BYD has had a successful run with the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid medium SUV, but the model has reached the end of the line in China.
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BYD has axed the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid medium SUV from its line-up in China.
The move comes as BYD seeks to rationalise its confusing array of models in its home market, however the change is not expected to impact export markets, including Australia.
In a confusing move, the Sealion 6 will be replaced by the Sealion 06, which, despite its similar name, is a different model entirely.
While the Sealion 6 name is used for exports, the same Sealion 6 that is sold in markets like Europe and Australia is called the Song Plus in China.
While the model made its Australian debut in 2024, the Chinese market version has been in production since 2020, with over 1.5 million units produced by October 2025.
The success of the Sealion 6 PHEV in markets outside of China will see the model line continue across Europe, Asia, and Australia for the time being.
BYD has recently introduced the smaller Sealion 5 PHEV as a cheaper medium SUV alternative locally, but will sell both models side-by-side, with the larger Sealion 6 starting from $42,990 plus on-road costs, compared to the 33,990 starting price of the Sealion 6.
In China, the Sealion 06 that replaces the Song Plus features a newer platform and electrical architecture, with a similar 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and front electric motor drivetrain format, but no AWD PHEV equivalent to match the Sealion 6.
Instead, the Chinese Sealion 06 comes as a full EV, with either rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive, while an EV version of the Sealion 6, not sold in Australia, features a single-motor front-wheel drive powertrain.
Introduced in late 2025, the Sealion 06 measures 4810mm in length, with a 2820mm wheelbase, making it 35mm longer overall with a 55mm longer wheelbase.
The BYD Sealion 6 took the title of Australia’s second-highest selling PHEV in 2025 with 9055 units sold, beaten by the BYD Shark 6 ute with 18,073 units, but ahead of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which finished the year with 4110 sales.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
