What's the difference?
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.
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.
The BYD Sealion 7 Performance is well-priced and well-equipped. It more than holds its own against its mid-size electric SUV rivals. It has great motor outputs and it handles comfortably on the road. There's a lot to like here but some of the technology needs to be tweaked.
The Skoda Octavia has always been impressive in wagon guise and this mHEV variant is no different. While the mild-hybrid set-up adds little to the Octavia package there’s still plenty to like about this wagon. It’s smooth and refined to drive, packed with features and has ample appeal as a value-for-money buy.
It’s no surprise if this wagon is at or near the top of your vehicle shopping list.