BYD Sealion 6 vs Toyota RAV4
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs 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.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota RAV4 opens at $45,990. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
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 $50,589 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota RAV4, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 6 by roughly $9,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 6 and Toyota RAV4 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 6 and 93% for the Toyota RAV4.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Toyota RAV4 packs more ADAS features with 7 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 Toyota RAV4.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen, while the Toyota RAV4 gets a 10.5-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
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 7.9 seconds.
The Toyota RAV4 responds with a Petrol Hybrid making 143kW and 221Nm, paired to a cvt (e-cvt) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 143kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 6 is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 6 measures 4,775mm long on a 2,765mm wheelbase, 175mm longer than the Toyota RAV4 at 4,600mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Sealion 6 and 580L in the Toyota RAV4, giving the Toyota RAV4 a 180L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 6 leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $53/year for the BYD Sealion 6 and $1,881/year for the Toyota RAV4. That is a $1,828 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 6.
Estimated annual total: $53 (BYD Sealion 6) vs $1,881 (Toyota RAV4). The BYD Sealion 6 saves you roughly $1,828 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 5 years (Toyota RAV4). The BYD Sealion 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota RAV4 if: You need more boot space, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 6 takes 7 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Sealion 6 will save you roughly $1,828 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota RAV4 has a clear edge. The BYD Sealion 6 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-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 Toyota RAV4?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota RAV4 by $3,000.
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 Toyota RAV4 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota RAV4 has the largest boot at 580L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k 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 7.9s.
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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