BYD Sealion 8: A Game Changing Three Row Plug In Hybrid
Table of Contents
The BYD Sealion 8 arrives as one of the most important products from the Chinese brand in recent years. This is not just another plug in hybrid SUV. It is a large three row family vehicle with luxury car features, strong performance, and pricing that undercuts many mainstream rivals.
It starts at about $56,990 for the front wheel drive version. The all wheel drive Dynamic trim sits around $63,990, and the top Premium AWD model reaches $70,990. Even at the top end, the price still sits below several mid spec competitors in the segment.
But price alone does not explain why the Sealion 8 feels like a turning point for BYD.
Powertrain and Efficiency
The Sealion 8 uses BYD’s fifth generation DM P plug in hybrid system. This setup combines a petrol engine with electric motors for performance and efficiency.
AWD DM P system highlights
Total output: 359 kW
Torque: 675 Nm
Claimed 0 to 100 km per hour: 4.9 seconds
Real test result: about 5.2 seconds
That is very quick for a three row family SUV.
The rear motor can decouple for efficiency when not needed. Even with the battery depleted, BYD claims fuel consumption around 5.3 litres per 100 km. Real world figures will likely sit closer to 6 to 12 litres per 100 km, depending on driving style.
Battery, Charging, and Electric Range
All versions use BYD’s Blade LFP battery technology.
Battery options
Front wheel drive DM i
Battery: 19 kWh
DC fast charging: 40 kW
All wheel drive DM P
Battery: 35.6 kWh
DC fast charging: 73 kW
Claimed electric range: 152 km (NEDC)
Real world estimate: around 100 km
Other charging features:
11 kW AC charging
6 kW vehicle to load function
That V2L output is strong enough to power a campsite or household appliances during a blackout.
Design: Familiar BYD, But More Mature
The Sealion 8 uses the latest evolution of BYD’s Dragon Face design. It looks sleek and modern without trying too hard. There is a full width light bar at the front, slim LED headlamps, and a curvy, aerodynamic body.
Key exterior points:
Over 5 metres in length
Nearly 2 metres wide
Large 21 inch aerodynamic wheels
Pop out door handles
NFC key access
Full width rear light bar with a 3D effect design
The styling is smooth and rounded. Some may call it curvy, but it still looks premium on the road. The rear design, with its sculpted light pattern, stands out at night.
One early issue showed up during testing. The pop out door handles occasionally failed to deploy on certain doors. That is not a great first impression and needs attention.
Boot Space and Practicality
Despite being a plug in hybrid with a large battery, the Sealion 8 remains practical.
Cargo capacity
Third row up: 270 litres
Third row down: 960 litres
Second and third rows down: 1,960 litres
The floor becomes completely flat when the seats are folded, which makes loading large items easier. However, there is no spare wheel. You only get a tyre repair kit.
Interior: The Real Highlight
Step inside, and the Sealion 8 feels like a much more expensive car. The cabin uses soft touch materials almost everywhere. The seats are wide, supportive, and highly adjustable.
Interior highlights:
Large 15 inch central touchscreen
Android based system with Google services
Built in Google Maps and Assistant
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Digital instrument display
Head up display
Heated, cooled, and massaging seats
Second row heated, cooled, and massaging seats on higher trims
Three zone climate control
The front seats offer strong under thigh support and multiple adjustments. The second row provides generous legroom and roof mounted air vents, which work better for rear passengers.
Sound system disappointment
The car comes with a 21 speaker, 1,500 watt system, but the audio quality feels average. It lacks clarity and punch, which is surprising given the specs.
Third Row Usability
The third row is usable for adults if the second row slides forward slightly. Headroom and legroom are acceptable for short trips.
However, there is a design issue:
The second row seat can get stuck when sliding forward.
You may need to move the front seat first.
This could wear out the mechanism over time.
It is not a deal breaker, but it feels like something that should have been sorted during development.
Driving Experience
On the road, the Sealion 8 feels more like a luxury cruiser than a sporty SUV.
Key driving impressions:
Smooth and quiet cabin
Strong acceleration in sport mode
Rear biased all wheel drive feel
Adaptive suspension with anti roll and anti pitch control
Comfortable ride even in sport mode
The adaptive suspension helps control body movement during hard acceleration and braking. For a heavy three row SUV, it handles corners better than expected.
However, some software based driver assistance features still need refinement. Adaptive cruise control works, but it feels average compared with established rivals.
Which Variant Makes the Most Sense?
The mid spec Dynamic AWD version appears to be the sweet spot.
Why it stands out:
Much more power than the base model
Larger battery and longer electric range
Better suspension setup
Only a modest price increase
The top Premium trim adds extra luxury features, but the sound system does not justify the extra spend for most buyers.
Verdict: A New Benchmark for Value Luxury
The BYD Sealion 8 shows how quickly the brand is moving. It combines real luxury features, strong performance, and competitive pricing in one large family SUV.
What stands out:
Pros
Premium interior quality
Strong plug in hybrid performance
Competitive pricing
Practical three row layout
Good electric only range
Cons
Average sound system
Door handle reliability concerns
Third row access design flaw
Driver assistance tuning needs work
For the money, it feels closer to a luxury SUV than a mainstream family car. That alone makes it a serious disruptor in the segment.
If BYD fixes the small issues, the Sealion 8 could become one of the most popular plug in hybrid three row SUVs in its class.
Sources and References
BYD Sealion 8 FAQ
What is the starting price of the BYD Sealion 8?
The BYD Sealion 8 starts at about $56,990 for the front wheel drive DM i version. The Dynamic all wheel drive sits around $63,990, while the top Premium all wheel drive model reaches about $70,990.
Which BYD Sealion 8 variant offers the best value?
The Dynamic all wheel drive version is widely considered the best value. It offers much more power, a larger battery, longer electric range, and a better suspension setup for a small price increase over the base model.
What powertrain does the BYD Sealion 8 use?
The Sealion 8 uses BYD’s fifth generation DM P plug in hybrid system. The all wheel drive version produces about 359 kW and 675 Nm of torque.
How fast is the BYD Sealion 8?
BYD claims a 0 to 100 km per hour time of about 4.9 seconds for the all wheel drive model. Real world testing showed a time closer to 5.2 seconds, which is still very quick for a three row family SUV.
What is the electric range of the Sealion 8?
The all wheel drive version uses a 35.6 kWh battery and claims about 152 km of electric range on the NEDC cycle. Real world range is expected to be closer to 100 km.
What charging speeds does the BYD Sealion 8 support?
The Sealion 8 supports 11 kW AC charging. The smaller battery version supports about 40 kW DC charging, while the larger all wheel drive battery supports up to 73 kW DC charging.
How practical is the boot space in the Sealion 8?
With the third row up, boot space is about 270 litres. Folding the third row increases it to 960 litres. Folding both rear rows expands the space to about 1,960 litres.
Does the BYD Sealion 8 have luxury interior features?
Yes. The Sealion 8 offers soft touch materials, a large central touchscreen, built in Google services, wireless smartphone connectivity, and heated, cooled, and massaging seats in both the front and second rows on higher trims.
Are there any known issues with the Sealion 8?
Some early impressions noted pop out door handles that occasionally failed to deploy. There is also a design flaw in the second row mechanism when accessing the third row, and the premium sound system quality feels average for its specifications.
Is the third row usable for adults?
Yes, the third row is usable for adults on shorter trips. With the second row adjusted slightly forward, there is enough headroom and legroom for practical use.
