BYD Seal 6 vs Skoda Octavia
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
Skoda Octavia
From $39,990
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
110kW
5.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
600L
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 Skoda Octavia opens at $39,990. That makes the BYD Seal 6 the more affordable entry point by $5,000.
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 $43,989 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 Skoda Octavia, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Seal 6 by roughly $7,260 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Seal 6 and Skoda Octavia hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Seal 6 and 92% for the Skoda Octavia.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
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 Skoda Octavia gets a 13-inch display and 10-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Skoda Octavia offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the BYD Seal 6 and 2-zone in the Skoda Octavia.
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 Skoda Octavia responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.
The BYD Seal 6 has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Skoda Octavia is 0.2s 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, 142mm longer than the Skoda Octavia at 4,698mm (2,686mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 491L in the BYD Seal 6 and 600L in the Skoda Octavia, giving the Skoda Octavia a 109L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m 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 10.4m 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 $1,625/year for the Skoda Octavia. That is a $1,452 annual difference in favour of the BYD Seal 6.
Estimated annual total: $173 (BYD Seal 6) vs $1,625 (Skoda Octavia). The BYD Seal 6 saves you roughly $1,452 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 7 years / 999,999km (Skoda Octavia). The Skoda Octavia has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Skoda Octavia if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD Seal 6 and Skoda Octavia trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $1,452 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Skoda Octavia has a clear edge. The Skoda Octavia 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 Skoda Octavia?
The BYD Seal 6 is the cheapest at $34,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Skoda Octavia by $5,000.
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 and Skoda Octavia all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Octavia has the largest boot at 600L.
Which can tow the most?
The Skoda Octavia has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Skoda Octavia has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal 6 makes the most power at 130kW. The Skoda Octavia is quickest to 100km/h in 8.7s.
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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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