BYD Sealion 5 DM-i PHEV gets 631-mile range and sub-£30k pricetag
BYD has confirmed that its Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid will be priced from £29,995 when it goes on sale on February 7.
The mid-sized SUV is aimed squarely at the likes of the Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Nissan Qashqai. Upon its UK arrival, the Chinese automotive giant predicts that it will become one of its top-selling models.
Under the skin, the BYD Sealion DM-i is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an e-motor producing a combined 209bhp. The entry-level Comfort trim comes with a 12.96kWh battery returning a 38-mile electric-only range and a 104.6mpg fuel economy.
Step up to the top-tier, £32,995 Design trim, and the battery size increases to 18.3kWh, which improves the range and fuel efficiency to 53 miles and 134.5mpg respectively.
However, the larger battery means the Design’s 0-62mph time is 8.1 seconds, while lower-spec cars manage the sprint in 7.7 seconds.
Like all BYDs, the Sealion 5 DM-i is generously equipped. All models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, and a rear-view camera. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in vegan “leather”, while the driver and passenger seats are four-way electrically adjustable.
A 12.8-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of the dashboard, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Design spec adds an electric tailgate, 360-degree cameras, wireless smartphone charging, and heated front seats. When it comes to options, BYD offers Atlantis Blue paint as standard, while Obsidian black, Time Grey, and Polar White are £850 each.
The Sealion 5 DM-i is BYD’s ninth model to be sold in the UK, and it will sit above the B-segment Atto 2 DM-i Super Hybrid, but beneath the Seal U DM-i.
At the end of 2025, BYD opened its 125th dealership in the UK. By the end of this year, it aims to introduce an additional six models, along with its premium Denza brand.
