BYD Seal vs Toyota Camry Hybrid: 5-year cost to own (Australia)
Over 5 years in Australia (12,000 km/yr), as of July 9, 2026, the Toyota Camry Hybrid stays the cheaper car to own — about $48,031 vs $64,053 for the BYD Seal, a $16,022 difference over 5 years.
Novated lease (FBT exemption): for a salary-packaged EV the federal FBT exemption can cut the cost substantially — it depends on your income and tax, so it is not in the totals above. Source: ATO.
Cheaper to own over 5 years · AustraliaToyota Camry Hybrid · $48,031 total · $16,022 less than the BYD Seal
BYD Seal vs Toyota Camry Hybrid — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · BYD Seal | Hybrid · Toyota Camry Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $28,768 (45%) | $16,796 (35%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,826 (8%) | $4,401 (9%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$579) | — |
| Maintenance | $4,752 (7%) | $5,502 (11%) |
| Insurance | $12,725 (20%) | $10,000 (21%) |
| Financing interest | $8,606 (13%) | $6,957 (14%) |
| Registration & fees | $4,375 (7%) | $4,375 (9%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $64,053 | $48,031 |
When does the BYD Seal win?
The Toyota Camry Hybrid wins decisively here — $16,022 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Toyota Camry Hybrid stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
What decides the BYD Seal vs Toyota Camry Hybrid verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $28,768 on the BYD Seal against $16,796 on the Toyota Camry Hybrid, an $11,972 gap in the Toyota Camry Hybrid's favor — the largest slice of the $16,022 verdict. On the BYD Seal, depreciation alone is 45% of its $64,053 total; on the Toyota Camry Hybrid it is 35% of $48,031.
- Insurance: BYD Seal $12,725, Toyota Camry Hybrid $10,000 — $2,725 more in the Toyota Camry Hybrid's favor.
- Financing interest: BYD Seal $8,606, Toyota Camry Hybrid $6,957 — $1,649 more in the Toyota Camry Hybrid's favor.
- Maintenance: BYD Seal $4,752, Toyota Camry Hybrid $5,502 — $750 the other way, to the BYD Seal.
The BYD Seal gets $750 back on maintenance, but against a $16,022 verdict that is loose change. The BYD Seal starts $8,770 behind the Toyota Camry Hybrid at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $16,022. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is ahead by $4,978 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $16,022 by year 5.
BYD Seal vs Toyota Camry Hybrid, side by side
BYD Seal
- 5-yr total cost
- $64,053
- Cost / month
- $1,068
- Cost / km
- $1.07
- Starting price
- $48,760
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 16.5 kWh/100km
Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 5-yr total cost
- $48,031
- Cost / month
- $801
- Cost / km
- $0.80
- Starting price
- $39,990
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 4.5 L/100km
- Australia electricity
- 33.00c/kWh AER
- Petrol (Australia)
- $1.63/L AIP