BYD Sealion 8 Reviews

The federal government has called time on its generous EV incentives.The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption on electric cars will end by March 2029.Vehicles priced more than $75,000, but below the luxury car tax threshold of about $91,000, will no longer be eligible from April next year.Instead the more expensive EVs will have to pay 75 per cent of the FBT from that date, and all EVs will be slugged with the same tax rate from the 2029 end date.“The new rules will encourage manufacturers to offer more affordable and cheaper to run EVs in the Australian market,” said treasurer Jim Chalmers and energy minister Chris Bowen via The Guardian.“The current new vehicle efficiency standards have seen a dramatic increase in the availability of affordable EV models, so now is the right time to focus the FBT exemption on these cars.“We will continue to provide support for families who choose to switch to EVs as we transition to a permanent 25% discount on FBT for these cars.”This means top-selling EVs such as the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 will be covered until 2029.The move also encourages automakers to keep their vehicles priced below $75,000, which is a boon for Aussie electric vehicle shoppers.The tax break has been a huge hit, with the scheme costing more than 10 times what the government had forecasted. There were calls for the scheme to be axed to help alleviate the predicted budget deficit, and it is perceived to help a greater proportion of well-off Australians.National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) CEO Rohan Martin said the continuation of the scheme shows the government is helping to ease pain at the bowser for motorists.“The EV Discount has already helped more than 100,000 Australians overcome the upfront cost barrier to switching to a cheaper‑to‑run vehicle. Without it, many outer‑suburban families, essential workers and cost‑conscious households simply wouldn’t be able to make the switch,” said Martin.This new timeline ties with the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which came into effect last year and comes to fruition in 2029.The NVES levels fines on vehicle manufacturers at a rate of $100 per gram of CO2 permitted over a certain threshold for every vehicle sold. The thresholds get lower every year until 2030.Carmakers can offset fines by selling EVs and plug-in hybrids and they can carry-over EV credits to offset sales of more polluting vehicles in following years.NVES has forced carmakers to bring in more fuel efficient vehicles with most manufacturers bringing in conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles in greater numbers since the fines started to bite last year.Electric vehicles sales skyrocketed in March, with about 15,000 EVs finding a new home, which was double the same month the previous year. This trend is expected to continue into April.Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith said he expected electric vehicle sales to settle into between 20 and 30 per cent of new car sales going forward. Previously EV sales had made up about 10 per cent of all new car registrations.

The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is a mid-size SUV that just happens to be the most affordable plug-in hybrid available in Australia during a fuel crisis. That alone is enough to draw in plenty of potential buyers, but whether the Sealion 5 is actually good enough to convert that interest into sales is another story.

Fuel prices are coming back down slightly at time of writing, but this whole Middle East conflict has been a massive wake-up call for all of us.Australia is as vulnerable as any country to changes in fuel supply and/or prices.But you can reduce your 4WD's fuel consumption – and thus cut your fuel costs – by better managing your driving style and your 4WD.Fuel consumption depends on many factors – including individual driving style, the conditions, the load – but there are myriad ways you can at least reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption so that you’re ultimately forking out less at the service station.Improving fuel consumption boils down to reducing the stress on your vehicle’s engine: the less stress and strain on your engine, the better it will perform and therefore the less fuel it will use.Here are some tips to slash your fuel bills – and most of it is common sense, really.Read on.The lighter a vehicle is, generally speaking, the less fuel it should use.A whole lot of extra weight onboard your 4WD – whether that be people, gear, pets or a load of job-site tools and materials you’re actually not using on any given day – places far greater demands on the vehicle than if it was unladen, and that excess weight will result in increased fuel usage.If you use your 4WD as a daily driver or if you rarely go out bush in it any more, do away with the bullbar, winch, roof-top tent, tray canopy (if it’s easy enough to get on and off), heavy-duty spare-wheel carrier, MaxTrax (be honest: you’ve never used them), long-handled shovel etc. Delete anything and everything that adds extra bulk to your vehicle, for now at least.All of that gear adds extra weight to your vehicle and thus increases fuel consumption. Again, this is all common sense stuff.On bitumen, recommended tyre pressures on a 4WD will generally be from around 30 psi (pounds per square inch) and up but always check the tyre placard on your vehicle to make sure.Always check tyre pressure when your tyres are cold (i.e. the vehicle hasn't been driven for about three hours) and only use a tyre-pressure gauge from a reputable company, such as ARB or Ironman 4x4, to get an accurate reading to make sure you're running at recommended pressure.If your tyres are under-inflated, rolling resistance increases and so too does your 4WD’s fuel use, simple as that.For reference, Michelin’s in-house tyre experts have described rolling resistance as “the resistance experienced by your car tyre as it rolls over a surface. The main causes of this resistance are tyre deformation, wing drag, and friction with the ground. The higher the rolling resistance is, the more energy to overcome it is needed.“A 30 per cent increase in rolling resistance generates between 3 and 5% of fuel overconsumption.”Rolling resistance is decreased when a tyre’s pressure is increased.No specific PSI tyre pressure figure can be applied every time to every vehicle on every different type of terrain or in every different driving scenario. Your optimum tyre pressure will change according to the vehicle, the load onboard, the terrain your vehicle is traversing, the time of day, the amount of time you've been driving on those tyres on that day, the size and type of tyres you're using and myriad other variables.However, there are various approximate tyre-pressure ranges that work best on different terrain and if you operate within those parameters, you will be able to drive off-road sensibly and safely.Note: If you want to know how to deflate and inflate your tyres, read this yarn.Another thing to think about is unsprung weight (tyres) and rolling resistance. If you’re driving around on big heavy Mud Terrain tyres, then of course your fuel use is going to suffer, so it’s time to throw on a set of road-friendly SUV tyres or mild all-terrain tyres.Worth noting is the fact that larger wheel sizes generally decrease fuel economy due to increased the weight and rolling resistance. Steel wheels are heavier than alloys so swap those out for the time being if you want to further decrease your fuel consumption.Drive with supreme patience and consideration.This is easy to accomplish: simply delete your heavy right foot.No more hard acceleration, no stomping on the brakes – drive smoothly and safely.Unless you’re urgently delivering a heart in an esky to an awaiting transplant patient at a hospital, there’s no need to drive like your pants are on fire.As I tell my kids about driving: just imagine your job is to make sure that everyone on the road at the same time as you arrives at their destination safely – no matter how determined they appear to not want to arrive at all.As mentioned earlier, improving fuel consumption boils down to reducing the stress on your vehicle’s engine, and one of the ways to achieve this is to ensure that your vehicle is well maintained, in terms of all components, fluids, filters etc.The better your 4WD is running, the less fuel it should use.When you head out, bunch the things you have to do for the day together, so you’re doing one trip, instead a series of shorter trips, with the extra driving, stop-starting, parking etc involved in those. Common sense? Of course it is.A hybrid vehicle – one with a traditional fuel source (petrol or diesel) and electric power – is a cheaper alternative to an EV and it yields better fuel economy and less environmental impact than a standard petrol or diesel engine vehicle.Hybrids, right now, offer the best of all possible worlds; currently there are still simply so many variables involved with using an EV as your vehicle of choice in Australia – range anxiety, long distances, lack of charging stations, the actual time it takes to charge – that, outside of the city, it doesn’t make as much sense as a daily driver as a hybrid does.Hybrid powertrains are claimed to improve fuel efficiency, boost torque, improve responsiveness and overall output.Is it time you consider something like a BYD Shark 6? Yep, join the queue.

BYD's tough looking family SUV could be destined for Australia.The Titanium 7 or Ti7 is a similar size to the Toyota Prado, but its fully-electric set-up means it sits in a largely untapped space of the market. It is from BYD's FangChengBao sub-brand, which is sold wearing Denza badges locally, and spawned the B5 and B8 4WDs.There are also plug-in hybrid versions of the Ti7, which have a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with either single or dual electric motors.This would be a more conventional rival to GWM Tank 300, which has been a popular choice in the Aussie market. The Tank 300 features a more rugged ladder frame chassis as opposed to the lifestyle-focused monocoque chassis on BYD’s example. It is expected this car would appear under the Denza sub-brand in Australia, following the launch of its B5 and B8 off-roaders recently.The Ti7 sits in between the B5 and the B8 in size, measuring at 4999mm long, 1995mm wide and 1865mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2920mm.Adding further fuel to the fire is the fact BYD has trademarked ‘Ti7’ Down Under, but there is no official news yet on its arrival. BYD Australia said the car is not currently on the brand's radar.The Ti7 comes in two variants which are a single electric motor rear-wheel drive, producing 300kW and a dual electric motor all-wheel drive, producing 515kW.Both models are fitted with a 106kWh battery, with the RWD offering 755km of driving range, while the AWD has 675km, both according to more generous CLTC testing standards. On the inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display, along with a head-up display spanning 26.0-inches along the windscreen. It has a starting price of 220,000 yuan, which is roughly $45,000, but expect a bump on that figure if it ever makes its way to Australia. 

BYD has officially revealed the next-generation version of the Atto 3 electric SUV – which it calls the Yuan Plus in the domestic market – at this year’s Beijing motor show.This new Atto 3 is considerably larger than the model it replaces. It measures in at 4665mm long, 1895mm wide and 1675mm tall with a 2770mm wheelbase.This is roughly 200mm longer than the current model and brings it more in line with the mid-size Geely EX5.Another major highlight is BYD’s new, second-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery comes as standard, allowing flash charging from 10 to 70 per cent in five minutes.There’s either a 57.54kWh or 68.55kWh LFP battery pack, which is up from the current 50kWh and 60kWh units. The latter allows this new Atto 3 to travel up to 630km of range, according to lenient CLTC testing.Power comes from a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing either 200kW or 240kW, depending on the trim level.In terms of exterior design, the Atto 3 receives thinner LED headlights that are connected by a silver section, as well as a rear LED light bar. Other notable highlights include flush door handles, plus the availability of a LiDAR sensor that allows for semi-autonomous driving functionality.Inside, there’s a more minimal look including a new two-spoke steering wheel, larger non-rotating touchscreen multimedia system, as well as a new digital instrument cluster.At this stage it’s unclear if or when this new-generation Atto 3 will be coming to Australia.What is likely to arrive sooner is the updated, Evo version of the current Atto 3 which is already on sale in China and Europe. It’s already approved for sale in Australia.It takes the current, front-wheel-drive Atto 3 and gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available.The electric motor(s) are fed by a larger 74.8kWh LFP battery and allow for up to 510km of WLTP claimed range, depending on the trim.The Atto 3 Evo operates on an 800V electrical architecture, allowing for DC charging at rates up to 220kW. This is a large improvement over the current car’s 88kW maximum DC fast-charging rate.

BYD’s 7217 Australian new car sales in March 2026 may not sound like a huge total when the brand is shifting around 400,000 units per month globally.But those vehicles sold locally last month were enough to give BYD its first top-three finish Down Under, making it the clear leader when it comes to Chinese car brands in the market.By most counts BYD is also the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer (overtaking Tesla in 2025) and sixth in sales overall.A Fortune Global 500 company, BYD claims to have a presence in over 400 cities, in more than 70 countries across six continents with annual revenue exceeding ¥602 billion (~$123B).So, why does the brand’s growing success in Australia matter in the broader context of BYD’s ambition of global automotive domination?  First, as it was for Japanese brands getting serious about exports in the late 1950s into the ‘60s, Australia is a unique test market with a car culture incorporating a multitude of diverse elements.A historical leaning towards large, powerful vehicles, often covering substantial distances. An appetite for innovation with a ready stream of early adopters lining up for whatever’s new and different. A broad population mix, an often challenging driving environment… and a million and one other things.But the biggest factor is that impressive, steady growth since BYD entered the Australian market with the groundbreaking Atto 3 SUV in 2022.And that’s in the context of the tidal wave of more than a dozen new brands from China arriving since, turning an already cut-throat car market into a white-hot cauldron of competition. When the car-retailing cage fight kicks off the first and often easiest lever to pull is price. But so far BYD Australia has relied on new product to top the opposition, with 2026 Q1 sales up a neat 100 per cent over the same period in 2025 (17,541 units vs 8767).At the same time, the Chinese giant is widely perceived as the instigator of an intense price war in its domestic new car market, designed to apply pressure to newer, more vulnerable players among the 100-plus brands currently active in China.But the aggressive strategy has impacted its own results with year-on-year sales down 7.8 per cent (to ‘only’ 3.55 million vehicles).Net profit and net profit margin have suffered and with high tariffs effectively putting the US market off limits for now, Australia becomes a centre of opportunity as well as a rare template for export strategy development.As they say in the car business, "You never go broke making a profit", and it will be interesting to see how far BYD can climb the local sales leaderboard from its current sixth position YTD (17,541 units), with fifth-placed Hyundai (19,101), Ford in fourth 20,172) and Kia in third (20,630) already within striking distance.  

Toyota is not overly concerned with the influx of Chinese car brands in Australia’s top-10 best-selling brands list, despite their increasing market presence.At the end of the first quarter of the year, Toyota remained well out in front with 44,490 units sold, but that represents a 23 per cent drop on the same period last year.Just outside the top five, the Chinese giants are waiting to strike. BYD (17,541) was the sixth best-selling carmaker for the quarter, followed by GWM (14,878), while Chery (11,736) is now in ninth place, and MG (10,595) rounds out the top 10, keeping Isuzu Ute and Subaru out of the list.All four of these Chinese automakers have aggressive targets and plans to grow significantly in Australia, with BYD hoping to one day be the new top brand.Despite the encroaching Chinese brands, Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said he “respects all of Toyota’s competitors”, but highlighted Toyota’s strong product offering and aftersales and customer support as brand strengths.“For us, it's not just about selling a car for us, right? You know, for us, it's all about the customer experience. It's about, you know, making sure that we've got great products, first and foremost, that we can service our customers with,” he told CarsGuide.“But it's also about the brand experience. It's about the aftersales support we give them. It's about the warranty. It's about the resale of the vehicle. It's about the whole end-to-end value proposition that we can enable a great experience at every single touch point with our customers, and that's what's most important for us.“It's not just about the sale of a new vehicle. We want to make sure that we can look after them the whole way across the journey. And you know, we've got an extensive dealer network that is the best in the business that continues to provide that excellent care for our customers. And it's about how we contribute to society as well. So for us, it's a whole end-to-end proposition. For Toyota, that's what it's about.”Some newer Chinese carmakers including BYD have faced scrutiny from owners and pundits over a lack of planning in the early stages of their entry to the market. Parts warehouses took too long to ramp up, parts supply and distribution was poor and customer service was also lacking.Many of the brands including GWM, Chery and BYD have acknowledged these issues and have since put in place measures to address them.Pappas highlighted recent investment in Toyota's parts centres across the country, including in WA, NSW, Victoria and Brisbane, and ways of further improving the customer experience.In terms of wait times for new Toyota deliveries, Pappas said it was currently between three-to-six months, with some exceptions.He dismissed the threat of some of the newer Chinese brands that have ample stock of models and short or no wait times.“We know that our customers, from a wait time point of view –three to six months – if you can give them clarity within that period, it's okay. And that's where we're at at the moment.”

Australia's cheapest-ever EV is here, in the striking shape of the perfectly-timed BYD Atto 1 Essential from $24,000. And even the up-spec Premium, as tested here, from $28,000 promises price parity with petrol equivalents. But, behind the breakthrough is a talented and refined yet ultimately flawed supermini from China. So, while the Atto 1 is inexpensive, does it represent great value?

BYD has revealed two new flagship models at this year’s Beijing motor show.These are the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 SUV and Seal 08 sedan which shouldn’t be confused with the existing Sealion 8 and Seal sedan as they’re completely different vehicles.As reported by AutoHome, the Sealion 08 is available with either two- or three-rows of seating and measures in at 5115mm long, which is 100mm longer than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.It’s understood it will be offered with both pure electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The former will feature BYD’s second-generation version of its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery technology and offer up to 900km of range, according to CLTC testing.Other expected highlights include air suspension and a rear-wheel steering system.The Seal 08 on the other hand is a large sedan that measures in at 5150mm long, 1999mm wide and 1505mm tall, with a 3030mm wheelbase. This makes it larger than a BMW 5 Series sedan.Similarly to the Sealion 08, both EV and PHEV powertrains are on offer. The former also receives a second-generation LFP Blade battery and operates on an 800V electrical architecture, allowing flash charging.The all-wheel drive version is reported to offer over 480kW and have a 0-100km/h sprint time of less than 5.0 seconds.The PHEV version of the Seal 08 on the other hand has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW with an 200kW electric motor. No total system output has been detailed yet.The electric motor is fed by a 45.36kWh LFP battery pack and will offer over 400km of claimed electric range, according to lenient CLTC testing.Like the Sealion 08, the Seal 08 will offer a rear-wheel steering system that is aimed to reduce the turning circle at low speeds, but increase stability at higher speeds.At this stage it’s unclear whether the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 and Seal 08 will be offered in markets outside of China, or if right-hand drive versions are in the works.BYD only recently launched the Sealion 8 PHEV three-row SUV, as well as the Seal 06 PHEV sedan and wagon in Australia.

CATL has unveiled a new Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery capable of charging in rapid time in response to BYD’s recent developments. The third generation Shenxing battery takes just 60 seconds to charge from 10 to 35 per cent, under four minutes to charge to 80 per cent and under seven minutes charging to 98 per cent, trumping BYD's LFP unit. CATL also said the battery is able to perform strongly at temperatures as low as -30-degrees, charging up to 98 per cent in nine minutes.This in part due to the battery achieving the world’s lowest internal resistance for fast charging at 0.25 milliohms, 50 per cent less than industry average. Internal resistance is one of the key issues preventing rapid charging times, as the heat generated from the transfer of electricity slows down the overall process. CATL is by far the biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturer in the world, producing nearly half of total batteries, including for brands such as Tesla. Ultra fast charging has been the latest battleground for carmakers, particularly in China as they look to expand their networks and battery capacities.BYD’s second generation LFP battery can charge from 10-70 per cent in five minutes, and to 97 per cent in nine minutes.This means CATL’s unit betters its Chinese rival. BYD has recently been boasting of its megawatt fast charging, which will come to Australia this year, offering 1500kW to replenish the Blade 2 batteries. It is not just the raw numbers where CATL has looked to improve the durability of its third-gen battery, in addition to its performance in cold temperatures. According to CATL, the battery maintains a state of health above 90 per cent even after 1000 ultra-fast charging cycles. The battery’s heat management system also facilitates ultra-fast charging even without specialised charging infrastructure.CATL’s battery has pulse rapid heating to increase the temperature quickly and enable high-speed charging regardless of the charging pile.The brand has further introduced a different type of charging infrastructure, which means batteries can either be charged or utilise battery swapping functionality.  CATL continues to explore other battery solutions, such as sodium-ion and solid-state.