BYD Sealion 6 vs Leapmotor C10
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BYD Sealion 6 wins on money kept: 53% retained after three years vs 51%, worth about R 46 776 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Sealion 6 | C10 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 639 900 | R 759 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 11 184/m | R 13 282/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 71% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 51% |
| Value after 3 years | R 338 960 | R 385 736 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 300 940 | R 374 164 |
| Value after 5 years | R 243 536 | R 271 314 |
| Our tier | Chinese (new entrant) | Chinese (new entrant) |
BYD Sealion 6 →
This medium plug-in hybrid SUV was one of three models BYD launched in April 2025 alongside the Shark 6 and Sealion 7. It offers around 80km of electric-only running and well over 1,000km combined. It has become one of the more common BYDs on SA roads.
Known for: big combined range plug-in family suv
Leapmotor C10 →
Stellantis launched Leapmotor in SA in October 2025 with the C10 REEV, a family SUV that always drives electric while a 1.5 petrol generator stretches range to a claimed 970 km. Two trims at R759,900 and R799,900 include a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and service plan. It squares up to plug-in rivals like the Sealion 6 and Jaecoo J7.
Known for: 970 km range-extender suv
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BYD Sealion 6 or the Leapmotor C10?
The BYD Sealion 6. It keeps about 53% of its price after three years against 51% for the Leapmotor C10, a gap of 2 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BYD Sealion 6 loses about R 300 940 over three years and the Leapmotor C10 loses about R 374 164. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the BYD Sealion 6 runs about R 11 184 per month and the Leapmotor C10 about R 13 282, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.