The new Sealion 5 is a tech-focused, plug-in hybrid SUV aggressively priced and aimed straight at younger family buyers
BYD’s rise in South Africa can’t be missed. The brand is now on a growth trajectory that seemed sluggish at first, but is clearly moving at a considerably higher pace. As part of that acceleration, the dominant NEV manufacturer has officially launched the BYD Sealion 5, their third new product launch this year. The BYD Sealion is a compact plug-in hybrid SUV, designed to make electric-first driving more accessible to South African families, and with launch pricing starting at R499 900, the Sealion 5 immediately positions itself as yet another disruptive new product in the segment.
So it’s basically an electric car then? Like the Shark 6?
Not quite. It’s a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre, petrol engine mated to an electric motor fed by a 12.96kWh battery pack. The system favours electric drive over the petrol engine but it’s a continuous process of energy management. Sometimes it uses the engine to drive the wheels and charge the batteries, sometimes it calls on both motors to drive the wheels and oftentimes, it drive the wheels using only electricity. What that means is decent power immediacy for a 156kW engine as well as claimed range close to 1 000km. After a brief driving stint in the car, we can guess that that claim is likely, given this new age of efficient hybrid powertrains.
Any other engine options?
Nope. The same powertrain is offered between two derivatives. The Sealion 5 Comfort offered at that R499 900 price and then the Sealion 5 Dynamic offered at R569 900. Both of these use BYD’s DM-i (Dual-Mode Intelligent) plug-in hybrid system but they’re differentiated by spec and tech. The Dynamic flagship offers increased creature comforts such as panoramic roof, 360-view camera, heated and ventilated seats and electric folding mirrors, a 15W wireless charger and roof rails in a matte finish. That’s it. There is a lot that the Sealion 5 offers as standard kit. There’s a 12.8-inch infotainment screen usable through intelligent voice control, keyless entry, four USB-A and USB-C ports, and a smartphone app that integrates remote vehicle functions too. CarPlay and Android Auto go without saying and thoroughly impressive is a full suite of ADAS systems on both derivatives. But there’s more….
Both models feature a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adaptor that turns the car into a mobile power source. Beyond this, BYD is really turning the screws on making it as easy as possible to get into the Sealion 5. The price is certainly a highlight but they’ve also announced a partnership with Absa Vehicle & Asset Finance where they’ve tailored a finance package that puts you into the seat of a Sealion 5 for R7000 per month. The offer does not include a balloon payment and should you wish, allows for variable payments that start off easy and gradually increase as the terms goes on. It’s not a new finance package but it does make this particular launch offer quite palatable.
The full offer includes:
- 5-year/100 000 km warranty
- 8-year/200 000 km battery warranty
- Service plan included
- V2L adapter + home wallbox all included.
Sounds all fine but what about practicality and space in the Sealion 5?
That’s probably its biggest coup. The Sealion 5 is a mid-sized SUV though when you step inside, there’s a considerable amount of usable space. The front pews offer decent room all round but it is even more impressive in the rear quarters. When you consider its boot space of 460-litres, there’s a sense that this design team, even with the packaging challenge of batteries and an e-motor, has gone some way in providing excellent space. The car is void of a spare tyre though, something to bear in mind but you can’t argue its luggage and practicality credentials. The family car argument is loud here. To sum it all up, BYD SA MD Steve Chang puts it like this. “We’re not just launching a new car; we’re redefining value in the SUV market,” and judging by the Sealion 5’s spec sheet, ecosystem strategy and price point, I don’t think that is just marketing bluster.
Lovely. Is this a brand to trust though?
Globally, BYD is a juggernaut: active in over 100 countries, more than 969 000 employees, creator of the famous Blade Battery, and recently celebrating its 14-millionth EV delivery — handed directly to the President of Brazil. That global footprint is mirrored by the brand’s rapid South African expansion. In just three months, the local BYD office has grown from literally a 3-person compliment of staff to 50 employees, with 18 dealerships already operating and an ambitious target of 35 by the end of 2026. By market cap alone, BYD is the 7th largest automotive outfit in the world. Just its R&D department is over 110 000 people and as you’ve probably seen, its various brands are the subject of global headlines. One of the highlights of 2025, is the Yangwang U9 Ultimate, one of BYD’s performance brands, that set the fastest production speed record of 496.6km/h.
Locally, BYD is also deepening its partnership with Eskom with BYD’s Nomonde Kweyi confirming plans for 200–300 public charging stations and a broader ambition to “lead the entire charging system” in South Africa. This will include 1MW charging stations that would be able to charge certain cars in as little as 5-minutes. We’ve seen these charging stations at work. It’s a real thing. Whether we can see this ambition come to fruition here at home is another thing altogether but the commitment is there and the announcement has been made. Let’s keep watching this space. To answer the question – it’s certainly a brand to take seriously.
