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BYD Sealion 6 vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

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BYD Sealion 6
BYD Sealion 6

2024 price

Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y

$55,900 - $82,900

2025 price

Summary

2024 BYD Sealion 6
2025 Tesla Model Y
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

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Fuel Efficiency
1.1L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • PHEVs require consistent charging
  • Questions over long-term ownership experience
  • No spare wheel/tyre

  • Drive mode selector is silly
  • Warranty below average
  • Feels very heavy when pushed
2024 BYD Sealion 6 Summary

BYD has made a big impact in a short space of time in Australia and the arrival of this all-new mid-size SUV opens the door for an even bigger future.

BYD has taken the fight to Tesla in the electric vehicle contest, and while still some margin behind the American brand the Atto 3 and Seal remain amongst the most popular rivals to the Model 3 and Y, respectively.

At the same time it has out-sold established brands including Honda, Skoda and Renault, as well as fellow Chinese newcomers LDV and Chery

Now BYD has its sights set on upsetting the established order in one of the biggest segments in the Australian market - mid-size SUVs.

The Sealion 6 is not a name that rolls off the tongue but it does leave an impression, as does the car, as we discovered when we drove it.

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2025 Tesla Model Y Summary

I don’t think I’m overselling it to say that this is the car that could make or break Tesla in Australia and around the world. 

Crazy, right? That seemed impossible not so long ago, back when the brand appeared untouchable. But new competition, largely from China, plus the giant Musk-shaped elefant (it is German for elephant…) in the room, has seen sales and profit plummet.

Just last month, for example, the Tesla Model Y lost its best-seller crown in Australia to BYD, admittedly in the weeks before the new 'Juniper' version arrived.

The point is, a new version of its biggest seller is a Very Big Deal. But have they changed enough, and changed it well enough, to cut through the noise?

We put the cheapest variant, the Tesla Model Y RWD, to the test to find out.

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2024 BYD Sealion 6 2025 Tesla Model Y

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