BYD Sealion 6 vs Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The cut-price newcomer with more EV range takes on the proven plug-in hybrid. Which wins?
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Comparison snapshot
Prices, scores and edges below update from our car data.
Cheaper by $12,000, lighter on fuel by 0.7 L/100km
69L more boot, tows 600kg more
Written 24 May 2026. The snapshot, tables, scores and verdict on this page update from our car data; figures quoted in the text are as at that date.
Price
Both are plug-in hybrid family SUVs, but they sell on opposite strengths: the BYD Sealion 6 on value and electric range, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on all-wheel drive, seven-seat availability and a long track record.
| Variant | EV range | RRP |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range | ~140km | $46,990 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES | 84km | $58,990 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aspire (7 seats) | 84km | $66,790 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed | 84km | $70,990 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer | 84km | $74,490 |
Safety
Both carry a five-star ANCAP rating with comprehensive active safety listed as standard, the Outlander's dated 2022. The Outlander is the longer-established design; the Sealion 6 matches the five-star headline. Both are safe family choices.
Features
The Sealion 6 throws in more standard equipment for the money, BYD's rotating touchscreen, synthetic leather and a generous kit list even on lower grades. The Outlander feels the more conventionally finished and better integrated, and steps up to genuinely plush in the higher Exceed grades. Value tips to the BYD; polish and breadth of range to the Mitsubishi.
Drivetrain
The decisive number is electric range. The Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range claims around 140km on its 26.6kWh battery, well clear of the Outlander's 84km from 22.7kWh, so it covers more of your driving on electricity. The Outlander hits back with standard all-wheel drive (the Sealion 6 is front-drive until you reach the dearer Premium), 185kW and 450Nm against 160kW and 300Nm, and 600kg more towing at 1,600kg braked. Both are quiet in EV mode, and both drink far more on the highway once the battery is depleted, so treat the sub-1.5L/100km combined claims as lab figures rather than what you will pay.
Space and comfort
The Outlander is the more practical body, with a 472-litre boot against the Sealion 6's 400. On seats, be careful: the PHEV ES compared here is a five-seater like the BYD. If you want the third row you have to step up to the Outlander PHEV Aspire at $66,790, which is $19,800 above the Sealion 6. If you need to carry more gear the Mitsubishi is the pick; if five seats are plenty, the BYD's price and electric range win.
Cost to own
The Outlander's trump card is ownership confidence: 10 years and 200,000km, conditional on servicing within the Mitsubishi network, plus a proven reliability record and the stronger resale of an established nameplate. The Sealion 6 counters with a six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty and a $12,000 lower purchase price. Over a long ownership period the Outlander's warranty and resale narrow the gap; over a shorter one the BYD's lower price and cheaper electric running lead comfortably.
The plug-in hybrid family SUV is one of the smartest buys in 2026: electric commuting without range anxiety. The BYD Sealion 6 made the class affordable; the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the proven, practical incumbent. We have matched their value grades to see which is the smarter money.
You can also stack them on every spec in our tool, read the full BYD Sealion 6 review, or browse the cheapest PHEVs guide.
Key details
A tick marks the better figure only where both cars have one and the gap is meaningful (3% or more; a whole star or year).
| Detail | BYD Sealion 6 | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $46,990 RRP | From $58,990 RRP |
| Drive-away estimate | Calculating... | Calculating... |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid, 1.5L 4-cyl | Plug-in hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl |
| Power / torque | 160kW / 300Nm | 221kW / 450Nm |
| Fuel use | 0.8 L/100km (4.8 L/100km as a hybrid) | 1.5 L/100km (6.7 L/100km as a hybrid) |
| 0-100km/h | 8.9s | No data |
| Boot | 425L seats up | 494L seats up · 1,414L seats folded |
| Towing (braked) | 1,000kg | 1,600kg |
| ANCAP | 5 stars (2023) | 5 stars (2022) |
| Warranty | 6yr / 150,000 km | 10yr / 200,000 km |
At a glance
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 425L seats up
- Length x width x height
- 4,775 x 1,890 x 1,670mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,765mm
- Engine
- 1.5L 4-cyl
- Power
- 160kW
- Torque
- 300Nm
- Drive
- FWD
- Transmission
- Auto
- Power-to-weight
- 80 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 1,995kg
- Spare wheel
- None
- Payload
- No data
- Towing braked / unbraked
- 1,000kg / 750kg
- Turning circle
- 11m
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 494L seats up · 1,414L seats folded
- Length x width x height
- 4,720 x 1,862 x 1,747mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,704mm
- Engine
- 2.4L 4-cyl
- Power
- 221kW combined (engine 185kW)
- Torque
- 450Nm
- Drive
- AWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Power-to-weight
- 106 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 2,084kg
- Spare wheel
- Temporary spare
- Payload
- 581kg
- Towing braked / unbraked
- 1,600kg / 750kg
- Turning circle
- 11.2m
CarSorted Score breakdown
The CarSorted Score is algorithmic: it is calculated from each car's data, not from a road test. How it works.
Safety
Fuel Economy
Value
Practicality
Technology
Performance
Reliability
The verdict
BYD Sealion 6 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 63)
The deciding gaps
- Fuel Economy:BYD Sealion 6 89, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 20, BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 69
- Technology:BYD Sealion 6 83, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 42, BYD Sealion 6 ahead by 41
- Practicality:BYD Sealion 6 52, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 63, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ahead by 11
The BYD Sealion 6 is also the cheaper of the two.
Same scorer as the live comparison of these two exact cars.
Our take (written 24 May 2026)
The Sealion 6 has risen to $46,990, so the gap is $12,000 rather than the $16,000 this comparison used to quote, but it is still a wide one and the BYD is still the value champion. Its claimed 140km of electric range from a 26.6kWh battery is well clear of the Outlander's 84km from 22.7kWh, which means far more of your driving happens on electricity. Two corrections to the Outlander's side while we are here: the PHEV ES is a five-seater, not a five-with-seven-available (only the $66,790 Aspire has the third row in the plug-in range), and it tows 1,600kg braked rather than 2,000kg. What the Mitsubishi genuinely has is standard all-wheel drive, 185kW and 450Nm against 160kW and 300Nm, a quicker 7.0-second 0-100, 72 litres more boot, 600kg more towing, and a 10-year/200,000km conditional warranty with a proven reliability and resale record behind it. Buy the Sealion 6 unless you specifically need AWD, the towing or the long warranty.
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Questions buyers ask
Which has more electric range?
Electric range (WLTP where published): the BYD Sealion 6 at 140km, against 86km for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Which is better for families?
On the CarSorted Score the BYD Sealion 6 comes out ahead (BYD Sealion 6 77/100, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 63/100), mainly on fuel economy, technology. The score is algorithmic; the editorial above says who each car suits.
Which can tow more?
Braked towing capacity: the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 1,600kg, against 1,000kg for the BYD Sealion 6.
Does the Outlander PHEV have seven seats?
Seating: both are listed at 5 seats.
Which has the better warranty?
The BYD Sealion 6 comes with a 6yr / 150,000 km warranty; the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with a 10yr / 200,000 km warranty.
Which is cheaper, the BYD Sealion 6 or the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended Range is from $46,990 RRP; the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES is from $58,990 RRP. That makes the BYD Sealion 6 $12,000 cheaper.
Which is cheaper to run, the BYD Sealion 6 or the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
On the official combined cycle, the BYD Sealion 6 uses 0.8 L/100km and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses 1.5 L/100km.
What are the ANCAP ratings for the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The BYD Sealion 6 holds 5 stars (rated 2023), and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV holds 5 stars (rated 2022).
Which has the bigger boot?
Boot space with the seats up: the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 494L, against 425L for the BYD Sealion 6.
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How to read this page. Prices, specs, ANCAP ratings, warranty, scores and the computed verdict come from our records for the two variants shown, sourced from manufacturer Australian documents, and update when those records change. RRP excludes on-road costs. Drive-away figures are estimates for the state you have selected unless marked as advertised. The editorial text was written on 24 May 2026. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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