Hyundai Santa Fe vs BYD Sealion 6

What's the difference?

So I asked at the beginning if the Hyundai Santa Fe FWD petrol offered enough for families looking for a large seven-seat SUV and the answer is: YES!

It's practical, has people-mover space and storage and is downright comfortable to drive. There's so much to like here.

So, should Toyota, Tesla, Hyundai and others be worried about the arrival of the Sealion 6 and BYD’s new DMi powertrains? Yes, but not because it represents any major breakthrough in technology or dynamic prowess. 

Instead, the strength of the Sealion 6 is how average it is. It may not be the obvious class-leader in any particular area, but it does a good job in almost every measurable aspect and doesn’t possess any major flaws.

Yes, there are still questions about the long-term dependability of BYDs but that’s a risk any new owner will need to accept. But the very sharp pricing should tempt plenty of buyers to take that chance and continue BYD’s steady upwards trajectory in the Australian market.

It's boxy and bold and you certainly won't mistake it for anything else on the road. That's both good and bad.

The front works beautifully; pairing a chunky and square aesthetic with cool H-shaped LED headlights (a running motif throughout the car). The front and sides look like the chiseled face of a Greek hero or the latest Romantasy crush, but the rear is just awkward. It's essentially just a big blank body panel and the only interesting thing about the back are the H-shaped tail lights.

Head inside and the interior is exactly the same as the base FWD hybrid variant - you get an interesting black and grey tartan fabric upholstery across the seats, and enough soft touchpoints scattered throughout to stop you looking too hard at the heavy use of plastics.

The dashboard shares similar chunky proportions with the exterior and you can see lots of H shapes in the air vents and panelling, so it flows pretty well inside.

The highlight is 100 per cent the large curved panel on the dash that houses the dual 12.3-inch displays. They look high-end and instantly lift the cabin from feeling 'basic'.

Joinery is flush, nothing rattles and there's an overwhelming sense of high-build quality inside. It's a cabin you'll be able to spend a lot of time in.

This is one area where BYD has a mixed record. Not to be unkind or create an international incident, but the Chinese car industry has a history of not being totally original with all of its automotive designs.

However, things are improving and the Sealion 6 is a good example of the Chinese industry learning to develop its own style. While there are some subtle hints from European models, overall it’s a smart-looking mid-size SUV with some character to it - rather than being a bland imitation of something else.

One area where the Sealion is a cut above its competition is its size, being longer than and wider than the RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail.

I've said it before but I'll say it again. The cabin offers similar, if not the same, level of practicality of a people mover with passenger space and storage solutions.

In fact, Hyundai may have shot their other three-row SUV, the Palisade, in the foot here because I'm not sure why you'd now bother forking out an extra $13,800 on the base Elite grade over out test model. Not when each row will be comfortable for an adult and feature decent amenities.

With seats that don't sit too high and a 177mm ground clearance, the Santa Fe is an easy SUV to get in and out of, even for kids.

The front- and middle-row seats are the most comfortable when it comes to padding and under-thigh support. The powered drivers seat also offers adjustable lumbar support on top of the heat functions that both front seats get.

Storage is top-notch with lots of cubbies to choose from up front with dual gloveboxes, one that can fit a manual and one that will hold smaller items like a wallet, wet wipes etc.

The middle console is huge and has a removable shelf but is also shared with the middle row as the bottom pulls out into a storage drawer for them. This means you can cut out the middle man (AKA the parent) and have a handy place to put any roadie snacks.

The centre console features two phone cradles and a large shelf underneath that easily holds a handbag or Saturday night's takeaway.

There are a total of 12 cupholders (2/6/4) and four drink holders (one in each door storage bin) plus a sunglasses holder and map pockets on the back of the front seats. So, definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to individual storage.

The technology is easy to use and high-quality with display screens that feature crisp graphics and a responsive multimedia touchscreen. The system features wireless phone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Charging options are good throughout the car with six USB-C ports (2/2/2), and a 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad up front.

Rounding out the cabin is the large boot which offers 642L when the third row is stowed, and up to 1963L when just the front seats are in use.

The loading space is level but you still get a handy under-floor compartment for small items. And the full-size spare tyre and powered tailgate are always practical to have!

That external size translates to a roomy cabin, which also has some flair to the design but thankfully a bit more restrained than the smaller Atto 3 - which is a bit over-the-top in this reviewer’s opinion. 

The element that sticks out immediately is the large central touchscreen which, like other models in the range, can rotate either vertical or horizontal, depending on your preference.

I don’t understand the point of this, because when rotated vertically it impacts your forward vision and can interfere with the air conditioning vents; and I can’t even see it with my polarised sunglasses.

It simply makes more sense horizontally, but I guess all carmakers are looking for catchy gimmicks these days. But while it may seem like a cool party trick it remains somewhat confusing to me, like one more thing to go wrong. But maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy.

What I do like and think is a great idea is double smartphone charging pads in the centre console. And overall the design of the cabin feels well thought out and has plenty of useful storage areas.

The seats are fine, a little flat and the fixed headrests are irritating, but overall they’re soft and supportive enough.

The key in the second row seating is the amount of space, with the extra length of the Sealion 6 compared to its rivals showing up with more knee room in the back for families with growing teenagers or those who need to carry their adult friends.

There’s also a pair of USB ports in the back too, so everyone can keep their electronics charged.

The boot is a good size, measuring 425 litres on paper, and has a nice long and wide floor. But some of that space is thanks to the lack of a spare - so that counts against it in my book.

Price is key to BYD’s success in Australia. Quite simply, the Chinese brand has undercut its rivals and consumers have responded to that, unsurprisingly in these tough economic times. The Sealion 6 follows the same path blazed by the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal, offering plenty of vehicle for your money.

BYD Australia has kept it really simple, offering just two models - Dynamic and Premium - with very similar specification and separated primarily by powertrains.

The Dynamic is a less powerful, two-wheel drive option, while the Premium gets more grunt and all-wheel drive; but we’ll detail that later.

Both the Dynamic and Premium come with 19-inch alloy wheels, power-operated tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, powered front seats that are heated and cooled, a 15.6-inch touchscreen, Infinity premium audio, two wireless phone chargers and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The only non-powertrain difference between Dynamic and Premium is a head-up display on the latter model.

One noticeable absence from the Sealion though is a spare tyre. There’s not even a space-saver, just a tyre repair kit, which is disappointing and out of touch with the unique demands of the Australian market.

The Dynamic is priced from $48,990 (all prices exclude on-road costs), while the Premium starts at $51,990.

To put that into context with its competition, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid range begins at $42,250 for the GX and stretches to $51,410 for the range-topping $51,410.

While, if you’re looking at an electric alternative, the Tesla Model Y currently starts at $55,900. The most direct rival, however, is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which is only available with all-wheel drive and stretches from $57,290 to $73,790 across five variants.

Our Santa Fe is the front-wheel-drive base variant, which features an eight-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces up to 206kW of power and 422Nm of torque.

Our model has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg, which is up from its hybrid siblings which can only tow up to 1650kg.

While BYD has made its name in Australia as an all-electric brand it has always referred to itself as a 'new energy' company, and the Sealion 6 (and upcoming Shark ute) are why.

That’s because these feature BYD’s new 'Dual-Mode Intelligence' (DMi) powetrain - a hybrid system to you and me.

As mentioned above, the biggest difference between the Dynamic and Premium models is the powertrain, with two reasonably different systems.

The Dynamic is powered by a 78kW/135Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 145kW/300Nm electric motor - making for a combined system output of 160kW/300Nm. Notably, this powertrain only drives the front wheels.

In contrast, the Premium has an all-wheel drive set-up, combining a turbocharged version of the petrol engine (good for 96kW/220Nm) with a pair of electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear to produce a combined output of 238kW and 550Nm.

Both models get the same 18.3kWh ‘Blade’ battery, which is BYD’s proprietary technology underpinning all of its models and is attracting attention from other brands.

For reference, the Outlander PHEV has a 20kWh battery, Nissan’s X-Trail e-Power has a 2.1kWh battery, while the more conventional RAV4 Hybrid has just a 6.5Ah battery.

The base petrol Santa Fe has an official combined fuel cycle usage of 9.3L/100km and 67L fuel tank, giving it a theoretical driving range of 740km, which isn’t as good as its hybrid siblings but still sufficient for the odd road trip.

After doing lots of open-roading this week and a good three days of city dwelling, my real-world usage has popped out at 8.7L/100km, which is a solid result for such a large SUV.

There are multiple modes to drive it in, including electric only, with the Dynamic able to go up to 92km on a single charge, while the Premium manages a claimed 81km.

However, it's important to note these are the NEDC standards and not the more real-world like WLTP,  so you may not achieve those in practice.

The claimed fuel consumption is an impressive 1.1L/100km for the Dynamic and 1.4L/100km for the Premium although again achieving those in the real world will take some effort.

With a 60-litre fuel tank BYD claims the Dynamic has a driving range of just over 1000km, while the Premium can manage around 960km.

It's also worth noting the Sealion 6 comes equipped with vehicle-to-load charging which means you can draw power from the batteries to run small electronic devices if you need to.

It’s a bonus feature that may or may not be of use, but is one of those things that may come in handy one day to get you through a camping trip or a BBQ at the park.

The petrol engine definitely has more pep to it than the hybrid variants I've sampled. The power is responsive and you still feel like there’s heaps leftover when you have to overtake or get up a hill without any annoying engine whines.

The steering isn’t too heavy, despite the size of this car but turning off the lane-keeping aid will keep the on-road experience feeling smooth. Otherwise, you sort of ping-pong in your lane as the aid readjusts strongly.

All Santa Fes feel way more nimble than they have any right to in corners. You do get some roll, but our test model is sure-footed, even in heavy wet weather. 

The eight-speed dual-clutch auto transmission is smooth enough and you don’t get any annoying lags when you accelerate from a full stop, which is unusual for such a unit.

Ride comfort is pretty high as well, with suspension that feels forgiving over the worst of the bumps and a cabin that remains quiet, even at higher speeds. 

You have really great visibility in this model because of how big the windows are and the taller driving position helps as well. None of the pillars hindered my vision either from my driving position.

The Santa Fe well and truly fills out a car space and it was easy to see it in a car park because the butt hangs out a bit, but it’s still easy to park with its very clear 360-degree camera system and parking sensors at the front, side and rear. So while it is big, it doesn't feel big to park.

Overall, the petrol Santa Fe is an simple SUV to drive and will be a forgiving choice for lots of different driving styles.

We drove the Sealion 6 Dynamic and despite having the less powerful powertrain it feels good on the road. The DMi system offers good performance, with quiet acceleration off the mark and a good integration between the petrol engine and electric motors. We haven’t driven the Premium yet, so we can’t make any comment on how different it feels.

It’s hard to make a definitive call on the Sealion PHEV powertrain because, like every plug-in hybrid, its greatest strength relies on how the owner operates it.

If you don’t charge the battery every day or so, you’ll just end up lugging around a battery and electric motor for little benefit. However, if you do keep the battery topped up, you can do most of your urban commuting without needing to turn the petrol engine on, which should result in some very low fuel consumption figures.

The company clearly knows this, which is why BYD Australia is offering a complimentary home charger to the first 3000 customers who order a Sealion 6.

Not only will that encourage sales but it will also help owners become evangelists for PHEVs in the future, because they’ll have the best possible experience.

So, a large part of its strength or weakness rests on the owner’s behaviour and that’s something we can’t assess.

As for the rest of the driving experience, the ride comfort is fine. It can’t match the class-leaders for compliance or dynamics, but the Sealion feels pleasant to drive around the urban environment and on the freeway at speed.

Biggest criticism is the steering is very, very light. While that makes parking easier, it feels so light you get very little feedback from the front wheels so it can feel vague at times.

Overall the driving experience is best described as fine. It doesn’t have any major vices but neither does it set any new benchmarks. 

Both Sealion 6 variants come equipped with autonomous emergency braking, front and rear cross-traffic alert/braking, 'Forward Collision Warning', 'Rear Collision Warning', lane departure warning/prevention, blind-spot detection, traffic-sign recognition, door-opening warning, trailer stability control, auto high beam, a 360-degree monitor, adaptive cruise control as well as front and rear parking sensors. Plus, it can even detect if you’ve left a child or pet inside the car.

ANCAP had not crash-tested the Sealion 6 at the time of publication, but with its comprehensive list of safety items it should tick most of the boxes when it comes to protecting its occupants and pedestrians.

The Santa Fe comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which isn’t as good as some of its rivals, especially with Nissan now offering a 10-year warranty on its models, albeit conditional.

The pre-paid servicing plans are competitive, though, and the five-year plan averages just $481 per service.

Servicing intervals could get a bit annoying if you do a lot of kays every year as they're at every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first.

The Santa Fe petrol is a simple gal and enjoys 91RON unleaded petrol and is even E10 suitable.

BYD is a small company but has partnered with mycar service centres to make maintaining your Sealion 6 easier. The Sealion is covered by BYD's six-year/150,000km warranty as well as its 10-year capped price servicing plan.

Service intervals are every 12 months/20,000km and prices range from $265 up to $1184 for the major eight year/160,000km tune up. Over the first five years, in keeping with most of its rivals, you’ll be paying $1648.

As I’ve written in previous BYD reviews, the biggest question mark hanging over the brand is arguably its long-term prospects. Quite simply, the brand is still too new to know how well it will perform on the used car market.

We also can’t tell you how it will hold up from a reliability point-of-view. We’re not suggesting there’s any doubt over its quality, but each car brand must prove itself reliable and dependable over time, and BYD hasn’t had that time yet.