BYD Sealion 8 vs Hyundai Santa Fe
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.
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 8 starts from $56,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Santa Fe opens at $53,400. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $3,590.
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 $62,689 and $58,740 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 8 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai Santa Fe, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 8 by roughly $11,700 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 8 and Hyundai Santa Fe hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 8 and 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Sealion 8 packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the BYD Sealion 8 and 7 in the Hyundai Santa Fe. The BYD Sealion 8 adds a 360-degree camera that the Hyundai Santa Fe misses.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 8 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Santa Fe gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 8 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats and ventilated seats that you will not find on the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Hyundai Santa Fe counters with Apple CarPlay and BOSE audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 8 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Santa Fe offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the BYD Sealion 8 and 2-zone in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Drivetrain
The BYD Sealion 8 uses a Petrol Turbo PHEV producing 205kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe responds with a Petrol making 141kW and 232Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 8 has the clear power advantage at 205kW vs 141kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai Santa Fe is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 8 measures 5,040mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 210mm longer than the Hyundai Santa Fe at 4,830mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Sealion 8 and 625L in the Hyundai Santa Fe, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 225L advantage.
For towing, the Hyundai Santa Fe leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m 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 11.0m 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 $254/year for the BYD Sealion 8 and $2,594/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe. That is a $2,340 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 8.
Estimated annual total: $254 (BYD Sealion 8) vs $2,594 (Hyundai Santa Fe). The BYD Sealion 8 saves you roughly $2,340 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 8) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe). The BYD Sealion 8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 8 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Sealion 8 will save you roughly $2,340 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a clear edge. The BYD Sealion 8 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 8 and Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $53,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 8 by $3,590.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 8 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 8 and Hyundai Santa Fe all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 625L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Sealion 8 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 8 makes the most power at 205kW. The Hyundai Santa Fe is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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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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