BYD Seal 6 vs Kia Stonic

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Kia Stonic a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The BYD Seal 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the Kia Stonic gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The BYD Seal 6 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Stonic. The Kia Stonic counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 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 Kia Stonic offers cloth.

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 Kia Stonic responds with a Petrol making 88kW and 172Nm, paired to a 7-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.

The BYD Seal 6 has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 88kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Seal 6 is 2.3s quicker. 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, 675mm longer than the Kia Stonic at 4,165mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal 6 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 491L in the BYD Seal 6 and 352L in the Kia Stonic, giving the BYD Seal 6 a 139L advantage.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia Stonic's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BYD Seal 6 costs about $1,026 a year (3.6 L/100km as a hybrid) and fuel for the Kia Stonic about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $399 a year less for the BYD Seal 6. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.

Warranty: 6 years / 150k km (BYD Seal 6) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Stonic).

Where each one leads

The BYD Seal 6: more power (130kW against 88kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (491L against 352L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,026 a year against $1,425).

The Kia Stonic: the lower starting price ($26,990 against $34,990) and the longer warranty (7 years against 6).

The Verdict

BYD Seal 6 scores higher, 81 vs 72

The BYD Seal 6 scores 81 to the Kia Stonic's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (BYD Seal 6 ahead by 21 points), technology (BYD Seal 6 ahead by 21 points), performance (BYD Seal 6 ahead by 14 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BYD Seal 6 costs about $399 less (3.6 L/100km as a hybrid against 5 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 491L in the BYD Seal 6, 352L in the Kia Stonic. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Seal 6, 7 on the Kia Stonic.

Common questions