This BYD SUV Is RAV4-Sized, Corolla Cross–Priced—but Is It Right for America?

What Is It?

The Sealion 6 DM-i is BYD's entry in the compact crossover market. Mind you, BYD does have a lot of cars that are in that segment, but the Sealion 6 is, by far, one of its more popular models. It's also known as the Song Plus in its home market of China and Latin America, and the Seal U over in Europe.

There are loads of trims and powertrain choices to choose from, from plug-in hybrid to full electric. The Sealion 6, in its current form, came out in 2023, although the original model dates back to late 2020. It's part of BYD's Ocean Series that caters to a wider, more mainstream audience.

The Specs

While classified as compact, it's just a few inches shy of being a midsize in terms of dimensions. It measures 188.4 inches long, 74.4 inches wide, and 66.1 inches high, and rides on a 108.9-inch wheelbase. The Sealion 6 is comparable in size to a Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but just a little bit longer than the two best-sellers.

In terms of features, it has advanced driver assists that include adaptive cruise and autonomous emergency braking as standard, as well as surround-view cameras, adaptive headlights, and traffic sign recognition. Inside, there are heated and ventilated front power seats, along with a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are thrown in the mix, as well as a 10-speaker sound system and a dual 15-watt wireless charger. Its main party piece is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities that allow it to power some household items.

On the plug-in hybrid side, there are two battery sizes and two power outputs available. The standard battery pack is an 18.3 kWh unit, while extended-range models benefit from 26.6 kWh batteries. Front-wheel-drive versions use a 1.5-liter engine mated to a single motor, and the all-wheel-drive Sealion 6s get a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with two motors. Single-motor Sealion 6s put out a combined output of 215hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the dual-motor bumps those ratings up to 319 hp and 405 lb-ft.

How It Drives

We haven't tried the all-wheel drive model, but we can share a few impressions of the standard front-wheel drive version. For the most part, the Sealion 6 runs on its electric motor, and you'll only hear the engine kick in when absolutely necessary. Response is sharp and immediate, but it's probably slow by American standards, with a measured 0 to 60 mph time of about 8.5 seconds. Still, its transitions from EV to ICE are smooth, and the car is generally silent in operation.

Fuel economy is, of course, the main highlight. We observed 36 mpg in heavy traffic and, er, exuberant driving, but it can easily come close to 50 mpg with a more careful right foot. Battery consumption isn't half bad, either, and the gas engine is always keen to top up the charge. We reckon the long-range all-wheel drive model could hit 40 mpg in similar conditions, and with over 300 hp, the claimed 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.1 seconds is believable.

Where the Sealion 6 needs improvement is in the ride and handling department. It's actually soft, but a little too soft in some cases. It wallows about on expansion joints, performing an admirable impression of a Mercury Grand Marquis. It never really settles down, and there's a feeling of floatiness at highway speeds. The pillowy suspension tuning didn't do wonders for driving dynamics, and the mute steering does nothing for driver engagement.

Verdict

It's already taken Asia by storm and is leaving a strong impression on Europe. The thing is, the Sealion 6 just needs a few more tweaks to the chassis to make it an even more serious threat to the establishment. It already has the hardware to compete with some of the best, and should it be sold in America, the value proposition will be too good to pass up. It's the size of a RAV4, priced like a Corolla Cross, and filled to the brim with features.

Prohibitive tariffs are denying BYD and loads more Chinese automakers from entering the U.S market. But should conditions be favorable, BYD has all the potential to break through if it chooses the Sealion 6 as its push model stateside.

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