BYD’s SUV Mimics Genesis So Closely You'll Do a Double Take | Carscoops

      It's difficult to overlook the resemblances between the new BYD Sea Lion 06 and the Genesis GV60, despite the significant price difference between them.

      The BYD Sea Lion 06 is a newly designed electrified SUV from China that exhibits familiar styling.

      Its front design heavily echoes Genesis designs, while the rear features taillights reminiscent of Bentley.

      Customers have the option of a single or dual electric motor, or a plug-in hybrid setup.

      Amid a plethora of vehicle unveilings at the Shanghai Auto Show, some standout models can easily be overlooked due to the swift pace of new releases. However, once everything settles, a few intriguing names emerge, including the BYD Sea Lion 06, an attractive electrified SUV whose front end appears to have come directly from Genesis.

      The split LED headlights are right out of the luxury Korean brand’s design book, framed by a grille-less front that closely mirrors the updated Genesis GV60. Yet, the Sea Lion 06 avoids the sleek coupe-SUV look, opting for a more upright SUV form that offers greater road presence and possibly enhanced practicality.

      Design Aspects with Recognizable Influences

      Several other design elements catch the eye, such as the wraparound glasshouse and full-width taillights that advance the design language of the BYD Seal sedan. There’s even a touch of Bentley in the rear light bar’s shape, subtle enough to indicate that BYD's designers are observing the luxury market.

      Inside, the interior layout is familiar for anyone accustomed to modern Chinese EVs. The focal point is a 15.6-inch infotainment display centered on the dashboard, a feature that has almost become standard. What distinguishes it from the norm is the floating center console equipped with metallic-style controls that subtly hint at a Genesis influence. As is typical for BYD, the Sea Lion 06 includes the company’s in-house “God’s Eye” advanced driver assistance system.

      Two Powertrains, Same Appearance

      The SUV is built on BYD’s updated e-Platform 3.0 Evo. Buyers can select either a fully electric model or a plug-in hybrid (DM-i). The electric variant offers options for single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The plug-in hybrid combines electric propulsion with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. Regardless of the powertrain, the exterior design remains unchanged for all variants, with BYD refraining from altering the wheel design for differentiation.

      Positioned under the Sea Lion 07, the BYD Sea Lion 06 has a slight size difference. Specifically, the 06 measures 4,810 mm (189.4 inches) in length, making it only 20 mm (0.8 inches) shorter than the 07. However, the 2,820 mm (111.0 inches) wheelbase of the 06 is 110 mm (4.3 inches) shorter than that of the 07.

      Even so, the Sea Lion 06 boasts a larger footprint compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and the Genesis GV60, and its design hints that it may be more oriented towards family use than some of its sportier rivals.

      Regarding pricing, BYD is targeting the budget-conscious market. In China, the Sea Lion 06 is anticipated to be priced between ¥160,000 and ¥200,000, which equates to around $22,000 to $27,500. It remains uncertain whether this electrified SUV will be introduced in markets outside of China, such as Europe.