Toyota bZ4X vs BYD SEALION 6 DM-i

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Toyota bZ4X in South Africa

Toyota bZ4X

bZ4X AWD Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,182,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 255 kW 🔧 269 Nm
VS
BYD SEALION 6 DM-i in South Africa

BYD SEALION 6 DM-i

Premium DM-i AWD Plug-in Hybrid e-CVT Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 96 kW 🔧 220 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Not enough comparable data
Fuel Economy Not enough comparable data
🛡 Safety Not enough comparable data
📦 Practicality Not enough comparable data
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
SEALION 6 DM-i starts ZAR 542,900 cheaper bZ4X from ZAR 1,182,800 · SEALION 6 DM-i from ZAR 639,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec bZ4X SEALION 6 DM-i
Maximum Power 255.3 kW 96 kW @ 5200 rpm
Maximum Torque 268.6 Nm 220 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm
Engine Size Not Applicable 1497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Not Applicable 17.2 km/l
Ground Clearance 212 mm 180 mm
Boot / Load Bay - 425 l
Airbags Driver Knee, Front Side, Front Centre 7
Kerb Weight - 2100 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Warranty 3 years / 100 000 km 5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

The verified specification tables are ready to compare, but Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec bZ4X SEALION 6 DM-i
Model Introduced Year 2026 2024
Generation South African launch specification of Toyota's dedicated battery-electric bZ4X First South African SEALION 6 DM-i generation
Facelift History Introduced locally in 2026 as Toyota South Africa's first battery-electric production model No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since Introduced locally in 2026 as Toyota South Africa's first battery-electric production model Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current South African 2026 specification Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published Active
Segment SUV Medium SUV
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec bZ4X SEALION 6 DM-i
Ground Clearance (Default) 212 mm 180 mm
Towing Capacity 750 kg 1300 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Length - 4775 mm
Width - 1890 mm
Height - 1670 mm
Wheelbase - 2765 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity - 60 l
Boot/Cargo Space - 425 l
Kerb Weight - 2100 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 2510 kg
Payload Capacity - 410 kg
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius - 5.5 m
Front Headroom - 980 mm
Rear Headroom - 910 mm
Front Legroom - 1120 mm
Rear Legroom - 820 mm

Catalogue Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

How to Read This Comparison

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

This bZ4X and SEALION 6 DM-i comparison keeps the exact South African derivatives, lifecycle states, available prices and verified specifications side by side.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.