BYD further expands Australian range to take on Toyota Kluger and Kia EV3

Two new models coming from BYD, the Atto 2 and Sealion 8, indicate the Chinese label has its finger on the heartbeat of the Australian market.

Before all the things making its debut in 2022 with the Atto 3, BYD has turn into something of an overnight success, outpacing many other Chinese challenger competitors with trusty sales results from its snappily-expanding and various showroom line-up.

And BYD’s two new models absolutely explore to hump the coattails of this success.

Each and each models are effectively packaged SUVs centered in the direction of Australian families, with promises to develop your bucks scuttle additional.

Sealion 8

The Sealion 8 is a astronomical seven-seater SUV that shares a striking resemblance both in styling and drivetrain to the emblem’s 2024 most efficient-vendor, the Sealion 6. It seems to head toe-to-toe with big name Aussie competitors esteem the Toyota Kluger hybrid, Hyundai Santa-fe hybrid, and Kia Sorento crawl-in.

It is miles equipped in China as the Tang L, measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm huge, 1760mm high, and runs on a wheelbase of 2950mm.

Two powertrains will be on hand for the Sealion 8 on birth: the ‘DM-i’, which uses a 19kWh blade battery, and ‘DM-p’, which employs a 35.6kWh blade battery.

Each and each grades reveal a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, and front mounted 200kW/315Nm electric motor. The DM-p furthermore beneficial properties a rear-mounted 141kW/360Nm electric motor — meaning the DM-p will be all-wheel force, with claims of a 4.9 2nd 0-100km/h time.

The Sealion 8 DM-p boasts around 200km of EV-handiest riding vary (CLTC), a combined gasoline consumption of 5.6L/100km (NEDC), and claims a combined riding vary which surpasses 1000km. No longer homely for over 2500kg of steel.

We request pricing of around $50-60,000 for the Sealion 8, which is slated for a Q1 2026 birth.

Atto 2

Aussies are initiating to respect the establish in a shrimp, dedicated electric metropolis automobile. BYD has two: The new cheapest in the marketplace Dolphin, and effectively established Atto 3. The now confirmed Atto 2 slots neatly between these models as a promise of extra diversity.

It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm huge (other than mirrors), 1675mm sizable and runs on a wheelbase of 2620mm. Chief competitors consist of the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia EV3, and the newly launched MG S5.

The Atto 2 is constructed on the BYD e-Platform 3.0. This will likely birth in two neat ranges, Crucial and Top charge, and facets a 51kWh Blade battery and 130kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor.

In China, the Atto 2 claims a combined vary of 312km (WLTP), 10-80 p.c establish time of 40 minutes, and a top DC establish charge of 65kW.

Within, the Atto 2 uses a 8.8-crawl digital dashboard, adaptive cruise serve an eye on, and 10.1-crawl infotainment conceal. (Top charge neat beneficial properties a 12.8-crawl infotainment).

The Atto 2 need to reach by the stop of this 365 days, with pricing in the realm of $30-40,000.

Read our global first force of the Atto 2 here.

Extra on BYD

Since its Australia inception in 2022, BYD has laid claim to several spectacular titles. It has developed a trusty foothold in the Australian market, largely owing to a various, no nonsense vary of vehicles with grand allure. Currently, BYD affords the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Shark 6.

The Dolphin compact metropolis automobile for the time being holds the title as Australia’s cheapest EV, whereas the Sealion 6 midsize crawl-in claims the title of Australia’s cheapest crawl-in hybrid.

On the identical time as, the Sealion 7 midsize EV SUV poses as a real rival to the more pricey and established Tesla Mannequin Y, with resounding affect quality, a good vary offering and trusty dynamics.

BYD also presents a staunch rival to the Tesla Mannequin 3. The Seal EV sedan all as soon as more undercuts its extra established American rival, bringing inviting styling, excellent electric riding vary, and trendy EV architectural underpinnings.

The most contemporary mannequin on the BYD cutting block all as soon as more pertains strongly to Australian patrons. The Shark 6 is a newly launched crawl-in hybrid ute, which has sparked deal of four-wheel riding debates on-line — and has equipped in the thousands.

Over 7000 Sharks relish equipped thus a long way in 2025 (YTD to 1 June). But BYD isn’t happy with true one off-avenue centered mannequin… Read our unfamiliar describe of the upcoming BYD/Denza B5 mid-size four-wheel force here.