BYDSealion 5 DM-i
- Fuel
- Plug-in hybrid1.5 petrol plug-in hybrid
- Range
- 53 mi electric · 631 mi total
- Battery
- 18.3 kWh
- Power
- 209 hpFWD
- 0–62 mph
- 7.7 s
- Seats · boot
- 5 seats · 463 L
- Warranty
- 6 years / 93,750 miles
Overview
The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i (from £29,995) is a plug-in hybrid SUV from BYD. It offers a claimed range of 53 mi electric · 631 mi total, 209 hp and 0–62 mph in 7.7 s.
The Sealion 5 DM-i is BYD’s most affordable plug-in hybrid SUV, slotting in below the Seal U DM-i at a price that rivals petrol and conventional hybrid family SUVs. It comes in two trims: Comfort from £29,995 and Design from £32,995. The boxy, upright body is 4,738 mm long, so it is larger than most rivals at this money.
Battery, range and charging
Comfort has a 12.96 kWh Blade battery giving about 38 miles of electric range; Design has an 18.3 kWh pack and up to 53 miles. With a full tank, BYD quotes combined range of up to 631 miles (616 for Comfort), and official economy is about 53 mpg once the battery runs down. Charging is the weak point: there is no DC rapid charging and AC charging tops out at 3.3 kW, so a full charge takes up to six hours.
Performance and driving
Both trims use a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor driving the front wheels, producing 209 bhp and 300 Nm. 0–62 mph takes 7.7 seconds in the Comfort and 8.1 seconds in the heavier Design, and top speed is 106 mph. Testers praise its refinement and comfort at speed but find the steering vague and the low-speed ride firm.
Interior and space
The 463-litre boot extends to 1,410 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded, over a flat floor. Seats are trimmed in vegan leather, with a heated six-way electric driver’s seat and four-way electric passenger seat.
Technology and safety
A 12.8-inch touchscreen and 8.8-inch driver display are standard, along with keyless entry and adaptive cruise control. The driver-assistance suite includes lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, speed limit control and forward and rear collision warning. Design adds a 360° camera, heated front seats, an electric tailgate and wireless phone charging.
Who is it for?
Families who want a roomy SUV with low running costs and can charge at home overnight. It undercuts the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai e-Power and MG HS Hybrid+, but drivers who value handling may prefer the Ford Kuga.
Trims and UK prices
Source: byd.com/uk configurator (Oct 2026)- Vegan leather
- 12.8" touchscreen and 8.8" driver display
- Adaptive cruise control
- Keyless entry
- 360° camera
- Heated front seats
- Electric tailgate
- Wireless charging
Gallery
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i: FAQ
How far can the Sealion 5 DM-i go on electricity?
About 38 miles in the Comfort (12.96 kWh battery) and up to 53 miles in the Design (18.3 kWh battery).
Can the Sealion 5 DM-i use rapid chargers?
No. It only charges on AC at up to 3.3 kW, so a full charge can take up to six hours. It is best suited to owners who can charge at home.
How much does the Sealion 5 DM-i cost?
From £29,995 for Comfort and £32,995 for Design.
How big is the boot?
463 litres, rising to 1,410 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded.
What warranty does the Sealion 5 have?
Six years or 93,750 miles, with the high-voltage battery covered for eight years.
