GWM Haval H6GT vs BYD Sealion 6

What's the difference?

GWM’s Haval H6 competes in the highly congested ‘Medium SUV under $65K’ segment of Australia’s new car market where a staggering 22 brands and more than 30 models compete for buyers.

GWM recently released the latest MY26 generation of its Haval H6GT PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which replaces the original H6GT introduced as GWM’s first PHEV in 2025.

The new H6GT PHEV heralds the introduction of GWM’s ‘Hi4’ intelligent hybrid all-wheel-drive technology along with an upgraded interior design, which now aligns with the broader H6 range and is headlined by integration of the Chinese brand's latest Coffee OS multimedia system.

We recently spent a week aboard this sporty premium model of the H6 range to see if it ticks the right boxes to win buyers in this competitive market segment.

BYD has made a big impact in a short space of time in Australia and the arrival of this all-new mid-size SUV opens the door for an even bigger future.

BYD has taken the fight to Tesla in the electric vehicle contest, and while still some margin behind the American brand the Atto 3 and Seal remain amongst the most popular rivals to the Model 3 and Y, respectively.

At the same time it has out-sold established brands including Honda, Skoda and Renault, as well as fellow Chinese newcomers LDV and Chery. 

Now BYD has its sights set on upsetting the established order in one of the biggest segments in the Australian market - mid-size SUVs.

The Sealion 6 is not a name that rolls off the tongue but it does leave an impression, as does the car, as we discovered when we drove it.