BYD Sealion 6 vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Data checked: specs 15 Oct 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
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.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$42,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Wireless Phone Charging not offered
$46,000RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
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.
Track the BYD Sealion 6 & Hyundai Kona Electric
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona Electric opens at $46,000. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $3,010.
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 $47,289 and $50,600 respectively.
The Hyundai Kona Electric currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BYD Sealion 6 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Sealion 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Hyundai Kona Electric. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BYD Sealion 6 and 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Kona Electric, against 6 on the BYD Sealion 6.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Recalls on our record
BYD Sealion 6
None open on our record
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
18.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 18kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 18kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 6 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers premium cloth.
Drivetrain
The BYD Sealion 6 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 160kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 18.3kWh (BYD Sealion 6) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 92km and 370km. DC fast charging peaks at 18kW (BYD Sealion 6) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 6 measures 4,775mm long on a 2,765mm wheelbase, 420mm longer than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,355mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 425L in the BYD Sealion 6 and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the BYD Sealion 6 a 18L 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 6: Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 70
The BYD Sealion 6 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (74 vs 70), taking 5 of 7 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: technology (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 32), value (BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 20), reliability (BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 16). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Sealion 6 and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $3,010.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the largest boot at 425L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 6 makes the most power at 160kW.
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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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