BYD confirms all-new 2026 flagship SUV above Sealion 8

BYD is continuing to expand its SUV line-up with an all-new three-row model that will sit above the Sealion 8 in its family SUV range.

New flagship for BYD

Codenamed Dynasty-D, the upcoming SUV model will join BYD’s large SUV line-up and is expected to be positioned as a more road-focused offering compared with BYD’s Denza models. While not part of the Denza luxury subbrand, it is expected to offer better comfort, materials and technology in line with higher-end rivals.

Measuring more than 5.2 metres in length, it will exceed the size of the 5040mm Sealion 8 and rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade and BMW X7. This positions the Dynasty-D as one of the largest luxury SUVs in the Chinese and potentially Australian market, rivaling European premium SUVs in size and features.

Concept design preview

First revealed as a near-production concept at the 2025 Shanghai motor show, the Dynasty-D features:

• Bamboo and gold leaf interior trim
• Multi-screen infotainment system
• ‘Zero-gravity’ reclining second-row captain’s chairs with heating, cooling and massage (expected on upper variants)

Both six and seven-seat layouts are planned, with business buyers in mind for the more luxurious six-seat versions.

Plug-in hybrid and electric options expected

While BYD has yet to confirm powertrain details, the flagship SUV is expected to offer both fully electric and plug-in hybrid versions. According to Chinese media, one option could be BYD’s latest DM 5.0 hybrid system, which could provide up to 200km of EV-only driving.

Release delayed to 2026

Despite appearing close to production, BYD has delayed the launch from late 2025 to the second quarter of 2026. BYD has cited increased competition in China’s large-SUV segment and ongoing development work as reasons for the adjusted timeline.

The new SUV model is set to lead BYD’s Dynasty Series, positioned above the value-focused Ocean range.

Australian launch timeline remains unclear

BYD’s local SUV line-up is expanding. In Australia, the BYD Atto 2, Atto 3, and Sealion 7 EVs are now on sale, while the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV will soon be joined by the BYD Sealion 5 and Sealion 8.

The BYD Sealion 8 will compete against the likes of Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-80 and Toyota Kluger, with pricing expected to start below $60,000. However, BYD has not yet confirmed if the flagship SUV will be offered in Australia.