Two new models coming from BYD, the Atto 2 and Sealion 8, prove the Chinese brand has its finger on the pulse of the Australian market.
Originally making its debut in 2022 with the Atto 3, BYD has become something of an overnight success, outpacing many other Chinese challenger rivals with strong sales results from its fast-expanding and diverse showroom line-up.
And BYD’s two new models certainly look to ride the coattails of this success.
Both models are well packaged SUVs targeted towards Australian families, with promises to make your dollars go further.
Sealion 8
The Sealion 8 is a large seven-seater SUV that shares a striking resemblance both in styling and drivetrain to the brand’s 2024 best-seller, the Sealion 6. It looks to go toe-to-toe with big name Aussie rivals like the Toyota Kluger hybrid, Hyundai Santa-fe hybrid, and Kia Sorento plug-in.
It is sold in China as the Tang L, measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm wide, 1760mm high, and runs on a wheelbase of 2950mm.
Two powertrains will be available for the Sealion 8 on launch: the ‘DM-i’, which uses a 19kWh blade battery, and ‘DM-p’, which employs a 35.6kWh blade battery.
Both grades use a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, and front mounted 200kW/315Nm electric motor. The DM-p additionally gains a rear-mounted 141kW/360Nm electric motor — meaning the DM-p will be all-wheel drive, with claims of a 4.9 second 0-100km/h time.
The Sealion 8 DM-p boasts around 200km of EV-only driving range (CLTC), a combined fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km (NEDC), and claims a combined driving range which surpasses 1000km. Not bad for over 2500kg of metal.
We expect pricing of around $50-60,000 for the Sealion 8, which is slated for a Q1 2026 launch.
Atto 2
Aussies are starting to see the value in a small, dedicated electric city car. BYD has two: The current cheapest on the market Dolphin, and well established Atto 3. The now confirmed Atto 2 slots neatly between these models as a promise of more variety.
It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1675mm tall and runs on a wheelbase of 2620mm. Chief rivals include the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia EV3, and the newly released MG S5.
The Atto 2 is built on the BYD e-Platform 3.0. It will launch in two trim levels, Essential and Premium, and features a 51kWh Blade battery and 130kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor.
In China, the Atto 2 claims a combined range of 312km (WLTP), 10-80 percent charge time of 40 minutes, and a peak DC charge rate of 65kW.
Inside, the Atto 2 uses a 8.8-inch digital dashboard, adaptive cruise control, and 10.1-inch infotainment screen. (Premium trim gains a 12.8-inch infotainment).
The Atto 2 should arrive by the end of this year, with pricing in the realm of $30-40,000.
Read our international first drive of the Atto 2 here.
More on BYD
Since its Australia inception in 2022, BYD has laid claim to several impressive titles. It has swiftly developed a solid foothold in the Australian market, largely owing to a diverse, no nonsense range of vehicles with broad appeal. Currently, BYD offers the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Shark 6.
The Dolphin compact city car currently holds the title as Australia’s cheapest EV, while the Sealion 6 midsize plug-in claims the title of Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid.
Concurrently, the Sealion 7 midsize EV SUV poses as a genuine rival to the more expensive and established Tesla Model Y, with resounding build quality, a good range offering and solid dynamics.
BYD also presents a true rival to the Tesla Model 3. The Seal EV sedan again undercuts its more established American rival, bringing sharp styling, good electric driving range, and modern EV architectural underpinnings.
The latest model on the BYD chopping block again pertains strongly to Australian buyers. The Shark 6 is a newly released plug-in hybrid ute, which has sparked countless four-wheel driving debates online — and has sold in the thousands.
Over 7000 Sharks have sold so far in 2025 (YTD to 1 June). But BYD isn’t satisfied with just one off-road focused model… Read our exclusive report of the upcoming BYD/Denza B5 mid-size four-wheel drive here.