BYD Details Sealion 8, First Large Three-Row PHEV for Australia Ahead of Early-2026 Launch

The brand is targeting roughly 8,400 annual sales to accelerate its push into Australia’s top three.

Overview

Three grades are planned at launch — Dynamic FWD, Dynamic AWD and Premium AWD — with first deliveries slated for early 2026.
All variants pair a 1.5‑litre turbo petrol (110kW/220Nm) with a 200kW front motor, while AWD adds a 200kW rear motor for 359kW total; 0–100km/h is a claimed 8.6s (FWD) or 4.9s (AWD), and combined FWD output is yet to be confirmed.
The Dynamic FWD uses a 19kWh battery (BYD‑claimed 103km electric range), and AWD models use 35.6kWh packs (152km) with stated fuel use as low as 1.0–1.1L/100km, all measured on the lab‑based NEDC standard.
At 5040/1996/1760mm with a 2950mm wheelbase, the seven‑seater is larger than a Toyota Kluger and offers 270L/960L/1960L of cargo capacity with rows up/stowed, plus third‑row top‑tether points.
Positioned above the Sealion 7 with pricing to be confirmed but indicated above $54,990, BYD reports strong early interest (over 1,000 expressions) and is pitching the model against family SUVs such as Kluger, Santa Fe, CX‑80 and Sorento.