- The five-seat Sealion 8 gives its outer rear passengers leg rests and adds central storage.
- China's Sealion 8 is unrelated to the similarly named Sealion 8 sold in New Zealand.
- Electric versions offer up to 370kW from one motor, while dual-motor variants combine 215kW and 370kW.
BYD has revealed the five-seat cabin of its new Sealion 8 in China, days before the large SUV is due to launch there on 2 September.
The images, shared by BYD Ocean sales chief Zhang Zhuo and reported by CarNewsChina, show a spacious two-row layout intended to sit alongside the previously detailed six-seat version. The latter uses a 2+2+2 arrangement across three rows.
Crucially, this Sealion 8 is not the Sealion 8 already sold in New Zealand. Despite the near-identical names, they are different models, and BYD has not announced the Sealion 8 for New Zealand.
Five seats bring lounge-style touches
The new configuration swaps the third row for a more generous second-row experience. Each outer rear seat gains a leg rest, while the middle position incorporates a storage cabinet. It gives the five-seater a more lounge-like brief without abandoning the useful centre seat.
At 5115mm long, 1999mm wide and 1800mm high, the Sealion 8 is a substantial SUV. Its 3030mm wheelbase also gives BYD plenty of room to differentiate the two cabin layouts.
The five-seat reveal is the fresh development. BYD had already disclosed the six-seat arrangement and much of the vehicle's broader technical specification ahead of the launch.
Electric and plug-in hybrid choices
Chinese buyers will be offered battery-electric and plug-in hybrid versions. The electric range includes single-motor variants rated at 320kW or 370kW, plus a dual-motor model pairing a 215kW front motor with a 370kW rear motor.
The plug-in hybrid uses a 115kW petrol engine with different electric-motor configurations reported for the range. BYD has not yet disclosed New Zealand pricing, specifications or an arrival date because no local introduction has been announced.
For now, the five-seat interior provides the clearest look at how BYD plans to broaden the Sealion 8's appeal in its home market: fewer seats, but more space and comfort for those aboard.
