BYD Sealion 5 2026 Review

Prices are yet to be locked in for the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 range but considering the Chinese brand’s ambitious plan to introduce it as the most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in Australia, it’s bound to be cheap.

We’re predicting a starting price in the low-to-mid-$30,000s, which would see the Sealion 5 undercut the current PHEV price leader, the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid ($39,990 drive-away), depending on the on-road costs.

In terms of details, full specifications are yet to be confirmed but you can expect 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and a 463-litre boot (1410L with rear seat folded) to feature across the range, while flagship grades are set to score a 12.8-inch touch-screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, nine-speaker audio system, app connectivity with access to live vehicle data, wireless phone charging, 360-degree parking camera, electric tailgate and leather-appointed front seats with power-adjustment.

The medium SUV line-up will consist of two variants – Essential and Premium – both powered by the same 156kW,1.5-litre petrol-electric powertrain dubbed ‘DM-i Super Hybrid’.

Both grades are front-wheel drive and offer seating for five, but the entry-level Essential will come fitted with a 12.9kWh battery to deliver around 71km of electric range whereas the Premium nabs a bigger 18.3kWh battery pack good for up to 100km of EV driving.

Catch is, BYD has only provided range estimates based on the more lenient NEDC test cycle, so Aussie-delivered examples likely won’t travel as far on electricity alone.

That said, a combined driving range of around 1000km is promised.

The Sealion 5 won’t come with DC fast charging capabilities Down Under. Instead, it’ll offer AC charging up to 3.3kW, and we’re told charging times will vary depending on the grade: the Essential should go from 15-100 per cent in 4.5 hours, while the Premium will take six.

Claimed consumption between the pair is almost identical; 4.5L and 4.6L per 100km respectively – or supposedly as little as 1.2L/100km (Essential) when the battery state-of-charge (SoC) is between 100 and 25 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Essential’s quicker 7.7-second 0-100km/h sprint time – 8.1s for Premium – is thanks to a 60kg weight saving over the heavier Premium (1785kg).

Underneath, the Sealion 5 rides on MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension.

Our brief first drive of the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 took place at the Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria, behind the wheel of a pre-production version representative of a top-spec Premium, and first impressions are positive.

Cabin fit and finish is nice with an array of quality-feeling materials scattered throughout (mismatched materials and textures are a BYD specialty), along with plenty of physical buttons on the centre console that bring a practical element to an otherwise tech-laden cabin. 

BYD says access to apps such as Spotify, in-car karaoke, YouTube, Disney+ and Amazon Books will be available from launch, while more apps will be rolled out in future.

A spacious second row with decent amenities (a pair of USB ports, air vents and ISOFIX point at either side) will comfortably fit a pair of average-sized adults (anyone over 175cm might struggle for headroom), although toe room behind the driver’s seat is limited thanks to a vent-type contraption.

Average on paper, the 463L boot looks generous in size and rather deep, with a flat-loading space and a little extra storage space for smaller items under the floor for things like charging cables and a tyre repair kit (sadly, it doesn’t come with a spare wheel).

Behind the wheel, the Sealion 5 feels composed and confident at highway speeds, with the plug-in hybrid set-up blending its petrol and electricity seamlessly in the background.

There’s no jolting or shoving as it blends power sources and it’s a surprisingly quiet set-up – you’ll only hear the four-cylinder working under hard acceleration.

On a loop designed to simulate a high-speed country road, the Sealion 5 irons out most lumps and bumps with ease, remaining sure-footed even after a larger dip in the road – you hear a lot more of what’s happening underneath the car than you feel, which is a good thing.

Acceleration is brisk enough for a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV, but it’s not class-leading, and if you want something more performance-oriented, the all-paw Sealion 6 is worth a look.

Happily, every Sealion 5 grade is set to come equipped with BYD’s complete safety and driver assist suite, including Level 2 autonomous driving (not hands-off).

You could argue the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is just another SUV in a market flooded with choice… and you’d be right.

There are similarly affordable options in the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (from $39,990 d/a), GWM Haval H6 PHEV (from $40,990 d/a) and Geely Starray EM-i (from $37,490 plus ORCs), as well as plugless hybrid options from more mainstream brands: Toyota RAV4 (from $42,260 plus ORCs), Hyundai Tucson (from $42,850 plus ORCs) and Kia Sportage (from $46,450 plus ORCs), among others.

But BYD says the front-drive-only Sealion 5 will offer more choice for budget-conscious buyers wanting the efficiency benefits of a PHEV without the price tag of a Sealion 6 which is already relatively affordable (from $42,990 plus ORCs) and can be had with all-wheel drive.

Our brief test failed to uncover many negatives, unless you count the bland exterior design and light steering that’s lacking in feel or feedback.

Behind the wheel, we also noticed the hazard lights would activate during reasonable but not excessive braking – nowhere near enough to activate the ABS.

Most modern cars these days have similar tech to warn other drivers you’re braking heavily, but it doesn’t usually activate unless the ABS has been triggered or close to.

Not that it’s a major problem, but in Sealion 5, it just seems to activate prematurely with less pedal pressure than you’d expect.

We also found the big 12.8-inch touchscreen – which doesn’t rotate like other BYD models – a little convoluted with all its menus and options, although admittedly, owners would ultimately become familiar with it and its optional shortcuts.

Elsewhere, some questions remain around the PHEV system’s battery.

Speaking to local media at the drive event, a BYD executive said the battery will preserve a minimum 25 per cent charge to avoid the vehicle having to rely on the 1.5-litre petrol engine alone, however “it is possible to go below the 25 per cent if you’re driving very hard”.

Meanwhile, the EV-only range of between 71km and 100km (NEDC, depending on the grade) is achieved from 100 per cent to 25 per cent battery rather than to 100 to zero, because, as mentioned, the LFP battery isn’t designed to be fully drained.

Confusing matters more, BYD’s quoted recharge times mention charging from a 15 per cent state of charge; a level it’s supposedly not designed to drop to.

Confused? Us too.

Competitive pricing is all but certain to be the 2026 BYD Sealion 5’s unique selling point, and the fact it’s set to come highly equipped and offer a decent driving experience – based on this brief pre-production test – is the cherry on top.

There are still a lot of unknowns, but the momentum with which BYD is bringing new models to market, along with its aggressive pricing strategy should see the new mid-size SUV arrive as a compelling option. 

Just how compelling it’ll be when it arrives… only time will tell.

2026 BYD Sealion 5 at a glance:
Price: TBC
Available: Early 2026
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 72kW/122Nm (electric motor: 145kW/300Nm)
Combined output: 156kW
Transmission: Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
Battery: 18.3kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 100km (NEDC)
Energy consumption: TBC
Fuel: 4.6L/100km (NEDC)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Not tested 

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