BYD Sealion 8 vs Tesla Model Y L: The Plug-in Hybrid Beat the Full EV in a Fight About Everything That Actually Matters to Families

The BYD Sealion 8 is a seven-seat plug-in hybrid with air suspension, three rows of proper adult seating, massage seats, and 359 kW. The Tesla Model Y L is a stretched six-seat full EV with 378 kW, a massive frunk, and real-world range around 663 km. Both made in China. Both fast, the Tesla winning the drag race to 100 km/h by exactly 0.04 seconds. But CarSauce gave the overall win to the BYD, calling the interior more luxurious, the ride softer, and the third row an actual place to sit. At $81,000 drive-away versus $76,000, the Tesla is pricier, skips the heat pump, and has a turning circle that will wear you out in a car park.