BYD Seal vs Kia Stonic
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 72
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 28 Oct 2026
BYD Seal
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 17 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 400L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 72, but the Kia Stonic is $26,000 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia Stonic
11 of 27 standard · no option data · 4 not offered · 12 no dataFrom
$26,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 88kW
- Economy
- 5 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 352L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$52,990RRP
- with the Kia Stonic's standard kit: $52,990 (nothing to add)
$26,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Satellite Navigation not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BYD Seal Premium
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $222 a week in repayments ($52,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia Stonic S
$26,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 28 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $102 a week in repayments ($26,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia Stonic starts $26,000 lower on RRP.
The BYD Seal currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia Stonic does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$102/wk(≈$441/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Stonic at $26,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BYD SealDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
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.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BYD Seal and 4 on the Kia Stonic.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BYD Seal
None open on our record
Kia Stonic
- REC-006665 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a software issue, the daytime running lamps switch off when the vehicle enters fuel-saving (sailing) mode.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
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.
How long to charge
82.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-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 stands out with power tailgate, V2L and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Stonic. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets leather upholstery while the Kia Stonic offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Seal and 1-zone in the Kia Stonic.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 230kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 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 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 88kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Seal is 5.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 635mm longer than the Kia Stonic at 4,165mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 352L in the Kia Stonic, giving the BYD Seal a 48L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Seal leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
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 1.0 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BYD Seal costs about $816 a year (17 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Kia Stonic about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 6 years / 150k km (BYD Seal) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Stonic).
Where each one leads
The BYD Seal: more power (230kW against 88kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (400L against 352L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,000kg against 900kg).
The Kia Stonic: the lower starting price ($26,990 against $52,990) and the longer warranty (7 years against 6).
The Verdict
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 72
The BYD Seal scores 77 to the Kia Stonic's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BYD Seal ahead by 39 points), safety (BYD Seal ahead by 27 points), technology (BYD Seal ahead by 21 points). Boot space with the seats up: 400L in the BYD Seal, 352L in the Kia Stonic. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Seal, 7 on the Kia Stonic.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$102/wk(≈$441/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Stonic at $26,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BYD SealDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Seal and Kia Stonic?
The Kia Stonic is the cheapest at $26,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Seal by $26,000.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Kia Stonic, 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 has the largest boot at 400L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Seal has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Stonic has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal makes the most power at 230kW. The BYD Seal is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
Track the BYD Seal & Kia Stonic
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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