Toyota Kluger 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.
Toyota Kluger
From $62,410
SUV
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid
184kW
5.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
241L
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota Kluger starts from $62,410 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 $5,420.
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 $68,651 and $62,689 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 8 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota Kluger, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 8 by roughly $6,710 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 Toyota Kluger features a 8-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 Toyota Kluger stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the BYD Sealion 8. The BYD Sealion 8 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 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 Toyota Kluger gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Sealion 8 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Kluger uses a 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid producing 184kW and 242Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 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 184kW. In the real-world sprint, the Toyota Kluger is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Kluger measures 4,966mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 74mm 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 241L in the Toyota Kluger and 270L in the BYD Sealion 8, giving the BYD Sealion 8 a 29L advantage.
For towing, the Toyota Kluger 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.
11.4m to 11.8m
Based on 11.4m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,596/year for the Toyota Kluger and $254/year for the BYD Sealion 8. That is a $1,342 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 8.
Estimated annual total: $1,596 (Toyota Kluger) vs $254 (BYD Sealion 8). The BYD Sealion 8 saves you roughly $1,342 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Kluger) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 8). The BYD Sealion 8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Kluger if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 8 if: You want the lower entry price, 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 6 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Sealion 8 will save you roughly $1,342 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, Toyota Kluger and BYD Sealion 8?
The BYD Sealion 8 is the cheapest at $56,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Kluger by $5,420.
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 — Toyota Kluger all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 8 has the largest boot at 270L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Kluger 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 Toyota Kluger is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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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