BYD Sealion 7 vs MG S6

The MG is the cheaper car. As of September 2026 the S6 Essence RWD is $49,990 drive-away, while the Sealion 7 Premium is $54,990. The two line up like for like right now because BYD is absorbing the Sealion 7's on-road costs on a free on-roads offer that runs to 30 September, so both figures are drive-away, a clear $5,000 gap. Once that BYD offer ends, its price reverts to a before on-road costs figure, which pushes the Sealion 7's drive-away higher and widens the gap. Both prices move with campaigns, so confirm the current drive-away figure with each brand, but on the money the S6 is clearly the cheaper way into this much car.

The S6 leads on range and efficiency. Its rear-drive Essence claims 530km on the WLTP cycle to the Sealion 7 Premium's 482, and the all-wheel-drive S6 claims 485km to the Performance's 456, so the MG is ahead at both ends of the ladder. It manages the longer range on the smaller battery, 77kWh against the BYD's 82.56, because it is lighter and uses less energy: 145Wh/km against 170 for the Sealion 7. Lower consumption means lower running costs and longer legs between charges. Both are laboratory figures and real-world range sits below them, especially in the cold. On range and running costs the S6 is comfortably the stronger.

The Sealion 7 is the quicker of the two to charge. It peaks at 150kW on a DC fast charger to the S6's 144, and quotes about 32 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent against the MG's 38. Both accept up to 11kW three-phase on AC, so each refills fully overnight on a home wallbox, and both use the CCS2 plug that opens the whole Australian public network. Neither is an 800-volt fast-charging standout, so on a long trip you plan around a half-hour stop in either. If fast charging is a priority the BYD has the small edge, but the MG's greater efficiency means it adds fewer kilowatt-hours to cover the same distance.

Both hold a five-star ANCAP rating from 2025 testing, valid to December 2031, so neither is a compromise. They earn it differently. The MG is the stronger crash performer, scoring 92 per cent for adult-occupant protection to the BYD's 87, 84 per cent for vulnerable road users to 76, and 81 per cent for safety assist to 78. The Sealion 7 answers on child-occupant protection, a strong 93 per cent to the MG's 87. Each fits autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control as standard, with the MG adding rear cross-traffic alert. On the record it is a wash, the MG ahead on three of four sub-scores and the BYD leading the child result.

The S6 is the roomier car for everyday loads. Seats up, its 581-litre boot beats the Sealion 7's 500, and its 86-litre front boot leads the BYD's 58, so both the weekly shop and the charging cables have more room. Fold the rear seats and the BYD edges back ahead, opening to 1,769 litres against the MG's 1,690, a slim win at maximum load. The Sealion 7 also has the longer wheelbase, 2,930mm to 2,835, which shows up as a little more rear-seat legroom. Both are five-seat SUVs of similar length. For boot and front storage in daily use the MG is the more practical, the BYD reclaiming ground only with the seats folded.

The Sealion 7 is the quicker car across the range. Its rear-drive Premium makes 230kW for a claimed 6.7-second run to 100km/h, ahead of the S6 Essence RWD's 180kW and about 7.5 seconds. Step to the flagships and the gap grows: the Sealion 7 Performance makes 390kW and 690Nm for a 4.5-second sprint, where the S6 AWD makes 266kW and 540Nm for 5.1. Both cars are tuned for comfort rather than corners, so the pace matters more at the lights than on a winding road, and neither is a sharp driver's car. If straight-line speed is the draw, the BYD has it at both the entry and the top of each range.

The MG has the simpler answer: the S6 is rated to tow 1,500kg braked on both the rear-drive and all-wheel-drive grades. The Sealion 7 depends on which one you buy. The rear-drive Premium is rated to just 750kg braked, half the MG's figure, while the dual-motor Performance matches it at 1,500kg. So at the value end, where most buyers shop, the S6 tows twice what the base Sealion 7 can; at the top, the two are level. Both manage 750kg unbraked. Neither is a heavy hauler by ute standards, but for a small camper or box trailer the MG offers the capability across its range, where the BYD reserves it for the dearer grade.

This one leans the MG's way. The S6 carries a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with up to 10 years of roadside assistance when you service in the MG network, against the Sealion 7's six years and 150,000km with one year of roadside. It also services less often, every 25,000km to the BYD's 20,000, which means fewer workshop trips over time. The BYD has one card of its own here, a longer battery warranty at eight years and 160,000km to the MG's seven years. As the more efficient car the S6 also costs a little less to charge. On the cover that de-risks a newer badge, the MG is the stronger case, the BYD's longer battery term the counterweight.

Both cabins punch above the price, for different reasons. The Sealion 7 leads on screen, a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen to the S6's 12.8, and pairs it with leather trim and a panoramic roof standard on both grades. The S6 answers with vegan leather and suede, DAB+ digital radio the BYD leaves off, and the physical climate controls Australian reviewers rate as a welcome throwback. Both fit wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and a matching 10.25-inch driver's display. Read it as the Sealion 7 for the bigger, flashier screen and the plusher finish, the MG for the everyday usability of real buttons and the extra radio band.

It comes down to value against polish and pace. If you want the most range, space and cover for the money, the S6 is the pick: at about $5,000 less to drive away as of September 2026 it claims more range on less battery, uses less energy, adds a bigger boot and frunk, and backs it with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, provided you accept a firmer ride, no over-the-air updates and unproven resale. If you want the quicker car, the bigger 15.6-inch rotating screen, a panoramic roof standard and the reassurance of a proven, high-volume nameplate, the Sealion 7 earns its premium. Weigh value and efficiency against pace and the badge.