The BYD Seal lineup looks set to expand, with a wagon version looking likely for the Australian market in the coming months – but with one major twist.
In recent days, BYD confirmed it will launch the Seal 6 Touring in New Zealand – less than two months after approval documents were lodged with the Australian Government.
However, unlike the fully electric BYD Seal sedan, the Seal 6 uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain – like the popular Shark 6 ute.
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Expected to be offered as both a sedan and wagon, the Seal 6 combines a 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor on the front axle.
While the model has yet to be confirmed for the Australian market at this stage, the UK version has two performance levels: a combined 135kW for the Seal 6 Essential, and a combined 156kW for the Seal 6 Premium – both with 300Nm of torque.
The Premium also gets a larger 19kWh battery, offering 105 kilometres of electric driving range, compared to an electric range of just 55km from the Essential’s 10.08kWh battery.
A third 15.9kWh battery is also available in some markets, though odds are Australian buyers will be offered a similar specification to those sold in the UK.
Specifications have yet to be confirmed for the New Zealand market, where the sedan hasn’t been confirmed for launch.
The BYD Seal 6 Touring has the potential to become a major threat to the Toyota Camry – offering attractive fuel economy figures for taxi and ride-share operators, with the added benefit of additional luggage space thanks to the wagon body.
The Seal 6 sedan is 4840mm long, 1875mm wide and 1495mm tall on a 2790mm wheelbase, with the Seal 6 Touring being just 10mm taller.
Given BYD’s sharp pricing, the Seal 6 Touring – should it come to Australia – is likely to undercut the new Skoda Superb PHEV, currently the cheapest PHEV wagon Down Under. The big Czech wagon is priced at $66,990 drive-away.
As reported by CarExpert in October 2025, BYD is actively chasing a podium spot on the sales chart in the foreseeable future.
“For [2026], the volume is quite fluid, but I think our aspiration would definitely be close to the top three,” said BYD Australia chief executive officer Stephen Collins.
“Beyond that we just want to keep improving. We’re not going to stop and we just want to keep progressing,” Mr Collins added, while acknowledging it was a “big, big ambition”.
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