BYD Sealion 7 vs Skoda Octavia

What's the difference?

VS
BYD Sealion 7
BYD Sealion 7

$48,990 - $68,888

2025 price

Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia

$39,590 - $59,990

2026 price

Summary

2025 BYD Sealion 7
2026 Skoda Octavia
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Not Applicable, 0.0L

Inline 4, 1.5L
Fuel Type
Electric

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
0.0L/100km (combined)

5.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Some tech gremlins still to sort out
  • Exterior design too similar to Porsche
  • Multimedia display houses all functions

  • Some lag in initial acceleration
  • Space-saver spare
  • Mild-hybrid adds little
2025 BYD Sealion 7 Summary

Looking across BYD's line-up, you'd think you were reading the attractions for the local aquarium! And now the Sealion 7 has entered the splash zone, or more accurately, the most popular car segment - the mid-size SUV.

It fights for pole position against the long-running electric favourite, the Tesla Model Y but newcomer Cupra Tavascan also offers some sporty competition.

For this review we're testing the flagship Performance grade to see whether or not it offers family-friendly fun.

View full pricing & specs
2026 Skoda Octavia Summary

Once a solid mainstay on our roads, wagons have fallen out of favour somewhat as a result of the ever-growing popularity of SUVs and utes.

But is a wagon actually a better and more family-friendly daily driver than a bigger, taller SUV or ute? Perhaps.

And throw a mild-hybrid system into the mix and it could be an even more appealing purchase.

Skoda’s Octavia has built a strong following in Australia and now comes its new mild hybrid grade, available as a wagon or liftback.

So, what’s the Skoda Octavia Select mHEV wagon like as a daily driver for families?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 BYD Sealion 7 2026 Skoda Octavia

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