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.
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 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
The BYD Seal 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Seal 6 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
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 4,670mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 170mm 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 441L in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and 491L in the BYD Seal 6, giving the BYD Seal 6 a 50L 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
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, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Seal 6 if: You want the lower entry price, 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 Seal 6 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $2,250 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Seal 6 has a clear edge. 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?
The BYD Seal 6 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Seal 6 has the largest boot at 491L.
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.
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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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