Over a decade ago, BMW gave us the i3 — a weird and wonderful little pod that made us believe the electric future could actually be fun. Then came the i3 RX (Range Extender), and I remember thinking: That’s it. They’ve cracked it. All the benefits of an EV, but with the peace of mind that South Africans — forever haunted by load-shedding schedules and a lingering fear of flat batteries — actually need. It was clever, practical, and perfect for a country where we still ask ourselves the slightly absurd question: “Yes, but what if I want to drive from Cape Town to Johannesburg?”
Fast forward to today, and the BYD Sealion 6 feels like the spiritual successor to that idea. It’s a plug-in hybrid SUV at a time when literal Range Extended vehicles exist – think of Changan and Leap Motor’s REEV vehicles. I’ll explain below*.
More importantly, BYD seems to understand South Africa. The brand isn’t just dropping cars off at dealerships and calling it a day — they’re investing in local charging infrastructure, laying down the groundwork for a genuine EV ecosystem. That’s encouraging. It means they’re not just selling cars; they’re selling a future.
Visually, the Sealion 6 is a looker — smooth, cohesive, and undeniably premium. There’s more than a hint of Porsche Cayenne in its profile, from the taut haunches to the sleek headlamp treatment. It’s handsome without trying too hard, modern without being sterile. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels futuristic yet functional — plush materials, a massive touchscreen, and that sense of Chinese tech ambition that’s hard to ignore.
On the road, it’s calm, confident, and satisfyingly refined. The hybrid system transitions smoothly between electric and petrol power, and there’s a quiet assurance to the way it covers ground. It’s not an enthusiast’s car — there’s no pulse-racing drama here — but there’s a quiet competence I couldn’t help but respect.
I’ll admit, I didn’t fall in love with the BYD Sealion 6. It didn’t charm me the way some cars do. But I respected it — deeply. Over my week with it, I came to appreciate its blend of sophistication, intelligence, and intent. It’s a car that points to a bigger picture — one where South Africa is part of the global EV conversation, not just watching from the sidelines.
And for that, BYD deserves some credit.
The tech:
Where range extenders (REEV) have a petrol engine on board to charge the battery, it doesn’t at any time power the wheels directly. With a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrids), you again have an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) motor as part of its powertrain, but here it not only charges the batteries but can also directly power the wheels. In the Sealion 6’s case it’s the latter, with a combined payload of 160kW and 300Nm, more than enough to conquer the suburbs it’ll call home.
Priced between R639,000 (Comfort) and R789,900 (Premium, the all-wheel drive flagship, the BYD Sealion 6 is a pricy entry in a super congested segment. If a valid one.