Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Sealion 6
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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 23 Sep 2026
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 RAV4 starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 6 opens at $42,990. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
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 $50,589 and $47,289 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 6 by roughly $5,280 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
Toyota RAV4
- REC-006390 · published 22 Jul 2025Due to a software programming issue, a memory device in the Combination Meter may deteriorate over time.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-005409 · published 26 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, if the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system is turned off, it may not default to the ON setting the next time the vehicle is started.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-001312 · published 9 Jun 2020Small cracks may form in the front lower suspension arms and with rapid acceleration and deceleration over the parts' lifetime, these cracks could spread and the suspension arm can eventually separate from the front wheel assembly.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
- 6 more on the model page.
BYD Sealion 6
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
18.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 18kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 18kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota RAV4 features a 10.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Sealion 6 gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 6 counters with panoramic roof and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota RAV4 gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Sealion 6 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Toyota RAV4 uses a Petrol Hybrid producing 143kW, sent through a cvt (e-cvt) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 6 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 143kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota RAV4 is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota RAV4 measures 4,600mm long on a 2,690mm wheelbase, 175mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 6 at 4,775mm (2,765mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 705L in the Toyota RAV4 and 425L in the BYD Sealion 6, giving the Toyota RAV4 a 280L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 6 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m 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 $1,283/year for the Toyota RAV4 and $227/year for the BYD Sealion 6. That is a $1,056 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 6.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota RAV4) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 6). The BYD Sealion 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota RAV4 if: You need more boot space, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 6 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 6: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 70
The BYD Sealion 6 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 70), taking 6 of 8 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Toyota RAV4 ahead by 21), safety (BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 17), value (BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 10). The BYD Sealion 6 will save you roughly $1,056 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota RAV4 has a clear edge. The BYD Sealion 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.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota RAV4 and BYD Sealion 6?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota RAV4 by $3,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Sealion 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Toyota RAV4, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota RAV4 has the largest boot at 705L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Sealion 6 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 6 makes the most power at 160kW. The Toyota RAV4 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
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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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