For families juggling school runs, weekend sports, grocery loops, and holiday road trips, the brief for choosing the right car is simple: generous space for growing kids, strong safety credentials, fuel efficiency that keeps weekly costs down, practical touches that make everyday driving easier, and a price tag that doesn't sting, of course. The new BYD SEALION 8 leans directly into that brief — a 7-seat plug-in hybrid SUV designed less for show and more for the rhythm of real life.

The BYD SEALION 8 will enter the Australian market on 14th February 2026, marking the brand's first full-size, three-row SUV for families seeking reliable performance. Positioned for families curious about electrification but not ready to give up the reassurance of petrol, the SEALION 8 is now accepting orders, with deliveries continuing through 2026.

If you're considering your first family SUV, or upgrading from one that's starting to feel a little too small for growing kids and busy weekends, the SEALION 8 ticks plenty of family boxes.

Here's how it stacks up for families.

BYD SEALION 8 Coming to Australia: Book a FREE Test Drive

School-Run Ready: When Does the BYD SEALION 8 Land in Australia?

The BYD SEALION 8 lands in Australia on 14th February 2026, marking BYD's first full-size, 3-row SUV for Aussie families. It's positioned as the brand's flagship family model — spacious, efficient, and designed for everyday Australian driving.

Cabin Culture: Comfort, Tech and Everyday Usability

Step inside and the focus is clear: calm, comfortable and built for long days in the car.

Three-zone climate control reaches all rows, heated and ventilated seats help keep occupants comfortable across seasons, and there's up to 1,960 litres of cargo space when the rear rows are folded. That's more than enough room for prams, sports bags and the weekly shop.

The safety features are impressive. Nine airbags extend to the third row, while advanced driver-assist tech and a 360-degree view system support school drop-offs, tight parking, and long motorway stretches.

Hybrid Thinking With Two Powertrain Personalities

Not ready to go full electric? No worries. The SEALION 8 is built around BYD's latest Dual-Mode 5.0 plug-in hybrid system, offered in two distinct characters.

DM-i prioritises efficiency and smooth daily driving, while DM-p focuses on performance, delivering more power and an adaptive DiSus-C suspension that actively adjusts damping to balance comfort and control. Both pair a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with electric motors, offering a blend of electric-first driving and long-distance capability.

It can travel up to 100-152 kilometres on electric power alone, meaning school pick-ups, trips to the movies, and coffee runs often require no petrol. When petrol and electric power combine, total driving range extends well beyond typical EV limits — ideal for family road trips where charging stops aren't always convenient. Some estimates suggest a combined range of up to 1,200 km, depending on driving conditions.

Performance With Pace and Poise

Even in family mode, the SEALION 8 isn't sluggish. Higher-spec models produce up to 359kW, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in about 4.9 seconds — quick for a large 7-seater, but tuned more for smooth confidence than sportiness.

In everyday driving, that translates to effortless merging, easy overtaking on highways and less strain when fully loaded with kids and luggage.

The Family Budget Factor — Pricing That Makes Sense

Pricing starts at $56,990 before on-road costs, rising into the low-$70K range depending on drivetrain and features. That places the BYD SEALION 8 competitively among large family SUVs known for their fuel efficiency, comfort, and long-term value for money. 

How the SEALION 8 Compares to Other Large Hybrid SUVs in Australia

Within Australia's growing hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs segment, the SEALION 8 positions itself as a practical, value-focused choice rather than a prestige offering. While many vehicles in this category ask families to trade off among efficiency, space, or price, the SEALION 8 balances all three by combining genuine 7-seat flexibility with electric-first driving for everyday life, plus petrol backup for longer trips.

Its ability to handle most short daily drives on electric power can help reduce fuel use and running costs, and its pricing remains closer to mainstream family budgets than many rivals in the segment, making electric 7-seat SUV ownership more accessible for households prioritising space, efficiency and overall value.

Key Takeaways for Aussie Families

The BYD SEALION 8 isn't trying to be flashy, and that's exactly why it works. It's built around what families actually need:

• Space for growing kids
• Electric driving for everyday savings
• Long range for road trips
• Strong safety and warranty backing
• Pricing that doesn't push into luxury territory.

How to Order

Orders for the SEALION 8 are available through BYD's official Australian website and authorised BYD retail partners. The process is straightforward: buyers place a reservation online or in person, select their preferred variant and colour, and secure their place in the delivery queue with a deposit. For families planning ahead, ordering early helps secure availability for the first production batches.

Once an order is placed, buyers receive confirmation along with an estimated delivery window, which may vary depending on model, specification and demand. Early orders are typically prioritised, meaning those who reserve sooner are more likely to receive their vehicle in the first shipment waves. 

Early Adopter Benefits

While final incentives can vary, early buyers often benefit from priority delivery, introductory pricing, and, in some cases, launch-phase inclusions such as charging support, accessory credits, or early servicing offers. These early-release perks are designed to reward customers who commit during the initial launch period and to help smooth the transition to electrified family driving.

FAQs

1. When will the BYD SEALION 8 be delivered in Australia?

The SEALION 8 is launching in early 2026, with first customer deliveries expected to begin in 2026, following strong early interest and pre-orders.

2. What's the difference between DM-i and DM-p?

Both are plug-in hybrid systems, but they're tuned for different priorities. DM-i focuses on efficiency and smooth, everyday driving, ideal for school runs, commuting, and errands where electric driving is used most of the time. DM-p adds more power and all-wheel drive, delivering stronger acceleration, improved traction, and greater confidence for long road trips, hills, or towing.

3. What is the warranty?

The SEALION 8 is covered by a 6-year / 150,000km vehicle warranty and a separate 8-year / 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty, which is in line with, or better than, many electric SUVs in Australia.

4. How much does it cost to run?

Running costs are one of the SEALION 8's biggest advantages. With enough battery charge, fuel consumption can be as low as 1.0L/100km, and many daily drives can be completed on electricity alone, helping reduce fuel use and long-term costs for families. Real-world running costs will vary depending on charging habits, electricity prices and driving style.

5. Is servicing included?

Servicing isn't included in the purchase price, but BYD offers a growing Australia-wide service network and typically provides capped-price servicing programs (details for the SEALION 8 are expected to be confirmed closer to delivery).

Find a Dealer & Book a Test Drive Today

For a practical, efficient and quietly capable family SUV, designed for real life, not just the brochure, book a BYD SEALION 8 test drive today.

When It's Time to Hit the Road...

Make the most of family road trip holidays in your new BYD SEALION 8 with ellaslist's Sunday Drives. Discover Minnamurra: NSW's Ancient Rainforest, explore Family Favourites at Bobbin Head, and soak up the quaint surroundings in Beautiful Berry.

 

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