Subaru WRX Sportswagon vs BYD Seal 6
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.
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
From $52,290
Wagon
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
492L
BYD Seal 6
From $34,990
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo PHEV
130kW
1.1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
491L
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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon & BYD Seal 6
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon starts from $52,290 before on-road costs, while the BYD Seal 6 opens at $34,990. That makes the BYD Seal 6 the more affordable entry point by $17,300.
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 $57,519 and $38,489 respectively.
The BYD Seal 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Seal 6 by roughly $11,250 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
10.1kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the BYD Seal 6 gets a 12.8-inch display and 8.8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Subaru WRX Sportswagon gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Seal 6 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and 1-zone in the BYD Seal 6.
Drivetrain
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon uses a Petrol producing 202kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.
The BYD Seal 6 responds with a Petrol Turbo PHEV making 130kW and 210Nm, paired to a 1-speed auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 130kW. In the real-world sprint, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon is 2.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon measures 4,755mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 85mm shorter than the BYD Seal 6 at 4,840mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 492L in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and 491L in the BYD Seal 6, giving the Subaru WRX Sportswagon a 1L advantage.
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
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 $2,423/year for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and $173/year for the BYD Seal 6. That is a $2,250 annual difference in favour of the BYD Seal 6.
Estimated annual total: $2,423 (Subaru WRX Sportswagon) vs $173 (BYD Seal 6). The BYD Seal 6 saves you roughly $2,250 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX Sportswagon) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal 6). The BYD Seal 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru WRX Sportswagon if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Seal 6 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon and BYD Seal 6 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $2,250 a year in fuel. The BYD Seal 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, Subaru WRX Sportswagon and BYD Seal 6?
The BYD Seal 6 is the cheapest at $34,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru WRX Sportswagon by $17,300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Seal 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Seal 6 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the largest boot at 492L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Seal 6 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
