On August 13, 2026, the Chinese automotive giant Build Your Dreams finally started the pre-sale window for one of the anticipated plug-in hybrid electric and battery electric sport utility vehicles, the BYD Sealion 08, for the domestic market. Drivers interested in owning this model’s PHEV or BEV can register their interest by exercising the option of the presale via the BYD China mobile app.
To exercise the pre-sale for the BYD Sealion 08 BEV or PHEV variant, you have to deposit the amount of 2,000 yuan (300 USD). The booking amount is fully refundable, meaning after making payment, even anyone who changes their mind can get the full refund without any deduction. The carmaker also announced the presale price for both battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The BEV is available for pre-order with the price range from 230,000 to 260,000 yuan (34,500 to 39,000 USD), but the PHEV costs 250,000 to 280,000 yuan (37,500 to 42,000 USD). It is still uncertain if the market launch price will remain the same or if they will reduce it by a little to make it more affordable for the buyers who prefer BYD’s new energy vehicle over others in the Chinese market.
The Sealion 08 was revealed at the Beijing Auto Show 2026; after that, this electrified SUV appeared in the China MIIT filing catalog release and then arrived at the dealership in July 2026. Two weeks earlier they revealed its interior for the first time, and now they have started the pre-sale. The market launch date is still pending, but we are anticipating it to happen in September 2026.
Notably, it is the flagship sport utility vehicle from BYD under the Ocean series. In the brand’s Sealion lineup, there are four models after the 05, 06, and 07. The very first model is a compact SUV, and the two are mid-size, and the upcoming one is full-size. Following the launch in the Chinese market, it will compete with the Li Auto L9, the AITO M9, the Zeekr 9X, the Xiaomi YU7, and the NIO ES8.
The length, width, and height are 5,115 mm, 1,999 mm, and 1,800 mm, respectively. The wheelbase is 3,030 mm. BYD has already confirmed the model will be available with two different seating layouts, which are a five-seater in 2-3 and a six-seater in 2-2-2. The variant with 5 seats will have a large boot space, and six-seaters will have small cargo space but provide ample space for carrying luggage.
Outside, it has a split LED headlight setup. The wave-shaped daylight running lights are available below the bonnet at the sides, and the main headlamps are integrated with the bumper. Other notables on the exterior are multi-spoke alloy wheels, flush-type door handles, a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor at the front end, A-pillar-mounted ORVMs, and a large roof-integrated spoiler.
The PHEV version gets a 115 kW (154 hp) 1.5 liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol-powered internal combustion engine. It is available with FWD and AWD; the front-wheel-drive variant gets a 200 kW (268 hp) electric motor on the front axle, and the all-wheel drive gets an additional 200 kW (268 hp) electric motor on the rear, whose combined power output is 400 kW (536 hp).
On the other hand, the BEV will also come as RWD and AWD. The rear-wheel-drive variant gets either a 370 kW (496 hp) or 320 kW (429 hp) electric vehicle on the rear axle, and the all-wheel-drive trim gets a 215 kW (288 hp) and 370 kW (496 hp) electric motor on the front and rear axles, respectively, whose combined power output is 585 kW (784 hp).