BYD SEALION 6

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MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV

Japan’s best-selling PHEV

BYD entered the Japanese market in 2022 with fully electric models such as the ATTO 3 and Dolphin. In December 2025, the company launched the Sea Lion 6, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, a major contender in the Japanese market, where EV adoption is slow. Although it is a mid-size crossover SUV, the initial FWD model will be priced at 3,982,000 yen, while the AWD model, which is scheduled to be released later, will be priced at 4,488,000 yen, making it competitive with internal combustion engine (ICE) models in the Japanese market.

The first generation Mitsubishi Outlander (second generation in overseas markets) debuted in 2005, and the current third generation model will debut in 2021. In the Japanese market, this generation has been sold as a PHEV-only model, and in 2024 it achieved the title of “Japan’s highest-selling PHEV.”

The Outlander is available in a seven-seater model, but the Sea Lion 6 is 55mm longer and has a wheelbase 60mm larger. However, in terms of vehicle weight, the Outlander, which is AWD and equipped with a large-capacity battery, is 130kg heavier than the FWD Sea Lion 6.

BYD Sea Lion 6

Body size = Length 4775mm x Width 1890mm x Height 1670mm

Wheelbase = 2765mm

Vehicle weight = 1940kg

Tire size = 235/50R19

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV M

Body size = Total length 4720mm x Total width 1860mm x Total height 1745mm

Wheelbase = 2705mm

Vehicle weight = 2070kg

Tire size = 235/60R18

Outlander surpasses in power and range

The Sea Lion 6 is equipped with a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 98 PS, which supplies power to a motor on the front axle. In EV mode, the range is 100 km, and the maximum range exceeds 1,200 km. The Outlander PHEV combines a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two motors, and in EV mode, the range is 106 km, slightly longer than the Sea Lion 6.

BYD Sea Lion 6

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine + motor

Displacement = 1498cc

Engine maximum output = 98PS/6000rpm

Maximum torque = 122Nm/4000-4500rpm

Motor maximum output = 145kW (rated output 60kW)

Motor maximum torque = 300Nm

Transmission = Single-speed fixed

Drive system = FWD

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV M

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder gasoline + 2 motors

Displacement = 2359cc

Engine maximum output = 133PS/5000rpm

Engine maximum torque = 195Nm/4300rpm

Motor maximum output = 185kW (rated output 80kW)

Motor maximum torque = 450Nm

Transmission = Single-speed fixed

Drive system = AWD

Fully equipped Sea Lion 6

The Sea Lion 6 has a spacious interior that makes the most of its long wheelbase, with a 12.3-inch meter cluster in the cockpit and a 15.6-inch touch display in the center of the instrument panel. A panoramic glass roof with an electric shade that brings in bright light is also standard equipment.

The Outlander PHEV combines a 12.3-inch full LCD driver display with a 12.3-inch center display. The interior has a calm atmosphere typical of Mitsubishi cars and boasts a high level of quality that is carefully crafted down to the smallest detail. The entry-level “M” model featured here is only available in a five-seater configuration, but other grades also offer a seven-seater configuration with a third row of seats.

Mitsubishi was one of the first to introduce BEVs in the conservative Japanese market, making the mass-produced Outlander a PHEV-only model. Considering its quality and performance, a price of over 5 million yen seems quite reasonable. However, the Sea Lion 6, with its generous body size and ample driving performance, is priced more than 1 million yen lower than the cheapest Outlander model, despite being a single-motor FWD.

The Outlander PHEV has appeal that cannot be measured by specs, such as its off-road capability and robustness. The Sea Lion 6 seems to have the cards to break that stronghold and has entered the Japanese market.