BYD Sealion 6 vs Jaecoo J7 SHS
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.
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.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS opens at $43,990. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $1,000.
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 $47,289 and $48,389 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 6 and Jaecoo J7 SHS hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 6 and 81% for the Jaecoo J7 SHS.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Jaecoo J7 SHS packs more ADAS features with 9 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the BYD Sealion 6.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Sealion 6 and 8 in the Jaecoo J7 SHS. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds a 360-degree camera that the BYD Sealion 6 misses.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS gets a 13.2-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS counters with wireless charging that the BYD Sealion 6 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Jaecoo J7 SHS responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 145kW and 325Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 145kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 6 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 18.3kWh (BYD Sealion 6) vs 18.3kWh (Jaecoo J7 SHS), giving WLTP ranges of 92km and 90km.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 6 measures 4,775mm long on a 2,765mm wheelbase, 275mm longer than the Jaecoo J7 SHS at 4,500mm (2,672mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Sealion 6 and 431L in the Jaecoo J7 SHS, giving the Jaecoo J7 SHS a 31L advantage.
For towing, the Jaecoo J7 SHS leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.2m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, electricity costs roughly $226/year for the BYD Sealion 6 and $48/year for the Jaecoo J7 SHS. That is a $178 annual difference in favour of the Jaecoo J7 SHS.
Estimated annual total: $226 (BYD Sealion 6) vs $48 (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS saves you roughly $178 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 6) vs 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jaecoo J7 SHS if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 6 takes 5 of 9 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Jaecoo J7 SHS will save you roughly $178 a year in electricity. If boot space matters, the Jaecoo J7 SHS has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds peace of mind with a longer 8-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 Sealion 6 and Jaecoo J7 SHS?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jaecoo J7 SHS by $1,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses the least fuel at 1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 6 and Jaecoo J7 SHS all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the largest boot at 431L.
Which can tow the most?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the longest warranty at 8 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 6 makes the most power at 160kW. The BYD Sealion 6 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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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