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.
BYD Sealion 6
From $42,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
160kW
1.1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
425L
Toyota RAV4
From $45,990
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol Hybrid
143kW
4.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
705L
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.
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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 $5,285 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota RAV4 gets a 10.5-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Toyota RAV4 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 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 Toyota RAV4 is 0.1s 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 425L in the BYD Sealion 6 and 705L in the Toyota RAV4, giving the Toyota RAV4 a 280L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 6 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 700kg 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 11.4m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m 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 $226/year for the BYD Sealion 6 and $1,283/year for the Toyota RAV4. That is a $1,057 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 6.
Estimated annual total: $226 (BYD Sealion 6) vs $1,283 (Toyota RAV4). The BYD Sealion 6 saves you roughly $1,057 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 / 999,999km (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 5 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Sealion 6 will save you roughly $1,057 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 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 705L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
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 Toyota RAV4 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
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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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