Peugeot 408 vs BYD Sealion 8
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$57,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$56,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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 Peugeot 408 & BYD Sealion 8
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Price Breakdown
The Peugeot 408 starts from $57,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 8 opens at $56,990. That makes the BYD Sealion 8 the more affordable entry point by $1,000.
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 $63,789 and $62,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 8 by roughly $5,145 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.
Recalls on our record
Peugeot 408
- REC-006738 · published 29 Sep 2026Due to a software issue, the interior door handles may deactivate unexpectedly while the engine is running.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006716 · published 8 Sep 2026Due to a software issue, the instrument panel cluster may fail to illuminate the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning if the front camera is blocked.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-006397 · published 29 Jul 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the threaded connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel rail may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- 1 more on the model page.
BYD Sealion 8
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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 Peugeot 408 features a 10-inch touchscreen paired with a 10-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 Peugeot 408 stands out with Focal audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Sealion 8. The BYD Sealion 8 counters with heated front seats, ventilated seats and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Peugeot 408 uses a Hybrid producing 107kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 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 107kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Sealion 8 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Peugeot 408 measures 4,690mm long on a 2,790mm wheelbase, 350mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 8 at 5,040mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 508L in the Peugeot 408 and 270L in the BYD Sealion 8, giving the Peugeot 408 a 238L advantage. The BYD Sealion 8 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 8 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,300kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,283/year for the Peugeot 408 and $254/year for the BYD Sealion 8. That is a $1,029 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 8.
Warranty: 5 years / 200,000km (Peugeot 408) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 8). The BYD Sealion 8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Peugeot 408 if: You need more boot space, or prefer Peugeot's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 8 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.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 8: Top CarSorted Score, 78 vs 76
The BYD Sealion 8 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (78 vs 76), taking 6 of 7 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: performance (BYD Sealion 8 ahead by 14), safety (Peugeot 408 ahead by 11), value (BYD Sealion 8 ahead by 10). The BYD Sealion 8 will save you roughly $1,029 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Peugeot 408 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, Peugeot 408 and BYD Sealion 8?
The BYD Sealion 8 is the cheapest at $56,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Peugeot 408 by $1,000.
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?
Peugeot 408 holds a 4-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 Peugeot 408 has the largest boot at 508L with the seats up.
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 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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