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Sure, one other new BYD stands earlier than you.
Say good day to the 2026 BYD Sealion 5, yet one more new SUV within the Chinese language auto model’s ever-growing lineup. This mid-size plug-in hybrid household crossover is seeking to attraction to the budget-conscious, and sits under the bigger Sealion 6.
On account of land in Australian showrooms early subsequent yr, the Sealion 5 is across the similar dimension because the Nissan X-Path and Mitsubishi Outlander, however it’s strictly a five-seater and can provide two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain choices with as much as 100km of EV vary.
BYD can be promising it is going to be fairly reasonably priced as effectively, hinting at a value level not far off the newly launched Atto 2 small SUV– doubtlessly pointing to a ~$35,000 place to begin, which might make it the most cost-effective new PHEV in Australia.
Forward of its official launch in 2026, BYD Australia invited us to have a fast spin of the Sealion 5 – in addition to a variety of different incoming new merchandise – on the previous Holden proving floor in Lang Lang, Victoria.
Does the Sealion 5 have the makings of a household favorite? Or is it oversaturating BYD’s presence within the hotly-contested medium SUV phase?
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 5 price?
We’re unsure simply but, however primarily based on BYD’s clues we reckon you’ll be wanting on the $35,000-$45,000 bracket for the Sealion 5, which properly slots below the Sealion 6 ($42,990-$52,990 earlier than on-road prices).
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 BYD Sealion 5 Important | $TBC |
| 2026 BYD Sealion 5 Premium | $TBC |
The Chinese language model’s native arm has confirmed two variants for launch, each operating 1.5-litre PHEV drivetrains. The Important will get a smaller 12.9kWh ‘Blade’ battery, whereas the Premium will get a bigger 18.3kWh unit.
Extra on the drivetrain particulars additional down, however as famous earlier the Sealion 5 will likely be a cut-price PHEV different to the likes of the X-Path and Outlander, competing on value with the likes of similarly-sized Chinese language rivals within the Chery Tiggo 7 Tremendous Hybrid (from $39,990 drive-away) and Geely Starray EM-i (from $37,490).
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What’s the BYD Sealion 5 like on the within?
The Sealion 5 hails from BYD’s older vary when it comes to design, which is sensible given it dates again to 2019 within the Chinese language home market, the place’s it’s referred to as the Music Professional.
We solely had a take a look at the higher-spec ‘Premium’ on the drive day, which has confirmed options like a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, energy entrance seats, a wi-fi telephone charger, and 360-degree cameras.
The sweeping dashboard design and curved traces are someplace between these within the Atto 3 and Sealion 6, and regardless of its extra budget-leaning anticipated price ticket there’s degree of perceived high quality in the way in which all the pieces is screwed collectively.
Leather-based-look surfaces with distinction stitching characteristic all through, and whereas the local weather controls are accessed by way of a devoted digital toolbar on the touchscreen, there are many tactile buttons and toggles for key features each on the steering wheel and centre console.
The Sealion 5 gives good outward visibility from the motive force’s seat, with its extra upright physique and taller glasshouse making it really feel somewhat extra open and ethereal than the curvier Sealion 6, for instance.
Having a panoramic roof in Premium spec solely emphasises it additional, and it doesn’t actually really feel like headroom is impacted consequently, due to the tall roofline.
Consolation from the chunky entrance seats is respectable although the bolstering isn’t as sturdy because the seats’ sporty design may recommend; and the slim digital instrument cluster is… fundamental.
Storage is alright however not spectacular, with just a few slim cubbies strewn about and two phone-sized slots below the touchscreen with a kind of doubling up as a wi-fi telephone charger.
I’ll additionally notice that whereas BYD has achieved job at minimising the usage of piano black trim on high-traffic surfaces within the cabin, the shiny black lacquer throughout the dashboard seems to be prefer it’ll appeal to fingerprints, smudges and scratches fairly rapidly in case you have passengers that wish to poke and prod round, or throw schoolbags in.
Sadly I don’t have a photograph of the rear seat to indicate you (thanks BYD), however there’s loads of room for six’1″ me to sit down comfortably behind a 6’1″ driver or entrance passenger.
Once more that boxy kind issue means there’s good house in all dimensions, which means rising households ought to have room for the children and their pals. ISOFIX and top-tether youngster seat anchor factors characteristic, too.
You additionally get rear air vents and a USB cost port within the rear, along with map pockets behind each entrance seats and bottle holders within the doorways.
Additional again there’s a 463-litre boot which expands to 1410L with the rear seats folded, which in five-seat format is definitely greater than the BYD Sealion 6 (425L).
| Dimensions | BYD Sealion 5 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4738mm |
| Width | 1860mm |
| Top | 1710mm |
| Wheelbase | 2712mm |
| Cargo capability | 463-1410L |
What’s below the bonnet?
The Sealion 5 is powered by a 1.5-litre PHEV drivetrain with two out there battery sizes relying on variant.
| Specs | Important | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl PHEV | 1.5L 4cyl PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 72kW + 122Nm | 72kW + 122Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 145kW + 300Nm | 145kW + 300Nm |
| System outputs | 156kW | 156kW |
| Battery | 12.9kWh LFP | 18.3kWh LFP |
| Transmission | – | – |
| Drive kind | FWD | FWD |
| Weight | 1724kg – kerb | 1785kg – kerb |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.7s | 8.1s |
| Gasoline economic system 100-25% SoC (claimed) | 1.2L/100km | 1.3L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system <25% SoC (claimed) | 4.5L/100km | 4.6L100km |
| Electrical driving vary (NEDC) | 71km | 100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 52L | 52L |
BYD’s ‘DM-i Tremendous Hybrid’ know-how is acquainted from varied merchandise together with the Sealion 6 and a few of its different upcoming fashions, with the drivetrain relying extra on the electrical motor and largely utilizing the petrol engine as a generator slightly than a drive motor.
Apparently, BYD additionally quotes a gas consumption determine when the battery is depleted to 25 per cent cost or much less with no usable electrical vary. Rated at 4.5-4.6L/100km, that’s fairly spectacular claimed consumption when the automobile defaults to ‘Hybrid’ or ‘HEV’ mode.
How does the BYD Sealion 5 drive?
I’ll preface this with the truth that our drive was restricted to a 30-45 minute stint on a skid pan with some 0-100km/h runs, in addition to a slalom, motorkhana and a splash across the experience and dealing with monitor – so in brief, it wassn’t very complete.
Having pushed the far more highly effective Sealion 8 first, the Sealion 5’s acceleration is much extra leisurely and progressive than its dual-motor stablemate.
That mentioned, the 0-100km/h declare of high-7.0 to eight.0 seconds feels about proper by the seat of the pants, and aggressive with rival hybrids from Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.
BYD has tuned the throttle and drivetrain to put on the facility progressively even when you attempt to boot it off the road, serving to to minimise wheelspin and torque steer, which is sensible for this class of automobile.
Below exhausting acceleration you’ll hear the engine fireplace up and spin away whilst you’re hammering it, and the ‘Xiaoyun’ petrol motor is somewhat coarse and unrefined – however until you’re foot to the ground on a regular basis, you gained’t actually hear it.
The tuning could be very mild and comfort-focused, so the tight dealing with course marked out by cones was not the place the Sealion 5 felt essentially the most snug. It’s not that partaking and it’s a bit rolly-polly in fast, tight turns.
A lap across the experience and dealing with course reiterated the Sealion 5’s extra humble and comfort-focused pretentions, with its gentle experience and easy acceleration making it a comfortable cruiser and a comparatively impartial, if underwhelming steer.
Its tall physique and softly sprung chassis makes for some lean within the bends, whereas the smaller 18-inch wheels and chubby Hankook eco tyres aren’t actually conducive to partaking dealing with. Nonetheless, it’s correct, predictable, and can go well with the goal market.
The experience and dealing with monitor has some patchy surfaces and stuff like simulated prepare tracks and sine waves, which have been check of the experience. The Sealion 5’s softer tune remoted bumps comparatively effectively however conversely meant it felt a bit wallowy and free, notably over the sine waves at 120-130km/h.
I’d additionally notice the sound deadening isn’t all that nice over coarse street surfaces, with noticeable tyre and wind noise on the dealing with course. For a ‘low cost’ SUV that’s not a deal-breaker, however it’s worthy of a point out.
We didn’t get an opportunity to trial the help methods given the situations and time constraints, so we’ll have to attend for the BYD to formally launch earlier than we drive one in the actual world.
What do you get?
Two grades will likely be out there from launch, however we solely have preliminary particulars for the up-spec Premium.
2026 BYD Sealion 5 Premium gear highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 225/60 R18 Hankook tyres
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.8-inch touchscreen
- incl. DiLink good system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi Android Auto
- 9-speaker audio
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Energy entrance seats
- 1 x wi-fi telephone charger, entrance
- V2L performance
Is the BYD Sealion 5 protected?
The Sealion 5 hasn’t been crash examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP as but.
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Confirmed security options embrace:
- 7 airbags
- 360-degree cameras
- ‘Superior Driving Help System’
How a lot does the BYD Sealion 5 price to run?
The Sealion 5 must be lined by BYD Australia’s six-year, 150,000km new car guarantee and eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | BYD Sealion 5 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years or 150,000km – car 8 years or 160,000km – battery |
| Roadside help | 12 months then service activated |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
| Whole capped-price service price | TBC |
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Sealion 5
It’s a bit early to make a definitive name on the Sealion 5’s competitiveness in Australia’s largest new car phase, however ought to BYD be capable to deliver the Sealion 5 in for the value of an entry-level Japanese or Korean rival, it could possibly be an actual disruptor.
The gross sales figures and shopper analysis doesn’t lie. Now, greater than ever, Australian new automobile patrons are very open to attempting new powertrain applied sciences, in addition to new makes and fashions together with Chinese language challengers.
With value being such a crucial issue for Australians, a $35,000 place to begin for the Sealion 5 might make it unbelievable worth for cash, due to loads of usable EV vary in a car the scale and value of a base Outlander.
All will likely be confirmed close to pricing and specs within the coming months, however our first impressions are optimistic and the promise of a cut price will little question assist garner loads of curiosity.
In any case, that is the form of automobile that should simply work and be reasonably priced to run, so restricted razzle-dazzle is simply superb.
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