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Review
2026 BYD Sealion 5: price, specs, range & release date in Australia
RACV
December 16, 2025
The new 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is the cheapest plug-in hybrid in Australia, providing an affordable PHEV option in the top-selling medium SUV segment. Here’s everything you need to know.
BYD’s rapid expansion and its march towards the top of the Australian new vehicle sales charts will be bolstered by the arrival early next year of the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 medium SUV – now confirmed as the cheapest plug-in hybrid car on the market.
Launching alongside the all-new BYD Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid family SUV, the Sealion 5 is one of four new models from the fast-growing Chinese brand, which is also preparing to set sail with its premium Denza brand. The other two are price-leading EVs that are also now on sale: the BYD Atto 1 compact hatch, which is Australia’s cheapest electric car, and the BYD Atto 2 small SUV.
The Sealion 5 will take its place alongside the similarly sized BYD Sealion 6 PHEV and take full advantage of booming hybrid car sales in Australia, where other models like the BYD Shark 6 PHEV dual-cab ute are building a strong presence.
BYD Atto 1 and BYD Atto 2 pricing | 🔎 RACV car reviews video
When does the BYD Sealion 5 go on sale in Australia?
The order book is now open for the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 ahead of the medium SUV’s launch early in 2026. First deliveries in Australia will take place around the same time as the larger three-row BYD Sealion 8 family SUV.
Starting at just $33,990 plus on-road costs, the 2026 BYD Sealion 5 mid-size SUV is Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid car and considerably cheaper than the slightly larger BYD Sealion 6 PHEV, which is also classed as a medium SUV but opens at $42,990 plus on-road costs. The slightly smaller BYD Atto 3 EV is also in the same segment, providing an all-electric option from $39,990 plus ORCs.
Two model variants are available in the Sealion 5 range – the entry-level Sealion 5 Essential, which at $33,990 plus ORCs translates to a drive-away price for Victorian private buyers of $36,291.70, while the Sealion 5 Premium has bigger battery (and longer range), starting at $37,990 plus ORCs ($40,459.70 drive-away).
Importantly, a sub-$40,000 starting point for the Sealion 5 will also see buyers compare it alongside the best-selling – and far more expensive – non-plug-in hybrid contenders in class, led by the soon-to-be-renewed Toyota RAV4 (from $47,041 d/a), Hyundai Tucson (from $47,240 d/a) and Kia Sportage (from $51,453 d/a). The incoming Toyota RAV4 PHEV starts from $58,840 plus ORCs.
The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 medium SUV has LED lights front and rear and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.
BYD Sealion 5 design and specification
The 2026 Sealion 5 is slightly smaller than the Sealion 6, however both are five-seater models and fit comfortably in the medium SUV segment. The Sealion 5 measures 4738mm long, 1860mm wide and 1710mm high, with a 2712mm wheelbase.
Those dimensions place the Sealion 5 as a slightly bigger vehicle all-round than the current top-selling Toyota RAV4 but a little more compact than the Sealion 6 – including 37mm shorter in overall length and 53mm less in wheelbase.
Slimline LED headlights and tail-lights (including a full-width rear light bar) provide a sharp focus to each end of the Sealion 5 SUV, which adopts quite an aggressive stance up front with a bold grille and bumper design.
BYD’s designers have also carved out strong lines and prominent creases in the metalwork on the bonnet, along the flanks and around the tailgate. They’ve also created a ‘floating’ roof effect and accentuated the curved roofline with black trim around the windows and an aluminium insert at the rear pillar.
The exterior colour palette includes the no-cost Aurora White and optional ($600) Atlantis Grey, Harbour Grey and Cosmos Black.
As with the Sealion 6, the Sealion 5’s suspension design comprises MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link configuration at the rear. Both models have front and rear disc brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/60R18 Hankook tyres.
The maximum braked towing capacity is limited to 750kg. Cargo capacity is 463 litres with the 60/40-split folding rear seats in the upright position, extending to 1410L when lowered.
The Sealion 5 carries BYD Australia’s six-year/150,000km factory warranty, extending to eight years/160,000km for the high-voltage battery.
2026 BYD Sealion 5 equipment levels
Sealion 5 Essential standard features:
10.1-inch touchscreen
8.8-inch digital instrument panel
6-speaker audio system
AM/FM and DAB digital radio
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Satellite navigation
Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
Synthetic leather upholstery
6-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
4-way manual front passenger seat adjust
Rearview camera
Rear parking sensors
Auto up/down electric windows (anti-trap function for driver)
Sealion 5 Premium adds:
Bigger 12.8-inch touchscreen
Premium 9-speaker audio system
Wireless phone charging pad
Driver’s seat power adjustment, heating and ventilation
Front passenger seat power adjustment
360-degree surround-view camera
Front parking sensors
Panoramic sunroof
Electric tailgate
Electric exterior mirrors with heating and auto-fold
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Auto up/down electric windows (anti-trap function all four doors)
Higher-grade front seats and a 12.8-inch centre touchscreen feature on the BYD Sealion 5 Premium.
What powers the BYD Sealion 5?
The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is powered by the Chinese carmaker’s Super Hybrid DM-i system that combines an electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a ‘Blade’ battery – as already found in the Sealion 6. But there are some key differences between the two SUVs.
In Australia, the Sealion 5 uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder that develops 72kW of power and 122Nm of torque. The single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor produces a healthy 145kW and 300Nm. Combined power output is 156kW.
The powertrain drives the front wheels via BYD’s ‘DHT30’ hybrid transmission and draws energy from a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s offered in two capacities – 12.9kWh and 18.3kWh.
The battery capacity is a crucial point of difference from the entry-level Sealion 6 currently available in Australia, which has a similar powertrain configuration but offers either an 18.3kWh battery capacity or a larger 26.6kWh option. (Sealion 6 also has a turbo-petrol/dual-motor AWD configuration with an 18.3kWh or 26.6kWh battery.)
With the 18.3kWh battery, the Sealion 5 has a claimed 100km EV-only range and official combined-cycle fuel economy of 4.6L/100km (when the battery state of charge is below 25%), allowing BYD to promote a theoretical driving range of up to 1030km on a single 52-litre tank of fuel. These figures are based on the lenient NEDC standard.
The 12.9kWh battery has a significantly lower 71km EV range (NEDC) – which is closer to 50km in real-world driving conditions – but otherwise the performance is comparable to the 18.3kWh version, with a claimed 1001km range and 4.5L/100km economy (NEDC).
According to the manufacturer, acceleration from 0-100km/h with the smaller battery is 7.7 seconds, while the 18.3kWh Sealion 5 is four-tenths slower at 8.1sec, reflecting its 1785kg kerb weight (+61kg).
Battery charging times are still to be confirmed, but the Sealion 5 will only accept AC charging up to 3.3kW (not DC, as found at EV public fast-charge stations).
High-tech interior in BYD Sealion 5, despite the budget price tag.
Wireless phone charging pad features on BYD Sealion 5 Premium.
Centre console design in Sealion 5 is similar to other BYD PHEVs.
The BYD Sealion 5 boot can hold 463 litres with the rear seats upright.
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What safety and technology features on BYD Sealion 5?
The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 has a comparable level of safety features to the Sealion 6 and lots of technology to appeal to buyers. The Chinese carmaker has undertaken local testing in Australia that will hopefully translate to well-calibrated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the new SUV.
Standard ADAS includes adaptive cruise control, various lane keeping aids, blind spot detection, driver attention monitoring, front/rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking. Seven airbags are included, along with ISOFIX child restraint points for outboard rear seats, tyre pressure monitoring and rearview camera support – surround-view on the top-spec Sealion 5 Premium.
The tech centrepiece is a 12.8-inch touchscreen on the Sealion 5 Premium, but this scales back to a 10.1-inch screen on the entry-level Essential. Both grades offer FM and DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth and audio streaming, voice control and 4G cloud services.
An 8.8-inch digital instrument panel is also provided for the driver, while USB-A and USB-C ports are found in both the front and rear seat compartments. Wireless phone charging (15W) is available on the Premium, but not Essential.
Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability is also built into the Sealion 5, enabling occupants to run electrical appliances using the SUV’s high-voltage battery.
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What cars, SUVs and utes does BYD sell in Australia?
The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 will bring the number of models in the BYD stable to 10, all with either a battery-electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain.
Here is the full line-up out to early 2026, when the four latest models will all be available:
BYD Atto 1compact hatch (BEV) – first deliveries early 2026
Not stopping there, BYD has also just launched its premium Denza brand, opening with two large family off-road SUVs. These are the:
Denza B5 large five-seat SUV (PHEV) – first deliveries early 2026
Denza B8 large seven-seat SUV (PHEV) – first deliveries early 2026
There will be more to come, with BYD promising “Denza will offer a whole new range for consumers wanting a slice of luxury and the latest in innovation”.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
