China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed the key specs for the BYD Sealion 06, a new mid-sized electric or hybrid SUV first unveiled in April at Auto Shanghai 2025. The Sealion 06 promises lots of space and a comfortable electric driving range for a relatively low price.
BYD unveiled its expanded 06 series line-up at Auto Shanghai 2025, where the world’s n°1 electrified vehicle manufacturer showed the Seal 06 DM-i Wagon, the Seal 06 EV saloon, and the Sealion 06 SUV. The latter will become available in hybrid DM-i and fully electric EV variants.
Electric or hybrid family SUV
The BYD Sealion 06 is a mid-sized family SUV measuring 4,810 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,675 mm high, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. It is part of BYD’s Ocean series but innovates slightly in terms of design, with split headlamps and a rounded rear end reminiscent of the BYD Seal saloon.
According to the MIIT’s information, the BYD Sealion 06 EV will be available in three configurations: a base model with a 65 kWh battery and a 170 kW (231 hp) rear-mounted motor, which gives it a 520 km CLTC driving range.
Next is the ‘Long Range’ model, with a 79 kWh battery and the same 231 hp motor, which extends the CLTC range to 605 km. Finally, a more powerful AWD variant gets a 150-hp motor on the front axle, boosting the combined power figure to 381 hp, but cutting range to 550 km from the same 79 kWh battery.
Combined range of over 1,000 km?
Finally, the BYD Sealion DM-i uses a 160 kW (218 hp) electric motor with two battery choices: 18.3 kWh for 93 km of CLTC range, or 26.6 kWh for up to 130 km of electric driving range. A 1.5-liter gasoline engine acts as a generator to increase the total range, likely to over 1,000 km, as is the case with most Chinese range-extended EVs.
Cheaper than the Tesla Model Y… in China
BYD has not yet announced pricing, but according to rumors, it will launch the Sealion 06 in Q3 2025 for around 160,000 to 200,000 yuan (€19,600 to €24,400). This would make it far cheaper than the Tesla Model Y in its home market. However, it remains to be seen if BYD will bring the Sealion 06 to Europe and how expensive it will become on our shores after transport, tariffs, and VAT.
