BMW X1 vs BYD Sealion 6
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW X1: we're still completing width, height, kerb weight, warranty and ground clearance, plus 4 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the BMW X1 & BYD Sealion 6
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The BMW X1 starts from $43,500 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 6 opens at $42,990. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $510.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $47,850 and $47,289 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BMW X1, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
18.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 18kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 18kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BYD Sealion 6 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof and V2L that the BMW X1 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW X1 uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.7 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 6 is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X1 measures 4,450mm long on a 2,760mm wheelbase, 325mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 6 at 4,775mm (2,765mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 420L in the BMW X1 and 425L in the BYD Sealion 6, giving the BYD Sealion 6 a 5L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 6 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,400kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW X1 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 6 takes 6 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X1 and BYD Sealion 6?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X1 by $510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 6 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the largest boot at 425L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 6 makes the most power at 160kW. The BYD Sealion 6 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
