New hybrid SUV outdated before sales even start? 2024 BYD Song L could replace Toyota RAV4 rivalling Sealion 6 with 2100km driving range from new-gen powertrain

The new BYD Song L was revealed in Chinese technical documents and measures up almost identically to the newly-arrived Sealion 6 SUV (known as the Song Plus in China).

The vehicle you see here, though, is powered by BYD’s new fifth-generation plug-in hybrid system debuted on the Seal DM-i sedan that boasts over 200km electric-only and 2100km combined driving range by CLTC standards. 

This new Song L emerges less than a month after our first Sealion 6 drive and before the medium SUV appears in VFACTS industry sales figures. The Sealion 6 is available to order from importer EVDirect but there’s no guidance on delivery timing yet. 

The Song L is visually similar in proportion to our Sealion 6 though the details are more striking. A broad ‘dragon face’ grille is expressive and aggressive while retractable door handles tidy up the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander rival’s sides.

At the rear there is a hint of Porsche Cayenne in the light details – probably no bad thing – and the tailgate comes to a very similar point to the existing Sealion 6. 

Dimensionally, the Song L is only 5.0mm longer and 8.0mm wider than the Sealion 6, while its 2782mm wheelbase is 17mm longer. This size proximity suggests the Song L is the Sealion 6’s replacement in China. 

While BYD’s plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is new in Australia, the vehicle was first released in 2020 and facelifted in 2023. An on-sale date in the second half of 2024 is expected in China but Australian arrival is unlikely so soon. 

Its new fifth-gen plug-in hybrid system promises in excess of 2100km of combined driving range thanks to a 2.9L/100km efficiency when the battery is discharged – beating the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail e-Power. 

So far only a single motor, non-turbo system has been detailed producing a maximum 160kW – the same as the Sealion 6. 

The system is said to be more efficient, though, as evidenced by such an improvement over the existing car’s 1200km combined driving range. A new turbo twin-motor AWD variant, as found in the Sealion 6 Premium, producing 238kW and 550Nm, is yet to be announced. 

Though there is some clear overlap between this new model and existing vehicle, they may be sold alongside each other. The Chinese market is vast and, like the MG ZS and ZST, manufacturers occasionally choose to keep the old model in production to offer a lower price point. 

The Song L, therefore, may become a premium alternative to the mainstream Song Plus we know as the Sealion 6. 

The Song L’s start price is earmarked at 130,000 yuan, equivalent to $27,000 Australian. Expect the final price to be much closer to the Sealion 6’s $48,990, before on-road costs, starting price if it comes to Australia. 

CarsGuide has contacted Australian BYD importer EVdirect for additional information and this story will be updated if there is a response.