BYD Sealion 5 DM-i (2026) Review

Introduction

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you can’t fail to have noticed that Chinese brands are making major in-roads into the UK leasing scene, and few manufacturers have been as successful as BYD.

BYD’s sales in the UK have skyrocketed, with a 500% uptick in 2025 compared with 2024 and with the firm having now established itself as the world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles, overtaking Tesla.

While BYD bills itself as specialists in fully-electric cars, like the Tesla Model 3-rivalling BYD Seal and the bargain basement BYD Dolphin Surf, it has also embraced plug-in hybrid tech.

And this, the Sealion 5, is the latest PHEV to join the party, hot on the heels of the Seal 6, the plug-in hybrid Atto 2, and the Seal U (the latter of which is the best-selling PHEV in Britain).

The Sealion 5 is a mid-size SUV that’s aimed squarely at customers with families. It’s got similar proportions to leasing heavyweights like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and the MG HS.

But where the Sealion 5 is hoping to carve a niche for itself on school runs across the land is that it’s exclusively available as a plug-in hybrid and, with a cost that begins at just £29,995, it undercuts a slew of competitors on price.

In fact, the Sealion 5 is so temptingly priced that it competes with similarly sized internal combustion engine-powered SUVs.

Yet despite the relatively small outlay, you can still expect an abundance of creature comforts, with base models boasting 18-inch alloys, black vegan leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable seats, and a large 12.8-inch touchscreen.

An EV driving range of up to 53 miles on a single charge sweetens the deal, as it’s highly competitive for the class (without leading it).

Pros

• One of the cheapest plug-in hybrids in the UK
• Strong EV range of up to 53 miles (with the the top trim)
• Surprisingly sprightly ride quality

Cons

• 3.3 kW onboard charger is slower than key rivals
• 463-litre boot isn’t as large as some competitors
• Might lack a little wow factor, depending on your perspective!

What are the first impressions of the BYD Sealion 5?

First impressions of the Sealion 5 aren't particularly overwhelming but it’s an SUV with an understated and inoffensive exterior design.

There’s a large grille at the front that’s flanked by scooped side air intakes while a wrinkle that runs along the length of the SUV gives it a degree of dynamism.

You get an eye-catching, dimpled plastic panel on the D-pillar (the bit that hugs the rear-most windows) as well as a pronounced rear spoiler for a bit of added sportiness.

As a car that’s going to have to contend with the cut and thrust of busy family life, the Sealion 5 is also pleasingly robust, coming with scuff-resistant black plastic wheel arch mouldings and a chunky bumper at the back.

All in all, it’s a look that’s not dissimilar to the MG HS (one of the cars the Sealion 5 will do battle with) and while it doesn’t re-write the rulebook for design, it’s not unpleasant to look at.

It’s a similar story in the cabin. Think modern horizontal lines, tactile artificial leather upholstery, a steering wheel that nestles firmly in the hands, and an uncluttered centre console that houses a neat drive shifter and stylish stop-start button.

Bottom line? The experience inside the Sealion 5 belies the low asking price.

What are the key features of the BYD Sealion 5?

One of the BYD Sealion 5’s key features is, of course, its plug-in hybrid powertrain (which we’ll discuss in detail below).

It’s a rare highlight at this price point and you get a range of either 38 miles or 53 miles, depending on the trim, using nothing but electricity.

Besides the system that propels it, the BYD Sealion also impresses with the level of equipment that’s fitted as standard.

There are two trims to choose from; entry-level Comfort and range-topping Design.

The Comfort trim comes with 18-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and electrically adjustable seats.

You can also expect a large 12.8-inch touchscreen as well as an 8.8 driver display that lives behind the steering wheel.

That infotainment system includes smartphone mirroring with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as 4G connectivity, and you can control it via the ‘Hi BYD’ intelligent voice control interface.

Plush black vegan leather is a given, including for the steering wheel.

You need to move up to the Design grade to unlock heated seats, and here you also enjoy an electric tailgate, front parking sensors, wireless smartphone charging, and a 360-degree camera.

What is the EV range/battery of the BYD Sealion 5?

While the power output is consistent across both trim levels (at 212 PS) there’s an important difference between the two grades when it comes to battery size.

The Comfort trim gets a 12.96 kWh unit and an EV driving range of up to 38 miles. That already fares well against competitors like the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson and you might not feel the need to jump to the bigger battery.

Speaking of which, that larger 18.3 kWh unit is fitted on Design models and ups the EV driving range to 53 miles.

Interestingly, it’s the bottom-run Comfort model that’s quicker off the mark, able to sprint from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds (compared with 8.1 seconds for the Design Sealion 5).

It feels that little bit faster, too, as it uses its lighter battery to its advantage.

Both trims are supported by a traditional 1.5-litre petrol engine.

What’s the performance & drive like with the BYD Sealion 5?

The Sealion 5’s plug-in hybrid system uses electricity as the primary source of propulsion, with the petrol engine acting as a secondary drive that ‘supports’ the vehicle.

All of that means the Sealion 5 drives a bit like an EV - it’s smooth, serene, quiet and relatively quick for the class.

Put your foot down, though, and the petrol engine will eventually roar into life while providing an additional kick of oomph.

Whichever way you look at it, the Sealion 5 won’t knock your socks off when it comes to pace. But it’s not a car that’s been built to stir the senses anyway - it’s here to get you from A to B with minimum fuss and maximum comfort.

Having said all of that, though, there’s a fairly firm, sporty ride quality that makes the Sealion 5 a bit of a riot to chuck through tight bends, as we discovered on our scenic test route that wound its way up to picturesque Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales.

It’s certainly more engaging than some of the much more wallowy family SUVs we’ve tested, and while not nearly a speed merchant, it’s engaging enough.

We tested the car in both Comfort and Design trim, and therefore with the smaller and the larger ‘Blade’ battery.

The Comfort car felt quicker off the mark while Design trim offered more in the way of EV driving before the gauge ran to 0% and we had to resort to petrol power.

If you’re not willing to stump up for the pricier Design grade, is the base Comfort trim worth it? 

It’s a big yes for us. The difference in performance between the two is slight enough for it not to be an issue and if you can live without heated seats, the Comfort car is still a very sensible choice.

What fast does the BYD Sealion 5 charge?

It’s here where we need to address a small elephant in the room.

The BYD Sealion 5 is fitted with a 3.3 kW onboard charger for AC replenishes. When charging at home, a full charge will take between 5-6 hours, depending on which model you choose to lease.

That charging speed isn’t scintillating and lags behind some key competitors, with both the Kia Sportage PHEV and Hyundai Tucson PHEV getting a 7.2 kW onboard charger for much quicker charging times.

Still, it’s about on a par with the MG HS plug-in hybrid, which is arguably the more important comparison thanks to the closer pricing.

And because the BYD Sealion 5 can put charge back into the battery via regenerative braking and through the engine itself, it’s a small detail that might not be too much of a deterrent for you.

What are the running Costs & emissions for the BYD Sealion 5?

Because the Sealion 5 is a plug-in hybrid, running costs should be extremely wallet friendly.

BYD quotes a figure of 104.6 mpg for the Comfort trim and a whopping 134.5 mpg for the Design car with the bigger battery.

You’re unlikely to see such figures in real-life driving scenarios but you can budget for efficiency of around 60 mpg - slightly less if you’re using it for big motorway runs.

With CO2 emissions listed at 62 g/km for the Comfort car and 48 g/km for the Design, your first year VED will be either £130 or £110, respectively, and there’s no expensive car supplement to worry about.

Charge from home on a low off-peak tariff and make the most of that EV range, and you should be quids in.

What’s the interior & technology like with the BYD Sealion 5?

BYD typically does a stellar job with its interiors, offering a cabin that’s both modern and inviting while also crisp and minimalist, and the Sealion 5 is no exception.

It’s not as plush as models higher up the BYD hierarchy and there’s no tactile crystal gear knob like you get with the BYD Seal U DM-i.

But it’s a similar set up to what you get with the similarly-affordable BYD Seal 6 (Saloon and Touring estate) and you’ll find little to complain about.

The surfboard-style upper contour catches the eye while the seats feel both plush and supportive for both your back and posterior. All models offer electrically-adjustable seats, too.

The small, iPhone-sized screen behind the steering wheel is crisp and clear and shows you precisely how much EV range is left in the tank. The main 12.8-inch touchscreen isn’t the most intuitive or responsive available, but it offers a fairly seamless experience and our Android Auto connected with zero hassle.

All in all, the cabin of the Sealion 5 is a place you’d be happy to spend a good few hours. Tactile soft plastics dominate and while it might lack the ‘Wow!’ factor of BYD cars higher up the food chain, it’s more than good enough at this price.

Is the BYD Sealion 5 a practical car and how big is the boot?

The BYD Sealion 5 comes with a boot that measures 463 litres and which expands to 1,410 litres with rear seats folded flat.

That luggage space lags behind some competitors, with the plug-in hybrid variants of the MG HS, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson all getting more in the way of load lugging ability.

Still, that slightly less capacious boot translates to more space in the back for rear passengers, and the Sealion 5 will happily accommodate five adult passengers.

We tested the rear legroom with the driver and passenger seat in their adult position, and you really can fit three fully-grown people back there.

If passenger room is a priority, the BYD gets a big tick.

All versions of the Sealion 5 also come with practicality-boosting Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech, which lets you harness power from the battery and channel it into external appliances, like your portable coffee machine… or lawnmower (as BYD tells us).

How safe is the BYD Sealion 5?

The BYD Sealion 5 hasn’t been put through its paces by Euro NCAP (the industry safety assessors) just yet but there’s nothing to say it wouldn’t do well.

The BYD Seal 6 (another affordable plug-in hybrid from BYD that utilises the same sorts of tech) achieved the full five stars and scored an extremely respectable 92% for adult occupant safety and 90% for child occupant safety.

The Sealion 5 also comes with a raft of safety features fitted as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, rear collision warning, lane departure warning, emergency lane keep assist, intelligent speed limit control, and blind spot detection.

What are your options with the BYD Sealion 5?

Besides the trim levels, which we’ve already explored above, there’s not a huge list of options when it comes to the BYD Sealion 5.

Your no-cost paint is Atlantis Blue, while Obsidian Black, Time Grey and Polar White will add a few extra quid to your monthly lease fee.

What are the rival cars to the BYD Sealion 5?

There’s no shortage of rivals when it comes to the Sealion 5; the family SUV segment is a crowded one and the BYD has its work cut out if it wants to stand out from rivals.

The obvious choices are some of the most popular SUVs in the UK, full stop. They include plug-in hybrid variants of the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and the MG HS as well as the hybrid version of the long-running Nissan Qashqai.

The MG HS perhaps stands out as the most obvious alternative. It’s similarly priced to the BYD Sealion 5 and its range of up to 75 miles in EV modes sends it right to the top of the class.

And then there are leasing alternatives that you might not have considered.

The Jaecoo 7 is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and gets a range of up to 56 miles in EV mode while the Chery Tiggo 7 is another Chinese newcomer that’s almost identical in price to the BYD Sealion 5 and which can travel up to 56 miles using nothing but electricity.

We’re also due to get a new plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 soon, too, which should also be on your shortlist.

BYD Sealion 5 - Verdict & Next Steps

The accomplished BYD Sealion 5 is an impressive bit of kit and you can fully-understand why the Chinese brand is forecasting it to be a sales success.

The exterior design won’t win any prizes for originality and there are mid-size SUVs available with more futuristic styling.

But as a do-it-all tool for everyday family life, the BYD Sealion 5 is really tough to fault. You get plug-in hybrid tech for the price of a typical petrol SUV, there’s a ton of equipment fitted as standard, you get acres of room in the back for both kids and adults, and the Sealion 5 also has the power to surprise when it comes to driver enjoyment.

If you want heated seats, an electric tailgate and a longer EV range, you’ll have to go for the Design grade. If you can live without a warm bum and want a car that’s quicker off the mark, the Comfort trim is yours.

Either way, the interiors are pretty much identical.

Where to next?

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