BYD Sealion 8 vs Nissan ARIYA
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.
BYD Sealion 8
From $56,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo PHEV
205kW
1.1 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
270L
Nissan ARIYA
From $55,840
SUV
Electric
Electric
160kW
—
5★ ANCAP
466L
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 8 & Nissan ARIYA
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 8 starts from $56,990 before on-road costs, while the Nissan ARIYA opens at $55,840. That makes the Nissan ARIYA the more affordable entry point by $1,150.
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 $61,424 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
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
19kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 40kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 40kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
87kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 8 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan ARIYA 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 panoramic roof and ventilated seats that you will not find on the Nissan ARIYA. The Nissan ARIYA counters with head-up display. 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 Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the BYD Sealion 8 and 2-zone in the Nissan ARIYA.
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 Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 8 has the clear power advantage at 205kW vs 160kW. In the real-world sprint, the Nissan ARIYA is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 19kWh (BYD Sealion 8) vs 63kWh (Nissan ARIYA), giving WLTP ranges of 103km and 385km. DC fast charging peaks at 40kW (BYD Sealion 8) vs 130kW (Nissan ARIYA).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 8 measures 5,040mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 445mm longer than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 270L in the BYD Sealion 8 and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Nissan ARIYA a 196L advantage. The BYD Sealion 8 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 8 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,050kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 8) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan ARIYA). The BYD Sealion 8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 8 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan ARIYA if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Nissan ARIYA takes 6 of 10 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Nissan ARIYA 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 Nissan ARIYA?
The Nissan ARIYA is the cheapest at $55,840 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 8 by $1,150.
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 — Nissan ARIYA all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan ARIYA has the largest boot at 466L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 8 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
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 Nissan ARIYA is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
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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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