Mazda CX-80 vs BYD Sealion 8
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.
Mazda CX-80
From $56,100
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
187kW
5.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
258L
BYD Sealion 8
From $56,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo PHEV
205kW
1.1 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
270L
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 Mazda CX-80 & BYD Sealion 8
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Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-80 starts from $56,100 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 8 opens at $56,990. That makes the Mazda CX-80 the more affordable entry point by $890.
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 $61,710 and $62,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 8 by roughly $6,140 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
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.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-80 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the BYD Sealion 8 gets a 15.6-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 8 counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-80 gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Sealion 8 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-80 uses a Diesel producing 187kW and 550Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 8 responds with a Petrol Turbo PHEV making 205kW and 315Nm, paired to a 1-speed auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 8 has the clear power advantage at 205kW vs 187kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Sealion 8 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-80 measures 4,990mm long on a 3,120mm wheelbase, 50mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 8 at 5,040mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-80 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 258L in the Mazda CX-80 and 270L in the BYD Sealion 8, giving the BYD Sealion 8 a 12L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda CX-80 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.
11.8m 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 11.8m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,482/year for the Mazda CX-80 and $254/year for the BYD Sealion 8. That is a $1,228 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 8.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-80) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 8). The BYD Sealion 8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda CX-80 if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 8 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The BYD Sealion 8 will save you roughly $1,228 a year in fuel. 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, Mazda CX-80 and BYD Sealion 8?
The Mazda CX-80 is the cheapest at $56,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 8 by $890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 8 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mazda CX-80 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for BYD Sealion 8, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 8 has the largest boot at 270L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-80 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 BYD Sealion 8 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.6s.
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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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