Competition heating up in the PHEV market as BYD Sealion 6 counters offerings from Chery, Geely, Haval, Jaecoo, MG, and Mitsubishi by boosting battery capacity and extending driving range.
The Chinese brand BYD has entered the Australian market with a new offering, the Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range. Priced at $46,990 plus on-road costs, this PHEV SUV is making waves with its impressive features and competitive pricing.
The Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range employs the lower-powered and more frugal 1.5-litre front-wheel drive set-up. This setup allows the vehicle to boast an official fuel consumption claim of 1.1L/100km. One of the standout features of the Dynamic Extended Range is its extended EV-only range, which extends from 80-90km to 120-140km compared to the Standard Range.
This extended EV-only range places the Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range at the top of the pile compared to the claims of several new PHEV rivals from Chery, Jaecoo, Geely, GWM Haval, MG, and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Total Extended Range combined range of the Sealion 6 is claimed to be 1092km on the stricter WLTP measure.
The Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range comes with additional features such as a head up display and black trim, in addition to the Standard Range. Stephen Collins, Chief Operating Officer of BYD Automotive Australia, stated, "The Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range blends innovation, performance, and affordability in a way that truly redefines what Australians can expect from a plug-in hybrid SUV."
In terms of pricing, the Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range is priced higher than the Sealion 6 Essential ($42,990) and Sealion 6 Dynamic Standard Range ($45,990), but lower than the flagship Sealion 6 Premium Standard Range ($52,990).
As of the end of July 2025, BYD has sold 5498 Sealion 6s, contributing to a 146 per cent sales lift for the brand year on year. In a press release, Collins said, "With this new variant, we're giving customers more flexibility and more value."
Other competitors in the market include the GWM Haval H6 PHEV, priced from $50,990 drive-away with a combined range of 1106km (NEDC), and the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, priced from $39,990 drive-away with a combined range of 1200km (NEDC). The Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid, launching in September, and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2025 facelift) are also set to enter the market soon, but their combined ranges and prices are yet to be announced.
The BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range offers a 26.6 kWh battery with an electric-only range of about 140 km and a total combined driving range of around 1,250 km thanks to its 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor setup. It's clear that the Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range is a strong contender in the PHEV SUV market, offering a balance of affordability, performance, and range that is hard to beat.
