrons for effortless cruising and overtaking.

That said, the little 1.5-litre engine is quite coarse when called into action. It also makes an awful racket under full throttle, although you rarely need to push it that hard given the 359kW and 675Nm on tap.

There's no getting around the road roar, though, which detracts from the Sealion 8's luxury-car credentials. Tyre and traffic noise too easily penetrate the cabin, reflected in my 66.4dB highway reading – a full 10dB higher than the smaller, cheaper Sealion 6 Essential. Thicker glass and/or additional sound deadening would therefore go a long way towards improving refinement.

But at least the advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) rarely join in the chorus. None of the overspeed, driver monitoring or lane-keep systems beep or bong more often than they should, while the infotainment system’s swipe-down quick controls can be configured with shortcuts to disable such functions.

The cruise control tech is similarly well-judged, offering a choice between standard adaptive cruise control and a more advanced semi-autonomous driving mode. The former is particularly impressive, managing speed accurately and adapting smoothly to changing traffic conditions.

Twistier country roads put the onus back on the driver, and draw attention to the Sealion 8's handling characteristics.

As you'd probably expect, it's not the most dynamic SUV going around. That would require BYD to defy physics.

Even so, the Sealion 8 stays reasonably level through corners when driven sensibly, helped by adaptive suspension that firms up to improve body control. Premium Goodyear tyres also keep it glued to the road, while all-wheel drive adds another layer of security, particularly in the wet.

As is now common, the steering is very, very light. Just don’t let that distract you from the responsibility of piloting a 2.6-tonne SUV.

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The list of standard equipment for the top-spec Premium is best described as long and luxurious, especially considering its asking price.

2026 BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD equipment highlights:

20-inch alloy wheels
Hankook 255/50 R20 tyres
Tyre repair kit
Adaptive LED headlights
Cornering lights
Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade
Power tailgate
Rain-sensing wipers with built-in washer jets
Rear privacy glass
Keyless entry and start with key fob, NFC card, BYD digital key
Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow drive modes
Electronic parking brake with auto hold
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
2GB of included data per month for the first two years
Over-the-air software updates
Nap, camping and car wash modes
50W wireless phone charger
3-zone climate control with 2nd and 3rd row air vents
10-speaker sound system
Leatherette upholstery
6-way power-adjustable front seats
Heated and ventilated front seats
Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
4-way steering column adjustment
2 x USB-C outlets (front)
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A outlet (second row)

Sealion 8 Dynamic AWD adds:

21-inch alloy wheels
Goodyear 265/45 R21 tyres
DiSus-C intelligent damping suspension
Perforated brake discs and fixed calipers front and rear
Mud and Sand drive modes

Sealion 8 Premium AWD adds:

26-inch head-up display
Leather seat upholstery
8-way power driver’s seat
Massaging front seats with 4-way power lumbar, power-adjustable leg rests
Massaging, heating and ventilation for outboard second-row seats
Heated steering wheel
21-speaker DiSound sound system
Multi-colour ambient lighting
Footwell lighting
Memory for mirrors

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the BYD Sealion 8 safe?

Neither the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) nor Euro NCAP have crash-tested the BYD Sealion 8 – a potential red flag for safety-conscious buyers.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Unlike the Kia Sorento and Chery Tiggo 8, the Sealion 8’s third row gets both curtain airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Standard safety equipment includes:

9 airbags, incl:
Adaptive cruise control
Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Child presence detection
Driver distraction and fatigue detection
Emergency lane-keep assist
Front and rear parking sensors
Front cross-traffic assist
Intelligent speed limit assist
Lane-keep assist
Rear cross-traffic assist
Surround-view camera
Traffic sign recognition
Tyre pressure monitoring
Emergency eCall

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the BYD Sealion 8 cost to run?

The Sealion 8 is backed by a six-year, 150,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.

Service pricing is capped for up to 11 years, with BYD charging $1628 for the first five years of routine maintenance – substantially less than you'll pay to service a plug-in hybrid Sorento ($3409), Tiggo 9 ($3174), Kodiaq ($3000), or CX-80 ($2766) over the same period.

BYD's 20,000km service intervals are also notably more generous than those set by most modern automakers.

To see how the BYD Sealion 8 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the BYD Sealion 8 Premium AWD

Those who spend up for the Sealion 8 Premium will want for little.

Because while $71k plus ORCs sounds like a lot to spend on a BYD, this is no ordinary BYD. Rather, it’s a borderline luxury SUV that delivers comfort, performance and efficiency comparable with vehicles costing nearly twice as much.

The lack of a safety rating may deter some family buyers, as might the tight third row. But if anything, the Sealion 8 shines brightest as a spacious five-seater. As do many three-row SUVs, to be honest.

That includes the Chery Tiggo 9 and related Jaecoo J8 SHS, both of which tick similar boxes for considerably less money.

Now, I haven’t driven the J8 just yet, but our experience with the Tiggo 9 suggests BYD’s marine mammal is the more polished product overall. Whether that extra polish is worth the price premium ultimately comes down to your budget and priorities.

Against similarly equipped yet far more expensive plug-in hybrid versions of the Mazda CX-80 and Kia Sorento, though, the Sealion 8 shapes up as an absolute bargain.