BYD Seal 6 vs Hyundai Sonata
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
BYD Seal 6
From $34,990
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo PHEV
130kW
1.1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
491L
Hyundai Sonata
From $55,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
213kW
8.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
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.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Seal 6 starts from $34,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Sonata opens at $55,500. That makes the BYD Seal 6 the more affordable entry point by $20,510.
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 $38,489 and $61,050 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Seal 6 by roughly $10,680 in fuel alone.
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
10.1kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Sonata gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Sonata counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bose audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Sonata offers suede & nappa leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the BYD Seal 6 and 2-zone in the Hyundai Sonata.
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal 6 uses a Petrol Turbo PHEV producing 130kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Sonata responds with a Petrol making 213kW and 422Nm, paired to a 8-speed wet dual-clutch (dct) driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai Sonata has the clear power advantage at 213kW vs 130kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Seal 6 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,790mm wheelbase, 70mm shorter than the Hyundai Sonata at 4,910mm (2,840mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Sonata generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 491L in the BYD Seal 6 and 480L in the Hyundai Sonata, giving the BYD Seal 6 a 11L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $173/year for the BYD Seal 6 and $2,309/year for the Hyundai Sonata. That is a $2,136 annual difference in favour of the BYD Seal 6.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal 6) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Sonata). The Hyundai Sonata has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal 6 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Sonata if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD Seal 6 and Hyundai Sonata trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $2,136 a year in fuel. The Hyundai Sonata adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Seal 6 and Hyundai Sonata?
The BYD Seal 6 is the cheapest at $34,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Sonata by $20,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Seal 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Seal 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Hyundai Sonata, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Seal 6 has the largest boot at 491L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Hyundai Sonata has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Sonata makes the most power at 213kW.
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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
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