2026 BYD Sealion 06 DM-i: 210 km EV Range + 1,670 km Combined From $19,500

The 2026 BYD Sealion 06 DM-i is the new-generation plug-in hybrid SUV from BYD's mid-size crossover lineup — a refresh that takes a value-leading PHEV and meaningfully extends both its all-electric range and its overall practicality. The most significant change for 2026 is a new 31 kWh Blade battery option (up from 18 kWh and 26 kWh on the 2025 model) that pushes the pure-electric driving range to **210 km CLTC**. Combined with a frugal 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle range-extender engine, the SUV achieves up to 1,670 km of total CLTC range on a full tank plus a full charge. Pricing starts at RMB 139,800 (about $19,500) for the entry trim and runs to RMB 159,800 (~$22,000) for the long-range top variant. Both numbers undercut every direct PHEV SUV rival in the segment — including the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in by nearly $15,000 in markets where both are sold.

Performance & Specs

The Sealion 06 DM-i pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged Atkinson-cycle inline-four with BYD's signature DM-i hybrid system — the petrol engine acts primarily as a generator when battery state-of-charge drops, with the electric drive system handling propulsion. Combined system power on the entry trim is approximately 160 kW (214 hp) with 316 Nm of torque, mated to a front-wheel-drive layout for a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h figure on the 2025 carryover specs. The 2026 update is rumoured to bring slightly higher output figures, though final numbers haven't been officially published — expect a 6.8-to-7.2-second 0-100 estimate on the upgraded powertrain. Top speed is electronically limited to 210 km/h. The battery is BYD's new-generation Blade chemistry, available in two pack sizes: a 26 kWh entry pack (170 km CLTC EV range) and a 31 kWh long-range pack (210 km CLTC EV range).

POWERTRAIN TYPE	PHEV (DM-i — 1.5T petrol + electric)
SYSTEM POWER	~160 kW (214 hp) on 2025 carryover; 2026 final TBA
TORQUE	316 Nm
ACCELERATION 0-100	~7.2 s (estimated for 2026 upgrade)
TOP SPEED	210 km/h
DRIVETRAIN	FWD
BATTERY	26 kWh (entry) / 31 kWh (long-range) Blade Battery
EV-ONLY RANGE	170 km (entry) / 210 km (long-range) CLTC
COMBINED RANGE	up to 1,670 km CLTC
FUEL USE	3.5 L/100km (running on petrol with empty battery)

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	4,810 mm
Width	1,920 mm
Height	1,670 mm
Wheelbase	2,820 mm
Ground clearance	~200 mm

At 4.81 metres long with a 2.82 m wheelbase, the Sealion 06 DM-i sits in the heart of the mid-size SUV segment — broadly comparable to a Toyota RAV4 (4.6 m) but with noticeably more rear-seat space thanks to the longer wheelbase. The five-seat cabin offers comfortable rear legroom and headroom, with a fold-down centre armrest housing cup holders and a phone tray. Boot space is a generous 695 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,630 litres with the rear bench folded — well above the segment average. Standard wheels are 19-inch alloys wrapped in 235/50 R19 rubber. Ground clearance is approximately 200 mm — enough to handle unsealed roads with care, though not a serious off-road SUV.

LENGTH	4,810 mm
WIDTH	1,920 mm
HEIGHT	1,670 mm
WHEELBASE	2,820 mm
GROUND CLEARANCE	~200 mm
CARGO VOLUME	695 L (1,630 L seats folded)
SEATING	5
FUEL TANK	60 L
WHEELS / TYRES	19-inch alloys / 235/50 R19

Charging & Battery

The new-generation Sealion 06 DM-i uses BYD's latest Blade Battery chemistry in two pack sizes: a 26 kWh entry pack for the base trim and a 31 kWh long-range pack on the higher trims. AC charging tops out at 11 kW for overnight top-ups from a domestic wall box. DC fast charging is supported, with claimed 10-80% replenishment in around 30 minutes on the entry pack and slightly longer on the larger pack. A full tank of petrol covers 60 litres, providing the additional 1,460-plus km of range when the battery is depleted. BYD's claimed combined fuel-and-electric consumption is around 3.5 L/100km on petrol-only running — one of the lowest figures in the segment.

BATTERY	26 kWh (entry) / 31 kWh (long-range) Blade Battery
AC CHARGING	11 kW (~3 hours full charge)
DC FAST CHARGING	10-80% in ~30 minutes
FUEL TANK	60 L petrol
RANGE BREAKDOWN	up to 210 km EV CLTC + 1,460 km extra on petrol = 1,670 km combined

Design & Interior

The 2026 Sealion 06 DM-i refresh sharpens the front fascia with new LED daytime running light signatures and a closed-off grille for improved aerodynamics. The 2026 model brings what reviewers note as a "more rounded" front end versus the 2025 model's sharper styling. The rear features a full-width LED light bar with red brake lighting wrapping the tailgate, plus the prominent "BYD" wordmark above the licence plate housing. Inside, the cabin is finished in synthetic leather across the seats with optional Nappa upgrade on higher trims, plus high-gloss black plastic trim around the dashboard. The signature element is BYD's rotating 15.6-inch central touchscreen — orientable to portrait or landscape depending on context — paired with a small driver instrument cluster and ambient lighting threaded through the door panels.

Technology & Features

BYD's DiLink 5.0 infotainment runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip with split-screen multitasking, OTA updates and full English-language interface support — important for export markets like Australia, Mexico and Thailand where the Sealion 06 is already sold under the BYD or Atto naming. Standard equipment includes wireless phone charging (50W on higher trims), in-armrest refrigerator (Premium and above), electric tailgate, ambient lighting in 256 colours, and the panoramic glass roof with sunshade. Higher trims add a head-up display, 12-speaker sound system and electric soft-close doors.

Safety & ADAS

Active safety is a competent L2 suite with AEB (vulnerable-road-user detection), ACC, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera with transparent-chassis underbody view. The optional "DiPilot" upgrade adds highway NOA, advanced lane-change automation and improved AEB. Passive safety includes a nine-airbag set and BYD's CTB (cell-to-body) structural architecture, which uses the battery pack as a load-bearing element to improve overall chassis rigidity.

ADAS LEVEL	L2 (entry); L2+ with optional DiPilot upgrade
ADAS HARDWARE	Multiple cameras, mmWave radars, ultrasonic sensors
FEATURES	AEB with VRU detection, ACC, LKA, BSM, 360° camera, transparent chassis

Available Versions

VERSION	BATTERY	EV RANGE	COMBINED RANGE	PRICE	KEY DIFFERENCES
Sealion 06 DM-i Entry	26 kWh Blade	170 km CLTC	~1,530 km	~$19,500	Entry trim, 19-inch wheels, base ADAS
Sealion 06 DM-i Long Range	31 kWh Blade	210 km CLTC	1,670 km	~$22,000	Long-range Blade pack, HUD, premium audio, refrigerator

Pricing & Availability

The 2026 Sealion 06 DM-i refresh is in pre-launch in mainland China as of May 2026, with the 2025 model continuing on sale in parallel during the changeover. Pricing for the 2026 model is RMB 139,800 to RMB 159,800 (~$19,500 to ~$22,000). The Sealion 06 is one of BYD's most export-ready models, already sold in Australia (as BYD Sealion 6), Mexico, Thailand and several South-East Asian markets — though typically at a meaningful premium over the China sticker (the Australian Sealion 6 Premium starts at around AUD 52,990 ≈ USD 34,800).

How It Compares

The Sealion 06 DM-i sits squarely at the value end of the mid-size PHEV SUV segment. Versus the BYD Song L DM-i — its closest sibling in the BYD family — the Sealion 06 offers 10 km more EV range and a 270 km longer combined range for slightly less money. The GAC Trumpchi S7 PHEV offers more raw power and a lower starting price, but trails badly on EV-only range (150 vs 210 km). The Changan Qiyuan Q07 PHEV is the closest direct rival on both spec and price, with similar EV range and combined range but a Changan badge that has less brand recognition outside China. For buyers who want maximum PHEV range under $22,000, the Sealion 06 DM-i is the segment value leader.