BYD Sealion 5 2026 Review
The BYD Sealion 5 isn’t expected to bring big gains to the Chinese automaker’s Aussie sales ledger, but its timing is impeccable. New car buyers are increasingly hungry for plug-in hybrids of all kinds, and in a cost-of-living crisis, having the sharpest price around is likely to translate into healthy uptake. Arriving as the smallest and most affordable model in BYD’s extensive Sealion family of SUVs, does it shape up as a compelling option in the most competitive segment in the country? Our first drive was a brief one, but initial impressions are positive.
How much does the BYD Sealion 5 cost?
At $33,990 before on-roads, the BYD Sealion 5 is – by a margin of $3500 – Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid, edging out Geely’s Starray EM-i Complete.
It’s also the fourth member of BYD’s Sealion family, as well as its cheapest, and arrives to duke it out in the medium SUV segment against some formidable opposition.
Besides its ultra-sharp price tag, a strong equipment fit-out will help it gain traction with car buyers.
Offered in two grades – Essential and Premium – both will come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, pleather upholstery, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, integrated sat-nav, voice controls, LED headlamps, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry.
Paying $4000 more unlocks some extra goodies for the Premium, among them a 12.8-inch infotainment screen in place of the Essential’s 10.1-incher, three more speakers for the sound system (for a total of nine), power-adjustable front seats (six-way for the driver, four-way for the passenger) and a panoramic glass roof.
Lump in a powered tailgate, auto-windows on every door (not just the driver’s), a 360-degree parking camera with front and rear parking sensors (the Essential only has rear sensors and a reversing cam), and a wireless phone charger and the Premium lives up to its name.
Mechanically, both the Essential and Premium use the same 1.5-litre petrol engine (72kW/122Nm), hooked up to an electric drive motor (145kW/300Nm).
When working together in hybrid mode, they supply the front wheels (an all-wheel drive config isn’t offered) with a combined 156kW and 300Nm, enough thrust to tug the 1.7-tonne Sealion 5 Essential to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds – or 8.1 seconds for the heavier Premium.
The bigger difference between the two grades concerns their battery capacity.
For the Essential, a 12.9kWh battery supplies enough energy for a 71km electric-only driving claim, and a 1.2L/100km overall efficiency claim.
For the Premium, a bigger 18.3kWh battery delivers a 100km electric-only range stat, with a slightly higher 1.3L/100km average fuel efficiency. According to BYD, both Sealion 5 variants will run for over 1000km in hybrid mode before refuelling is needed.
What’s good about the BYD Sealion 5?
Price is definitely at the top of the list for the BYD Sealion 5’s list of virtues.
For the same amount of dosh as a mid-spec Toyota Yaris Cross 2WD (which exists in a smaller size class), BYD is able to offer a substantially larger car with more power and torque, plus the money-saving capability of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Another positive? While the front cabin feels a bit narrow, the rear seats are roomy for a mid-size SUV.
There’s loads of legroom, a clear floor that facilitates left-to-right scooching, and enough backrest-to-backrest distance to accommodate bulky rear-facing baby seats.
As for how it drives, we can’t definitively say.
The local launch was brutally brief and by the time we hopped into the Sealion 5 to drive at the national media launch, its battery had been depleted below the 25 percent threshold which locks out the ability to drive it on electric power alone.
In hybrid mode, performance is indeed fairly strong, but not to the extent that it overwhelms the front wheels like some other torque-laden 2WD Chinese hybrids can.
The handover between combustion engine and electric motor is also fairly seamless, as is the regenerative braking/hydraulic braking interface.
There’s some rack rattle over harsh mid-corner bumps but reasonable suspension compliance overall. We also noticed some inverter whine at low speeds, but a more detailed appraisal of the BYD Sealion 5’s driving aptitude will have to wait until we get more time with the car.
What’s not so good about the BYD Sealion 5?
Cabin quality is, as you might expect for the cheapest vehicle in its category, sub-par in areas.
While there are plenty of soft-touch surfaces on the dash and upper door cards, some harder polymers on the lower dash and centre console are proof that the BYD Sealion 5 has been built with low costs in mind.
Opting for the Premium doesn’t remedy that either – your extra spend merely puts more gear in the cabin, as well as that larger battery.
But a bigger issue is the Sealion 5’s inability to take a DC fast charger plug, with only a receptacle for a Type 2 AC plug to be found behind its charge flap.
That’s going to be limiting for owners trying to top off the battery on longer drives, with most public DC fast-chargers now only compatible with the larger CCS2 plugs.
With a 3.3kW limit on its charge rate, that means even those with a 7kW home wallbox also won’t be able to make the fullest use of their own infrastructure.
Should I buy a BYD Sealion 5?
If you’ve been itching to put a plug-in hybrid in your driveway, the BYD Sealion 5 ain’t a bad choice.
Its single-charge range is sufficient enough in the base model for most people to get away without burning a drop of fuel when commuting, while the Premium grade has even more EV endurance for those that need it.
The BYD Sealion 5 is not a bad middle-ground choice for anyone who’d like to electrify their fleet but is reluctant to go whole-hog with a true EV.
On top of that, it’s pretty spacious for a mid-size SUV and definitely well-equipped.
There are some rough edges to the experience, but from our first very brief drive – and for a budget-conscious eco-car – there’s plenty to like about the Sealion 5.
2026 BYD Sealion 5 at a glance:
Price: $33,990 - $37,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 72kW/122Nm (electric motor: 145kW/300Nm)
Combined output: 156kW/300Nm
Transmission: automatic
Battery: 12.9kWh LFP (Essential), 18.3kWh LFP (Premium)
Range: 71km (Essential), 100km (Premium)
Energy consumption: N/A
Fuel: 1.2L/100km (Essential), 1.3L/100km (Premium)
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: Not tested
Related: BYD announces rapid expansion plan for Australia
Related: 2026 BYD Sealion 5 priced
Related: BYD Sealion 5 2026 Review
- Ultra-sharp pricing puts PHEV tech within reach of more people
- Solid standard equipment list – especially for up-spec Premium grade
- Super-roomy back seat area improves overall vehicle appeal
- Absence of DC charging capability means long trips necessitate burning fuel
- Some cabin elements feel cheaper than the norm for BYD
- No AWD option available
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