2026 BYD Sealion 5 price and specs

BYD has filled an almost invisible gap in its lineup, and launched Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in the process.

The BYD Sealion 5 mid-size SUV is the Chinese brand’s new entry-level PHEV in Australia, being only fractionally smaller than the Sealion 6 but a whopping $9000 cheaper at base level.

It’s priced from $33,990 before on-road costs, undercutting the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid ($39,990 drive-away) and Geely Starray EM-i Complete ($37,490 before on-roads), and therefore becoming Australia’s cheapest PHEV.

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It’s available to order now, ahead of customer deliveries in the first quarter (January to March) of 2026.

The Sealion 5 is part of a deluge of new BYDs arriving in Australia, which also includes a pair of electric vehicles (EVs) – the Atto 1 light hatch and Atto 2 small SUV – and the large, plug-in hybrid Sealion 8 three-row crossover SUV.

Unlike those other models, however, the Sealion 5 is based on a vehicle several years old. The Song Pro entered production in 2019, though it has received updates since then to become what we’re now getting as the Sealion 5.

Pricing

Drivetrains and Efficiency

The Sealion 5 uses BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid hardware: a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed reduction gearbox. BYD’s Blade Battery sits under the floor.

The two model grades share the same engine and electric motor motor, but use different-size batteries.

Dimensions

On paper the Sealion 5 is right in the heart of the mid-size SUV segment, similar in length to a Mitsubishi Outlander but with only two rows of seats and a boot that’s competitive with other five-seat family SUVs.

It’s just 37mm shorter and 30mm narrower than BYD’s other mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV, the Sealion 6.

Servicing and Warranty

BYD Australia is yet to detail service intervals and capped-price servicing details for the Sealion 5, though other BYD models (including the Sealion 6) have 12-month/20,000km intervals and capped-price programs.

Like other BYD passenger models sold here, the Sealion 5 will be covered by:

• Six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty
• Eight-year/160,000km battery warranty
• Eight-year/150,000km drive unit warranty (electric motor and related components)

Roadside assistance is provided initially and can then be extended when you service the vehicle within BYD’s dealer network.

Safety

The BYD Sealion 5 has not yet been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Standard safety tech includes:

• Seven airbags (front, front-side, curtain and front-centre)
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Intelligent speed limiter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

The Premium adds front parking sensors and a surround-view camera.

Standard Equipment

There are two members of the Sealion 5 lineup.

Specification highlights for the Essential include:

• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• 18-inch alloy wheels in Hankook 225/60 R18 tyres
• Keyless entry and start with key fob, NFC card, BYD digital key
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• 6-speaker sound system
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
• Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
• Leatherette upholstery
• 60:40 split/fold rear seats
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders

The Premium adds:

• Power tailgate
• Roof rails
• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Heated and ventilated driver’s seat
• 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 9-speaker sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Colours

A black interior is the only option.

Aurora White is the standard exterior paint finish, with the following colours available for an extra $600:

• Atlantis Grey
• Harbour Grey
• Cosmos Black

Opting for Cosmos Black adds black-finish alloy wheels.

MORE: Explore the BYD showroom