BYD Sealion 8 vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

VS
BYD Sealion 8
BYD Sealion 8

$56,990 - $70,990

2026 price

Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y

$58,900 - $89,400

2026 price

Summary

2026 BYD Sealion 8
2026 Tesla Model Y
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.5L
Electric motor type
Permanent Magnet
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric
Vehicle type
Battery Electric
Fuel Efficiency
1.0L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

14.6 kWh/100km
Electric range
152 km

681 km
Battery capacity
35.60 kWh

82.00 kWh
Seating
7

6
Dislikes
  • No physical spare tyre
  • Underwhelming drive experience
  • Clunky media system

  • Ride might be too firm for some
  • Compromised vision from driver's seat
  • Lack of Apple CarPlay a turn-off
2026 BYD Sealion 8 Summary

As the flagship variant, the BYD Sealion 8 Premium all-wheel drive makes a big first impression as it arrives with seven seats, a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a features list that reads like a wish list.

It’s also stepping into a competitive space, lining up against the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid, Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV and Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami - all promising similar blends of efficiency, space and value for Australian families.

The Sealion 8 Premium looks like a strong contender on paper … but does that translate to the real world?

 

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2026 Tesla Model Y Summary

This is the new Tesla Model Y L, of course, but before we even start I need to ask you a very important question.

How often, honestly, do you use all seven seats in your seven-seater? Or if you only have five seats, how often is there a human in every single one?

Rarely, if ever?

Yep, me too. So stick around, because this is, by far, the best family SUV seating layout. And one where there’ll finally be no fighting over who gets stuck with the dodgy seat.

And as a result, the six-seat Tesla Model Y L might just be among the best all-electric SUV offerings around.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 BYD Sealion 8 2026 Tesla Model Y

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