2018 BYD E6 Reviews

China’s BYD has revealed details of the forthcoming Seal 07 EV sedan ahead of its imminent launch in the domestic market.The 2026 BYD Seal 07 EV is a fully electric counterpart to the Seal 07 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan which is already offered in China.Slotting above the Seal and Seal 06 EV, the Seal 07 EV measures in at 4995mm long, 1910mm wide and 1495mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase. This makes it a fraction larger than a Toyota Camry.Power comes from a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 240kW and is fed by a 69.07kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 'Blade' battery.BYD claims the Seal 07 EV can travel up to 705km on a single battery charge, according to lenient CLTC testing. It also has a CLTC claimed energy consumption of 10.8kWh/100km.For context, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD offers up to 750km of electric range and a claimed energy consumption of 12.5kWh/100km, both according to more stringent NEDC testing.In terms of design, the Seal 07 EV shares many of its highlights with the Seal 07 DM-i. These include a closed-off front fascia with narrow headlights, a full-width rear light bar, flush door handles, a panoramic glass sunroof, plus a roofline that plunges down at the rear.Inside there is a digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system, wireless charger, dual cupholders and a row of physical buttons for key vehicle controls.At this stage it’s unclear whether the Seal 07 EV will ever come to Australia. BYD already offers the smaller Seal electric sedan which is more of a rival to the Tesla Model 3.However, BYD has previously been spied testing the Seal 06 DM-i sedan, as well as Seal 06 DM-i Touring wagon in Australia.Both of these are notably plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and were approved for local sale by the government regulator in January 2026. This approval usually happens only a few months before a vehicle goes on sale.BYD currently doesn’t offer any plug-in hybrid sedans or hatchbacks in Australia. It only sells the Sealion 5, Sealion 6 and Sealion 8 PHEV SUVs, as well as the popular Shark 6 PHEV dual-cab ute.

BYD's global sales numbers are in trouble as Geely makes up ground in a changing Chinese market, making export locations like Australia more important.

Denza is planning a new-model attack in Australia that will see five Denza-badged models rolling on Australian roads by early 2027, with one of the model's still billed as a "mystery".We have a fairly solid idea of four of those models – including the B5 and B8, obviously, as well as the expected introduction of the Z9 GT shooting brake, and the D9 electric people mover.But the fifth model remains something of a mystery, so we have done some detective work.Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mark Harland told CarsGuide: "There may be a fifth, but the fifth may or may not make it by the end of the year."The fifth one is probably 12 to 18 months (away) at the most."Typically, Denza export vehicles are launched in China first, before being rolled out in right-hand drive about 12 months later. That suggests our mystery vehicle is either on sale in China, or just about to be. One alluring option would be the new Mei-7 or Mei-9 Sedan, the former of which will launch in China shortly. Details remain under wraps for now, but international reports suggest it will offer a version of the Z9's ballistic EV and PHEV powertrains.In the Z9, the EV version is powered by a single electric motor producing 370kW, or offered as a tri-motor monster producing a combined 850kW. A plug-in hybrid variant also makes use of three electric motors, only this time paired with a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid, promising 600-plus kilowatts and an all-electric driving range of around 300kms on the WLTP cycle.Neither the Mei-7 or Mei-9 are currently confirmed for Australia, but Denza here is confident it can access any international models it wishes."I just don't want to overpromise, overcommit. If I took too many cars too quickly without having a dealer network set up, I would get myself in trouble because we wouldn't have the ability to deliver and service all the cars," Mr Harland says.Stay tuned for more as the brand continues to plot an aggressive roll-out as part of an emerging Chinese premium trend, which also includes its primary rival in Australia, Geely's Zeekr.

BYD is one of three Chinese brands which have broken into the world’s top 10 best-selling automakers, according to end-of-year financial figures.The brand finished up in sixth place on the list, selling more than 4.6 million units in 2025. BYD was not the only brand to make serious sales progress last year, with SAIC and Geely also pushing into the top 10 for global sales.Chinese brands’ successes globally have come at the expense of established players, such as Ford, with the Blue Oval dropping to eighth overall, and Honda just holding onto 10th position.BYD has had other success, including surpassing Tesla at the top of the electric car sales charts for the world at more than 2.2 million in 2025.The Chinese giant has experienced a similar sales increase in Australia, being the eighth best-selling brand in 2025, with more than 52,000 vehicles sold.The brand narrowly trailed rival Chinese carmaker GWM last year, which has been in Australia for much longer, while having around 10,000 units more sold than MG.It lines up with BYD’s ambitions to be "around top-three" in Australia by the end of this year, according to Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins.Among the best sellers for the brand Down Under are its all-electric Sealion 7 SUV and plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute.BYD will strengthen its position further in the Australian market over the coming years thanks to its strong New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) position, compared to fellow big sellers such as Mazda.It will bring across several new models in 2026, such as the soon-approaching B5 and B8 off-roaders under its luxury arm Denza, as well as what appears to be the Seal 05 plug-in hybrid sedan and wagon pair.It is a different story for BYD in its home market of China, where the brand suffered a drop in sales year-on-year, as competitors grew.These challenges are likely to increase for BYD and other big brands in China, following the Chinese government’s recent banning of below-cost car sales domestically in order to end a years-long bruising price war.This will give smaller brands an opportunity to contest with larger automakers on price, which theoretically creates further competition.

What are the cheapest mid-sized SUVs in Australia?There are so many different models in what is one of Australia's most competitive market segments that it can be overwhelming for buyers.Given the family focus of this size of SUV, value for money is one of the main things buyers consider.At CarsGuide we know which models are the cheapest and we can also highlight their pros and cons. So here are the top three most affordable mid-sized SUVs in Australia right now.Chery Tiggo 7 Urban $29,990 drive-awayChery is one of the brands dominating the super-affordable end of the market. The Chinese carmaker is constantly making improvements and refining its models, while maintaining excellent value and the Tiggo 7 at $29,990 drive-away is a great example.The Tiggo 7 is a 4.5m-long five seater and this entry grade Urban has cloth upholstery. CarsGuide reviewers gave the Tiggo 7 high marks for value with a long standard features list even on this Urban entry grade. They include LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights. There’s also 18-inch black alloy wheels, roof rails and proximity unlocking. There are twin 12.3-inch displays - one for your media screen and the other for your instrument cluster. There’s a six-speaker sound system, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s dual-zone climate control with second-row air vents, too.The Urban grade is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with front-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The Tiggo 7 has a 356-litre boot making it relatively small for a mid-sized SUV. BYD Sealion 5 Essential $33,990 before on-road costsThe BYD Sealion 5 arrived in Australia in 2026 making it the newest SUV in our top three. It's priced from $33,990 before on-road costs for the entry grade Essential. It’s also our only plug-in hybrid here and it's the most affordable PHEV on sales in Australia.This five-seater SUV is our longest here as well at 4.7m end-to-end.Standard features include a 10.1-inch media touchscreen and an 8.1-inch digital driver display, six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s proximity unlocking, LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, plus 18-inch alloy wheels. Also standard is dual-zone climate control with directional vents for the second row.Powering the Sealion 5 is a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor to drive the front wheels. CarsGuide reviewers like the Sealion 5 for its value for money, efficiency and for the way it drives, but the engine is noisy when pushed and the rear seats are quite firm.Safety is excellent with everything from auto emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assistance and blind spot warning to rear cross-traffic alert with braking.ANCAP has yet to test the Sealion 5 due to its recent arrival. The Sealion 5 has a 463-litre boot, which is bigger than the Tiggo 7’s but wait until you see the MG HS’s cargo capacity.MG HS Vibe $33,990 drive-awayMG’s HS has the same price as the BYD, but the MG comes with drive-away pricing where the BYD's is before on-road costs.The new-gen HS arrived in late 2024, so this 4.7m long five-seater SUV looks and feels fresh and modern.Standard features for the Vibe include 18-inch alloy wheels, twin 12.3-inch screens for media and driver displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and daytime running lights, reversing camera, proximity unlocking, black fabric seats with power driver’s seat and a six-speaker stereo system.CarsGuide reviewers like the HS's smooth ride and spacious interior.Powering the HS Vibe is 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Reviewers, however, said servicing was overly expensive.We also thought the safety features list was particularly extensive with AEB, lane keeping assistance, front and rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot warning. A downside to the safety tech was the intrusive driver alerts.The HS scored the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2024.The MG HS has the largest cargo capacity here with a 507-litre boot.

The electric vehicle space in Australia continues to grow, with another competitor joining the battle imminently in the Hyundai Elexio.The Elexio will be Hyundai’s first car on sale in Australia which has been built in China, and it brings with it an important test for the brand’s future EV strategy. It will have to take on the three best-sellers of the electric SUV segment, including the top-selling Tesla Model Y along with the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5.The Elexio will have to beat the best to be the best, so here is how it sizes up to its competitors, at least on paper.  The Elexio lands in Australia with an attractive introductory drive-away offer of $59,990, which is available until the 31st of March. From that point it is expected a cheaper entry-level variant of the Elexio will arrive in Australia, for around a similar starting price. The up-spec Elexio for under $60k appears to be a competitive deal compared to the base variants of its rivals, but when the drive-away deal expires, it will be the most expensive of the four, possibly more equivalent to higher-grade versions of each.It may be a different story when the cheaper variant of the Elexio lands in time for the drive-away deal’s expiry, offering a more fair comparison. Using before on-road costs pricing, the Sealion 7 is the cheapest of the bunch at just under $55,000, while the EV5 is available from $56,770. The Model Y is only slightly more affordable than the Elexio's introductory price at $58,900 before on-roads, making it more expensive by the time you're driving it out of a Tesla delivery centre.The Elexio shares similar dimensions to the Kia EV5, but it is slightly smaller than the Sealion 7 and the Model Y. The Elexio leads the way in the important driving range category, being the only car in this comparison offering more than 500km. This is mostly due to its 88kWh battery being bigger than the rest of the pack. It is significantly larger, for example, than the entry-level versions of the EV5 (64.2kWh) and the Model Y (62.5kWh). The incoming base variant of the Elexio is expected to offer the same if not a better driving range, as it features the same 88kWh and will likely have smaller wheels. It is a tight race when it comes to charging times, with the Elexio’s being the slowest at 38 minutes for 10-80 per cent top-ups, but all these cars boast times of less than 40 minutes. While all these cars have a single electric motor, the Elexio has less power than the Sealion 7 and the Model Y and the same as the EV5, with 160kW and 230Nm. The Model Y’s 255kW and 450Nm is the best of the category. The Elexio is not yet available with the option of all-wheel drive, while the other three cars can be in higher trim levels. The Elexio currently on sale has 20-inch wheels, which are the largest in this pack. Unlike the Sealion 7 and the EV5, it features a 27.0-inch display which spans across the dashboard as opposed to having separate sections. The Tesla also differs from the Sealion 7 and the EV5, with its 16.0-inch horizontal ‘floating tablet’ central screen and no screen real estate for a dedicated digital instrument cluster. The Elexio is similarly kitted-out with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and wireless phone charging capabilities. This version of the Elexio also comes with a head-up display, something which along with phone mirroring is missing from the Model Y.All four of these cars received five-star ANCAP safety ratings with high scores in all categories. The enticing but temporary drive-away deal for Elexio makes it a strong prospect for buyers in the mid-size EV segment, especially with its comparatively superior driving range. This comes at a detriment to other aspects of the car, such as the power and torque figures, which trail that of the Sealion 7 and the Model Y. Its 27.0-inch display gives the Elexio a different flavour to the rest, while it has much of the same equipment levels as its rivals here.The Elexio will have a tough time dislodging the established trio of competitors, but in a time when EV sales are ever expanding, now might be the best time to pull it off. 

BYD's next-gen charging system has been spotted rolling out in China.

BYD has unveiled its Linghui M9 plug-in hybrid people mover as a new rival in the growing segment, CarNews China reports.It is unlikely we will see any models from Linghui in Australia, with it primarily designed to target sales in China for ride-sharing and taxi services. Denza, another sub-brand of BYD, will launch its D9 people mover in Australia this year, effectively ruling out the M9's potential Aussie arrival.The D9 will be a competitor for the best-selling Kia Carnival, which comes in petrol and plug-less hybrid guise.The people mover market in China has become increasingly diverse in recent times with electric, hybrid and range-extender models.Geely unveiled its Galaxy V900 luxury range-extender people mover in late January, with the electric Xpeng X9 also competing for sales in the space. There's also the recently launched GAC M8 and Zeekr's 009.The M9 features a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 115kW and an electric motor, producing 200kW. This set-up is derived from the one found on the BYD Xia DM-i people mover, which launched last year. If it employs the same 20.4kWh battery, it can be expected to offer an electric-only driving range of around 100km, according to the CLTC testing cycle, but in the real world, it will likely be around 80km. The M9 is slightly longer than the Xia DM-i, but otherwise, it is dimensionally identical, and has a wheelbase of 3045mm.It also looks much like the DM-i with the same overall design, including a similar grille and front light cluster.It is anticipated the car will be a high-specification model like many of its rivals, with single and double sunroofs, as well as rear cameras available. The M9 is one of four models recently announced from the brand, which are re-skinned versions of already-existing models in China.The other three models from Linghui are all-electric sedans known as the e5, the e7 and e9. 

A new hope emerges for once-favourite car body styles in Australia.

A new player has joined the all-electric passenger car game, with the Mazda 6e officially priced in Australia ahead of its impending launch. Now is a good time to look at how this new competitor shapes up to its primary rivals in the BYD Seal, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. All four of these cars take on a sedan-style body shape (although some have a hatch tailgate), all are built in China, and all created some fanfare when they arrived in Australia. The established three players have had a few years to settle in, while Mazda’s EV will need to hit the ground running as the first of the brand’s renewed electric push, and a major part of its strategy to reduce its emissions as one of the manufacturers most exposed to Australia's new emissions laws.Here is how the 6e compares to those it will need to take down if it is to be a success. The 6e, which is a platform-share with the China-market Deepal L07, has been priced competitively.It is virtually the same price as the BYD seal, while coming in at roughly $5000 cheaper than the Model 3 and more than $10000 cheaper than the Polestar 2. As you walk up the line-up for these cars the 6e’s up-spec model costs an additional $3000, which gets you leather and synthetic suede seats, a leather steering wheel, and a synthetic suede interior. The other trio’s pricing for higher trim models extends into the $60,000s, $70,000s and even $80,000 range for the Model 3, but with that comes much more gear, larger batteries and the addition of all-wheel drive. The Mazda is the longest out of all its competitors, being closer in size to a large sedan rather than a mid-sizer.When it comes to power, the 6e lines up pretty closely to the rest of the pack of entry-level rivals, but it has the least grunt out of all of them.The Mazda wins out on driving range, with its bigger battery offering 560km, which is more than the Tesla and significantly more than the Seal and Polestar 2, which have ranges in the 400km bracket.There is not much in it on the charging front, but the 6e’s 10-80 per cent changing time takes the title on official numbers. All four cars have single rear-mounted motors. Unlike the 6e, the Seal, Polestar 2 and Model 3 all have options further up the scale for all-wheel drive. The 6e boasts an impressive list of standard features, which includes a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital driver display, as well as synthetic leather seats, which are heated and ventilated in the front. The Seal’s touchscreen is bigger than the Mazda’s, and shares many of the same features, which in part explains the similar pricing of the pair. It does only have 18-inch wheels as standard like the Model 3 compared to the BYD Seal and Polestar 19-inches. If you’re keen to pump your tunes, the Mazda 6e’s has the biggest audio system out of its rivals, with its 14 speaker Sony system. Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on the 6e and the Seal, but the Polestar 2 only has a wired connection as standard, while the Model 3 does not have any such connectivity. Standard safety features for each car listed below:The Mazda 6e has not been crash tested yet, but its rivals have all achieved five-star ANCAP ratings.All models have the standard safety gear you would expect from modern cars, with a high number of airbags and advanced driving assistance systems.The Mazda 6e seems priced just about right to ensure buyers give it some serious consideration in the segment. In an age where driving range remains the key question of any EV, sitting at the top of the pile means it is a compelling proposition. It will have a fight on its hands to eat into the sales of competitors which have been around for much longer than it and boast similar specifications and trim. Time will tell whether the 6e will have the desired impact Mazda needs it to have as it paves the way for future EVs from the brand.