The BYD Sealion 5 mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV has been locked in for Australia as one of four new models from the Chinese brand, with a local arrive scheduled for early 2026.
At 4735mm, the Sealion 5 is slightly longer than the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail, and also edges out the Mitsubishi Outlander by 25mm.
When it arrives next year alongside the larger Sealion 8 PHEV SUV, BYD’s ‘Sealion’ SUV range will become a family of four joining the similarly-sized Sealion 6 PHEV and Tesla Model Y-rivalling Sealion 7 mid-size electric SUV.
Like the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, the Sealion 5 will be strictly a five-seater, with the Sealion 8 to become the brand’s first seven-seater model in Australia.
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Key rivals will include the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV, as well as its Sealion 6 stablemate and fellow Chinese PHEV SUVs like the Geely Starray EM-i and Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid.
Toyota has also confirmed it will introduce a PHEV version of the next-generation RAV4 in 2026, finally giving its best-selling SUV a plug-in option in Australia. The new RAV4 PHEV is, however, expected to be accompanied by price rises across the lineup of up to $6000 – meaning it could be positioned as a more premium option relative to the BYD.
In China, where it’s sold as the Song Pro, the BYD Sealion 5 is priced from ¥102,800 ($A21,812), but it will be more expensive in Australia, although BYD is yet to confirm details.
It’s powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, matched with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an electric motor, producing a combined 173kW of power and a claimed 0-100km acceleration time of 8.3 seconds.
Two battery sizes are offered in China: a 12.9kWh unit offering up to 61km (WLTP) of electric driving range, and an 18.3kWh version stretching this to 94km, both offering claimed fuel consumption of 1.4L/100km.
The Sealion 5 has independent front and rear suspension, with entry-level versions fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED ‘dragon’ headlights and an integrated roof rack.
Cargo capacity is 407 litres behind the second-row seats, expanding to 1430L with them folded. An electric tailgate and power-adjustable driver’s seat will be standard across the range.
Also standard across the range will be a 12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen (15.6-inch for the top model grade, which will also add a wireless phone charger) with voice control, satellite navigation and smartphone connectivity.
There’s also a substantial list of advanced driver assistance systems listed for overseas models, operated by 12 cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors.
The safety suite includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, rear-cross traffic alert, door opening warning and lane departure assist.
BYD’s ‘DiPilot Assisted Driving’ system includes ‘Get off the bus as park’ modes, which may not be available in Australian models.
BYD will also launch its premium sub-brand Denza in Australia next month.
Its first two models have been confirmed as a pair of large off-road SUVs, with the Ford Everest-rivalling Denza B5 employing the same ladder-frame platform and PHEV powertrain as the BYD Shark 6 dual-cab ute.
The larger Denza B8, meantime, will be aimed directly at the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.
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