BYD Sealion 8 DM-i: A New three-row hybrid SUV

On the back of its Seal 6 DM-i release, BYD is plugging in another entry to the local PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) market with the Sealion 8 DM-i. Coming only in a single Dynamic variant, the Sealion 8 is a slightly larger follow-up to last year’s Sealion 6 DM-i.

Like its smaller brethren, the Sealion 8 DM-i is a plug-in hybrid. Its hybrid powertrain consists of a 200kW electric motor and a 1.5-litre turbocharged 110 kW engine. That’s 268hp and 148hp, respectively. Sadly, the electric motor and engine cannot produce peak power simultaneously, so the peak power output is a more modest 275hp and peak torque is 315nm.

It has an ostensibly stronger powertrain than other BYD plug-in hybrids, but its heavier kerb weight (2,315kg) means that it has a 0-100km/ acceleration time of 8.6s, which is probably just about as fast as you want in a big family SUV.

The motor is powered by a 19kWh battery and has a claimed electric WLTP range of 80km. It’s not the biggest battery around, but it’s supplemented by a 60L fuel tank. Getting into the specifics, the rated plug-in electric consumption is 21.4kWh/100km, with 0.9L/100km fuel consumption. Combined fuel consumption when the battery falls under 25% charge and has to lean on the combustion engine more is 5.3L/100km.

All told, the combined range of the Sealion 8 is claimed to be good for 900km on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. That’ll be more than enough for most, especially for any journeys up north, but it does fall short of the heights set by BYD with its other plug-in hybrids like the Seal 6 and Denza B5.

The boot, with all the seats up, is just 270L, but that expands to a whopping 1,960L if you fold all the seats down. The wheelbase of the Sealion 8 measures at 2,950mm, about 200mm longer than the Sealion 6. 

As for the rest of the interior, you can find a 15.6-inch touchscreen display alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Sealion 8 also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other comfort features include three-zone AC, ventilated and heated front seats, ceiling-mounted air vents for second- and third-row passengers, and Boss Button functionality for the second row.

Availability and Pricing

The BYD Sealion 8 DM-i is available now, and prices start at S$238,888 with guaranteed COE at the time of writing. 

The Sealion 8 can be viewed at BYD showrooms in IMM, Suntec City and BYD Zhongshan Park, and test drives can also be booked here now. The Sealion 8 is available in four colourways: Dark Aquamarine, Ridge Grey, Aurora White, and Cosmos Black.