BYD Sealion 8 Premium 2026 review: snapshot

The Sealion 8 Premium is the flagship variant in BYD's seven-seat plug-in-hybrid SUV line-up.

It uses the all-wheel drive version of the Sealion 8's plug-in drivetrain, including an electric motor on each axle (for all-wheel drive) and a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine which operates mainly to charge the EV battery.

Performance is massive with 359kW of power and 675Nm of torque. A 35.6kWh battery can be charged form 30 to 80 per cent in under 20 minutes, and BYD claims a full charge and full tank will take you more than 1000km between petrol or charging stations.

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Explore the 2026 BYD Sealion 8 Range

BYD Sealion 8 Premium 2026 review: snapshot BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic 2026 review: snapshot

The Premium trim level adds things like 21 inch alloys, a 21-speaker stereo, head-up display and a massage function for the front seats. It costs $70,990.

The seating is laid out in a two-three-two format and luggage space with all seats occupied is a smallish 270 litres. That improves to 960 litres as a five-seater or 1960 litres with the second and third rows folded.

Safety is well looked after with all the usual driver aids including autonomous emergency braking an, lane-keeping assistance and rear-cross traffic alert and assistance. There's also a 360-degree camera system and tyre pressure monitoring. There are also nine airbags including a centre-front airbag.

The Sealion 8 carries BYD's six-year/150,000km warranty with eight years and 160,000km of cover for the EV battery. Servicing is every 20,000km or 12 months.