BYD Seal 6 vs Mazda Mazda3
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
Mazda Mazda3
From $26,490
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
114kW
5.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
295L
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 Mazda Mazda3 opens at $26,490. That makes the Mazda Mazda3 the more affordable entry point by $8,500.
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 $29,139 respectively.
The BYD Seal 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mazda Mazda3, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Seal 6 by roughly $7,545 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 Mazda Mazda3 gets a 8.8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mazda Mazda3 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 Mazda Mazda3 responds with a Petrol making 114kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The BYD Seal 6 has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 114kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Seal 6 is 0.8s 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, 380mm longer than the Mazda Mazda3 at 4,460mm (2,725mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 491L in the BYD Seal 6 and 295L in the Mazda Mazda3, giving the BYD Seal 6 a 196L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m 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 10.6m 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 $1,682/year for the Mazda Mazda3. That is a $1,509 annual difference in favour of the BYD Seal 6.
Estimated annual total: $173 (BYD Seal 6) vs $1,682 (Mazda Mazda3). The BYD Seal 6 saves you roughly $1,509 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal 6) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3). The BYD Seal 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal 6 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Seal 6 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $1,509 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Seal 6 has a clear edge. The BYD Seal 6 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-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 Mazda Mazda3?
The Mazda Mazda3 is the cheapest at $26,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Seal 6 by $8,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Seal 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Seal 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 Seal 6 has the largest boot at 491L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Seal 6 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal 6 makes the most power at 130kW. The BYD Seal 6 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.9s.
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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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