The BYD Sealion 6 has been launched as the brand’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model in Japan, joining a line-up that previously featured only electric vehicles (EVs) – four of them (Sealion 7, Seal, Atto 3 and Dolphin) to be exact.
Offered in two variants, the ‘DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligence) Super Hybrid’ SUV starts (including consumption tax) at 3.982 million yen (about RM105k) for the base front-wheel drive variant, with the range-topping all-wheel drive going for 4.488 million yen (RM119k).
At these prices, the Sealion 6 is significantly cheaper than the Toyota Harrier, which is slightly smaller in size and also available as a PHEV. The latter comes in G and Z grades priced at 5,470,300 and 6,260,100 yen (RM145k and RM166k) respectively. Another comparable model is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV that goes for between 5,294,300 and 6,716,600 yen (RM140k and RM178k) across four variants, with certain options available with seven seats instead of five.
In terms of specifications, the FWD comes with an 18.3-kWh battery that provides up to 100 km of electric-only range. This powers a front electric motor rated at 197 PS (194 hp or 145 kW) and 300 Nm of torque, while the petrol engine is a BYD472QA 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four making 98 PS (97 hp or 72 kW) and 122 Nm. This setup enables a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds, with BYD Japan quoting a hybrid fuel consumption of 22.4 km per litre following the WLTC standard.
Meanwhile, the AWD uses the same battery although the EV-only range isn’t being revealed by BYD Japan for now. The top variant’s dual-motor setup is rated at 367 PS (362 hp or 270 kW) and 550 Nm, augmented by a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine (presumably the four-cylinder BYD476ZQC) that serves up 131 PS (129 hp or 96 kW) and 220 Nm. The company notes in its release that some of AWD’s specifications are referencing the Australian model.
Deliveries of the Sealion 6 are scheduled to start in Japan at the end of January 2026 for the FWD variant, with the AWD making its way to customers in March the same year. Closer to home, the Sealion 6 DM-i has already been launched in Thailand, with the PHEV SUV also on the cards for Malaysia.
GALLERY: BYD Sealion 6 DM-i
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