Confirmed: BYD Sealion 5 is Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid SUV, undercutting Chery Tiggo 7 and Geely Starray EM-i
BYD has undercut its key rivals in the growing plug-in hybrid SUV segment, confirming the new Sealion 5 will arrive as Australia’s cheapest PHEV.
Priced from $33,990 before on-road costs, the BYD Sealion 5 now sits below competitors including the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid ($39,990 drive-away) and Geely Starray EM-i ($37,490 plus on-road costs), reinforcing BYD’s aggressive push on electrified vehicle affordability.
The Sealion 5 is BYD’s most affordable plug-in hybrid model to date in Australia, undercutting the Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990 plus on-road costs.
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BYD says the Sealion 5 will have an important role to play in its expanding fleet sales ambitions, as well as appealing to budget conscious private buyers.
Two variants will be offered locally – Essential and Premium – priced at $33,990 and $37,990 respectively, both powered by BYD’s DM-i 4.0 (Dual-Mode Intelligent) plug-in hybrid system.
Both Sealion 5s are five-seat, five-door wagons that measure in at 4738mm long with a 2712mm wheelbase.That’s only 37mm shorter than the Sealion 6. .
Where the two Sealion 5 models differ is in their fourth generation powertrains. The Essential gets a 12.9kWh battery pack and the Premium gets 18.3kWh (both LFP).
When combined with the front-mounted 1.5-litre petrol engine and e-motor (156kW combined), that equates to a 71km range for the Essential and 100km for the Premium (measured from 100 per cent battery to 25 per cent when the engine will kick in), based on the looser NEDC test regime.
With a 52-litre petrol tank, the claimed combined range is beyond 1000km for the Premium. Highly theoretical claimed fuel consumption is 1.3L/100km for the Premium and 1.2L/100km for the Essential.
Standard shared equipment includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch (Essential) or 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and V2L external charging.
Features confirmed for the Premium include a comprehensive 360-degree camera with transparent view, nine-speaker audio, power adjustable front seats and a wireless phone charger.
Safety equipment includes seven airbags and the usual swag of BYD driver assist systems such as autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic brake, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and blind-spot warning. There are front and rear parking sensors.
The arrival of the Sealion 5 further expands BYD’s local electrified range, which already includes battery-electric models such as the Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal.
Newer additions the Atto 1 small car and Atto 2 compact SUV have set new price benchmarks for pure EVs in Australia.
BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins said the Sealion 5 was intended to broaden access to electrified vehicles.
“Australians want real choice when it comes to electric mobility solutions, and the Sealion 5 offers that at a price point that will appeal to Australian families,” Collins said.
Orders for the BYD Sealion 5 are now open, with first deliveries expected to follow shortly.
