BYD have certainly been busy expanding their aquatic-themed automotive wildlife enclosure, something which has been achieved in a very, very short space of time. Along with the recently released Shark Ute, here we have the new Sealion 6 SUV to join the Seal and Atto 3 in the range.
However, what makes the Sealion 6 is unique, is it’s the first BYD to be built as a plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle or PHEV. BYD call the Sealion 6 “New Zealand’s First Super Hybrid” but just how super can it be exactly?
Well let’s kick things with the all-important figures. The range starts at $57,990 for the 2WD Dynamic and the Premium AWD tops out the family at $64,990.
In regards to the PHEV business, both Sealion 6 variants get the same 300Nm front mounted electric motor but my AWD Premium produces more grunt with 150kW of power at the front and 120kW from an additional rear mounted electric motor. Coupled that to a Xiaoyun plug-in-hybrid turbocharged 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine producing 96kW/220Nm, and you have a combined power of 238kW and 550Nm of torque.
Naturally being a PHEV, said petrol engine is there to act as a generator to provide charge for the 18.3kWh Blade Battery pack. Impressively the Sealion 6 AWD Premium allows you to have a claimed 81kms of electric only range, but when you factor in the petrol engines range, you have close to a combined range of 1000kms.
Combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.8L/100km if you have less than 25 per cent charge and are running in HEV mode, and if you have a full charge, this is around the way-low 1.4L/100km mark, all while 32g of CO2 is emitted for every kilometre. You can plug in the Sealion 6 to an AC or DC fast charger, the former is said to give you a full charge in less than three hours while the latter in around 30 minutes or so.
BYD have raised their game in terms of interior quality in an equally short space of time and the new norm is very much in force with the Sealion 6. There is pleasant mix of durable and materials which feel good to touch and the faux leather seats, while not the real deal, are certainly sumptuous and refined. I also love the somewhat raised centre console with the glass-like gear selector toggle switch. That, plus the orange stitching which gave a bit of flamboyance to what is essentially a well laid out and refined place to be.
In classic BYD fashion, taking centre stage is the rotating 15.6 inch touch screen infotainment system. It is very easy to use and I certainly enjoyed keeping it landscape layout over portrait, but that’s just me.
Interior room is rather decent and you have 425L of luggage space to haul whatever. This can expand to 1440L with the rear seats stowed away. Rear seat passengers have plenty of room to slob out and the quality is just as good aft as it is forward.
Tech? Yes there is plenty. It’s very much a festival of standard gadgetry here, even for the entry level Dynamic. An Infinity sound system with 10 speakers, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated and ventilated seats, 360-degree camera, sat nav, wireless phone charging, LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof, power tailgate and just about every modern safety convenience, all of which are far too numerous to list here all come as standard. In fact, the only feature the Premium has which the Dynamic doesn’t is a head-up-display.
Around the narrow byways of suburbia, the Sealion 6 feels right at home, never feeling unwieldy or cumbersome. You also never hear much of the outside world either. BYD have certainly worked hard to keep things chapel-like quiet as you waft along. You certainly do waft too, with the Sealion 6’s underpinnings certainly aimed at comfort over a firmer and sportier ride.
This is certainly obvious when cornering as things get a bit wallowy but this is really only at slow speeds. In Sport mode things firm up on long sweeping bends, but not overly so. The steering is light and if I am honest, somewhat lacking in feedback but overall this makes the Sealion 6 very easy to drive.
Sections of motorway are also a Sealion 6’s favourite pastime. The bringing together of that exceptional range and its ability to sooth your brow with EV silent running or almost silent petrol/hybrid propulsion means you will arrive at your destination, whether it be near or far, feeling rather relaxed. It seesaws seamlessly between full electric and HEV mode too.
The latest member of the BYD’s aquatic wildlife themed enclosure, when you factor in its PHEV tech, range, and at price point which will likely blow many contemporary hybrid SUVs out of the water, is pretty darn impressive. While somewhat lacking in character, you would be hard pressed to find a better PHEV for this kind of money Super? Yeah you bet.
RATING: 9/10
