What's the difference?
The BYD Shark 6 Premium has burst onto the scene with plenty of hype and a bit of side-eye from Aussie ute loyalists.
We’re a tough crowd, especially when it comes to vehicles that need to juggle family life, work gear, and weekend adventures.
So we put this handsome newcomer to the test to see whether it delivers genuine practicality and fun, or if it’s simply talking the talk in a ute-shaped body.
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?
The BYD Shark 6 Premium is perfect for weekend camping trips or ferrying the family around the city, but the underpowered engine, mixed handling, and quirky safety tech hold it back. If it could match its rivals’ capability while keeping its sharp looks, it would be a near-perfect package but right now, it just doesn’t.
There’s no denying the value the BYD Sealion 8 Premium offers as it packs a lot in for the price. Its efficiency and inoffensive looks add up to a good package and reflect what it does well. That said, the underwhelming driving experience and clunky media system are noticeable. Whether they're deal breakers is up to you.