BYD Sealion 6 vs Kia EV3
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.
Track the BYD Sealion 6 & Kia EV3
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia EV3 opens at $48,315. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $5,325.
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 $53,147 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.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 6 and Kia EV3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 6 and 83% for the Kia EV3.
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. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Sealion 6 and 7 in the Kia EV3.
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
81.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 101kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 101kW 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 Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV3 counters with V2L that the BYD Sealion 6 does not offer. 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 Kia EV3 offers 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 Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia EV3 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 58.3kWh (Kia EV3), giving WLTP ranges of 92km and 559km. DC fast charging peaks at 18kW (BYD Sealion 6) vs 101kW (Kia EV3).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 6 measures 4,775mm long on a 2,765mm wheelbase, 475mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 425L in the BYD Sealion 6 and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the Kia EV3 a 35L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 6 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 500kg. 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.
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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 6) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV3). The Kia EV3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia EV3 if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia EV3 takes 7 of 11 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Kia EV3 has a clear edge. The Kia EV3 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 Sealion 6 and Kia EV3?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV3 by $5,325.
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?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 6 and Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia EV3 has the largest boot at 460L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 6 makes the most power at 160kW. The Kia EV3 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
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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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