BYD SEALION 6 DM-i vs Foton Truckmate

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
VS
Foton Truckmate in South Africa

Foton Truckmate

Box Body Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 239,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 82 kW 🔧 142 Nm ⛽ 12.66 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD SEALION 6 DM-i vs Foton Truckmate: the short answer

Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Truckmate starts ZAR 440,000 cheaper SEALION 6 DM-i from ZAR 639,900 · Truckmate from ZAR 199,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification SEALION 6 DM-i Truckmate
Maximum Power SEALION 6 DM-i96 kW @ 5200 rpm Truckmate82 kW
Maximum Torque SEALION 6 DM-i220 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm Truckmate142 Nm
Engine Size SEALION 6 DM-i1497 cc Truckmate1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy SEALION 6 DM-i17.2 km/l Truckmate12.66 km/l
Ground Clearance SEALION 6 DM-i180 mm TruckmateNot Officially Disclosed

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec SEALION 6 DM-i Truckmate
Model Introduced Year 2024 2025
Generation First South African SEALION 6 DM-i generation Compact single-row cab platform with a 2,400 mm wheelbase and dropside or box-body factory configurations.
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 Current South African Truckmate range, with no separate facelift identified.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV Light truck
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Medium SUV Compact business truck
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Light commercial vehicle
Spec SEALION 6 DM-i Truckmate
Length 4775 mm 4735 mm
Width 1890 mm 1695 mm
Height 1670 mm 2420 mm
Wheelbase 2765 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 180 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 60 l Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space 425 l Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight 2100 kg 1310 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2510 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 410 kg 1100 kg
Towing Capacity 1300 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom 980 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 910 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1120 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 820 mm Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This SEALION 6 DM-i and Truckmate comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.

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.

Specification 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.

What the evidence means

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.

SEALION 6 DM-i vs Truckmate questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.