2025 BYD Sealion 6 Essential announced as Australia’s cheapest new plug-in hybrid
Australia's top-selling plug-in hybrid has gained a new, more affordable version, with fewer features for a $3000 lower price.
The entry price into a new plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Australia has been cut to $42,990 plus on-road costs, with a new entry-level version of the 2025 BYD Sealion 6 on sale today ahead of March deliveries.
The Sealion 6 Essential follows similar cut-price versions of BYD's smaller Atto 3 and Dolphin electric cars, and is the lowest price tag ever attached to a PHEV in Australia, aside from limited-time offers.
It comes a week after $3000 was slashed off the price of the previous cheapest variant, the Dynamic – from $48,990 to $45,990 – becoming Australia's cheapest PHEV, a bar that has now been lowered further.
The Dynamic grade remains on sale while stocks last as a Model Year 2024 vehicle, but it is set to be succeeded by the Essential for MY25 production.
Compared to the Dynamic, the Essential swaps the 15.6-inch touchscreen for a smaller 12.8-inch unit, the 10-speaker Infinity stereo for a six-speaker system, and the eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat for a six-way item.
It loses heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone chargers, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Also deleted is front door acoustic glass, metal door sill plates, multi-colour ambient lighting, and a cabin air purifier system.
A head-up display remains exclusive to the flagship, all-wheel-drive Premium grade, as well as a blue and grey interior option, and additional drive modes.
Features carried over from the Dynamic include 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch instrument display, power tailgate, LED headlights, keyless entry and start, and dual-zone climate control.
Shared between the front-wheel-drive Dynamic and Essential is a combination of a 72kW/122Nm 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, 145kW/300Nm electric motor and 18.3kWh battery pack.
BYD claims combined outputs of 160kW and 300Nm, plus 92km of electric driving range based on NEDC lab testing – or fuel use of 1.1 litres per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode – between 25 and 100 per cent charge in the battery.
MORE: Australia’s best-selling plug-in hybrid cars in 2024, with a surprise upset at the top of the charts
When the battery charge drops below 25 per cent, the Sealion 6 locks into hybrid mode, with claimed fuel use of 4.7L/100km.
As reported previously, the MY25 Sealion 6 has lost its Arctic Blue colour due to low customer demand.
The 2025 BYD Sealion 6 Essential is available to order starting today, Monday 20 January, ahead of deliveries due to begin in March.
2025 BYD Sealion 6 price in Australia
- Sealion 6 Essential MY25 – $42,990
- Sealion 6 Dynamic MY24 – $45,990
- Sealion 6 Premium MY25 – $52,990
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2025 BYD Sealion 6 Essential equipment deletions
- 15.6-inch touchscreen (12.8-inch screen fitted instead)
- 10-speaker Infinity stereo (six-speaker audio fitted instead)
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat (six-way adjustment instead)
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Wireless phone charger
- 360-degree camera
- Front parking sensors
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Front door acoustic glass
- Metal door sill plates
- Multi-colour ambient lighting
- PM2.5 cabin filter
