CUPRA Terramar 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.
Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Terramar starts from $44,990 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 $2,000.
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 $49,489 and $47,289 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The CUPRA Terramar, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 6 by roughly $7,860 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the CUPRA Terramar and BYD Sealion 6 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the CUPRA Terramar and 89% for the BYD Sealion 6.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The CUPRA Terramar packs more ADAS features with 9 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the BYD Sealion 6.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the CUPRA Terramar and 7 in the BYD Sealion 6. The CUPRA Terramar adds a 360-degree camera that the BYD Sealion 6 misses.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Terramar features a 12.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Sealion 6 gets a 12.8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Terramar stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the BYD Sealion 6. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Terramar uses a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol MHEV producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.3 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 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 6 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Terramar measures 4,519mm long on a 2,681mm wheelbase, 256mm 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 508L in the CUPRA Terramar and 400L in the BYD Sealion 6, giving the CUPRA Terramar a 108L advantage.
For towing, the CUPRA Terramar leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 800kg 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,625/year for the CUPRA Terramar and $53/year for the BYD Sealion 6. That is a $1,572 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 6.
Estimated annual total: $1,625 (CUPRA Terramar) vs $53 (BYD Sealion 6). The BYD Sealion 6 saves you roughly $1,572 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Terramar) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 6). The BYD Sealion 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Terramar if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer CUPRA'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, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 6 takes 6 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Sealion 6 will save you roughly $1,572 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the CUPRA Terramar 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Terramar and BYD Sealion 6?
The BYD Sealion 6 is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the CUPRA Terramar by $2,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — CUPRA Terramar and BYD Sealion 6 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The CUPRA Terramar has the largest boot at 508L.
Which can tow the most?
The CUPRA Terramar has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
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 BYD Sealion 6 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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!
