Image Credit: BYD
A week after BYD shook up the EV landscape by introducing cars, starting at under $30,000 with the 2025 Dolphin Essential variant, the leading NEV maker has announced the introduction of a more affordable variant of its popular large family SUV.
BYD’s Sealion 6, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model from the brand, which has been very popular since launching in 2024, will see thousands of dollars reduced when its Essential variant lands, soon starting from $42,990 before on-road costs.
This is $3,000 below the price cut seen on the Dynamic variant, which was lowered to $45,990 from an original price of $48,990 in May 2024.
With those price cuts and the introduction of the Essential variant, the Sealion 6 now starts $6,000 below what it did in early 2025.
According to the brand, the new Essential variant was expected to be released later in Q1 but has been bought forward due to demand from ‘fleet operators and electric vehicle enthusiasts’.
BYD’s local distributor, EVDirect’s CEO David Smitherman said: “The BYD SEALION 6 Essential represents our commitment to providing accessible and high-quality new energy vehicle solutions to Australian customers. This vehicle not only broadens our range but also underpins our mission to deliver premium features, advanced technology, and superior performance at a competitive price point.”
“We’re delivering on our commitment to simplify the transition to new energy vehicles, notably with our fleet customers providing more options supporting them in meeting their sustainability targets.”
The Sealion 6 was the first PHEV model by the brand in the Australian market which was followed up by the BYD Shark 6 in late 2024.
It features a 18.3 kWh BYD blade battery which offers a pure electric range of 80 km.
This battery van be charged at 7 kW AC or 18 kW on a DC charger.
Paired with the battery is a 1.5 lites PHEV engine, that can deliver over 1,000 km of range on a single 60 litre tank of fuel.
The PHEV system which powers the front wheel which provides 160 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque, helping the SUV accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Sealion 6 has a 5- star ANCAP safety rating, making it one of the more safer family SUV options on the market.
Orders of the new more affordable BYD Sealion 6 Essential variant are now open for deliveries in the first Quarter of this year.
BYD will also be unveiling the local variants of the Sealion 7, a fully electric family SUV in February for deliveries in the first half of 2025.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
We need to encourage EV users who charge at home to invest in a hardwired…
One provincial government has dumped Tesla home chargers and batteries from its rebate program, as…
Mercedes-Benz announces Australian pricing for the G Wagon, its electric off-roader.
Join Tom and Joy from Ludicrous Feed as they take a detailed walkthrough of the…
Norway led the world in demonstrating that beginning the shift from fossil to electric is…
Evie Networks moves away from Tritium for the first time and signs up Finnish fast…
View Comments
Hybrid, no fank you! Pass. I'd rather buy a Tesla and have the "T" logo on the bonnet replaced with a sexy Swastika. All Hail Preznit Elon and the Fourth Reich!
Not amusing!
First day on the internet?
This is what ketamine Elon leaves himself open to. Although he does love the attention.
Awesome. $ 42k for a PHEV REx with nearly 100km EV range in the city and 1,000km range for road trips is a perfect fit for Australia and her non existent charging network right now.
Sorry, gotta call it, that is complete rubbish. Are there still gaps? Yes. But non-existent it is not. Let's stick somewhere in the realm of facts rather than feelpinions.
It is ICE vehicle, not BEV, so it does not really matter. It is probably going to be subsidised or otherwise encouraged by the feral government, in return for the financial benefits paid to members of the government, by the fossil fuel companies.
We need vehicle emissions regulations. with levies on these ICE vehicles, to subsidise BEV's, to make BEV's more affordable
But, then, while the fossil fuel companies are paying the government members to protect the fossil fuel companies, BEV's are pushing stuff uphill, to get accepted in Australia.
C'mon Bret, the correct terminology is pushing shit up hill and you bloody well know it.
Only Until April 1 when the FBT exemption expires
Google NVES
BYD have made a poor decision with the removal of the Dynamic variant and replacing it with Essentials as the latter is vary bare and down market. This car is slot in the middle of the very competitive mid to large size SUV market and they remove one of the best models in the range.
Anyway its an ICE, i shouldn't be too concerned given the Sealion 7 is the one to focus on being a BEV. Hopefully it is priced competitively and they make a statement with it price wise.