BYD prices seven-seat Sealion 8 PHEV from $74,990

BYD New Zealand has announced pricing for its new seven-seat Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), with the large family SUV starting from $74,990 plus on-road costs.

The pricing was revealed during a livestream hosted by Richard Edwards of EVs and Beyond and NZ Autocar, with three variants available across the range.

The Sealion 8 2WD Dynamic is priced at $74,990 plus on-road costs, while the AWD Dynamic model costs $83,990 and the range-topping AWD Premium is $91,990.

All three variants feature a seven-seat configuration and BYD’s latest DMi 5.0 Super Hybrid plug-in powertrain, paired with the company’s new generation Blade Battery 2.0 technology.

“The arrival of the Sealion 8 marks a significant moment for BYD in New Zealand, providing Kiwi families with a spacious, safe, and technologically advanced PHEV seven-seat SUV that doesn’t compromise,” says Warren Willmot, General Manager of BYD New Zealand.

“With three well-specified models starting at $74,990, we are making long-range, premium plug-in-hybrid mobility more accessible.”

Performance and efficiency figures

The entry-level 2WD Dynamic model uses a single 200kW front motor paired with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering combined maximum power of 205kW and 315Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds.

The AWD variants add a 200kW rear motor with 360Nm of torque, boosting combined system output to 359kW and 675Nm. This cuts the 0-100km/h time to 4.9 seconds.

All models feature BYD’s intelligent electric all-wheel-drive system on the AWD variants, with the 2WD model offering front-wheel drive.

Combined range varies by variant, with the 2WD Dynamic offering up to 1118km and the AWD models providing 1017km. Fuel consumption is rated as low as 1.0L/100km when the battery state of charge is above 25%.

The 2WD model uses a 19kWh battery pack providing 103km of electric-only range, while AWD variants feature a larger 35.6kWh battery with 152km of electric range.

Safety and technology features

Standard safety equipment includes nine airbags, third-row ISOFIX anchor points, and emergency locking seatbelts for the third row. All models come with BYD’s DiPilot intelligent driving assistance suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure assist.

Technology features include a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Premium variant adds a 26-inch head-up display and premium leather seats with massage and ventilation functions.

All variants support vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and include rapid DC charging capability, with the AWD models supporting up to 74kW charging speeds.

The Sealion 8 is now available for order through BYD New Zealand’s authorised dealer network, with customer deliveries expected to commence from March 2026.