BYD Sealion 5 DM-i First Impressions Review

BYD’s rapid UK rollout continues with the arrival of the typically strangely named Sealion 5 DM-i (where do they get these names?). The Sealion 5 is a new mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV priced from £29,995 on the road. That headline figure places it directly in the firing line of established family favourites such as the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.

It is BYD’s ninth model for the UK market and forms part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer high-efficiency electrified cars at mainstream prices, rather than treating plug-in hybrid technology as a premium upsell; let’s see if it works.

UK and Ireland Country Manager Bono Ge, launches BYD’s 9th UK vehicle - the Sealion 5

Familiar SUV proportions, generous space

The Sealion 5 sits squarely in the heart of the mid-size SUV class. At just under 4.75 metres long, it’s slightly larger than a Sportage and offers a practical, family-friendly layout with seating for five and a 463-litre boot. Fold the rear seats and there’s enough space for bulky loads, bikes or flat-pack furniture.

Design is clean rather than showy, with sharp LED lighting, a broad stance and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Inside, BYD has focused on perceived quality. Vegan leather upholstery comes as standard, alongside soft-touch materials and a modern dashboard layout dominated by a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital driver display.

The smart styling is perhaps a tiny bit generic but, in reality, there are very few bold designs in this segment of the market at the moment.

The new BYD Sealion 5 DM-i

Strong standard equipment

Even the entry-level Comfort trim is well equipped, featuring electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, automatic LED headlights and full smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. BYD’s voice control system is also standard, allowing drivers to adjust climate settings and navigation using spoken commands.

Step up to the Design trim and the Sealion 5 gains an electric tailgate, heated front seats, a 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors and wireless phone charging — features often reserved for higher trims on rival models.

DM-i hybrid powertrain

Under the bonnet is BYD’s DM-i Super Hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of around 212PS. In everyday driving the Sealion 5 behaves much like an electric car at low speeds, using the petrol engine mainly as support when higher speeds or sustained power are required.

Two battery sizes are offered. The Comfort model uses a 12.96kWh battery, delivering up to 38 miles of electric-only range, while the Design version upgrades to an 18.3kWh battery capable of up to 53 miles on electricity alone. For many UK drivers, that’s enough to complete the daily commute without using petrol at all.

Performance is respectable rather than sporty, with a 0–62mph time of 7.7 seconds for the Comfort model and 8.1 seconds for the Design, the latter carrying extra battery weight.

Efficiency and low running costs

Efficiency is one of the Sealion 5’s biggest selling points. The Design model returns an official weighted combined figure of up to 134.5mpg with CO₂ emissions as low as 48g/km, while the Comfort achieves 104.6mpg and 62g/km CO₂. Combined with a total driving range of more than 600 miles the Sealion 5 should be well-suited to long journeys as well as short, electric-only trips; if you can benefit from an overnight charging tariff, this could make your local trips very cost effective.

Charging is handled via a 3.3kW onboard charger, whilst this is rager underwhelming, it suits overnight home charging and can at least reach it’s maximum rate on a 3-pin plug so you won’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t have a 7kW wallbox at home.

Simple trim structure, sharp pricing

BYD has deliberately kept the range straightforward. Prices start at £29,995 for the Comfort trim, rising to £32,995 for the Design. A small range of exterior colours is available, with blue as the standard option and monochrome finishes offered at extra cost.

That pricing strategy is key to the Sealion 5’s appeal. Comparable plug-in versions of the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, MG HS or Volkswagen Tiguan typically cost several thousand pounds more, often before adding equivalent equipment.

Exterior styling is smart and fairly conservative

Initial Driving Impressions

Having spent an hour or so with the car today, I can say that it’s generally a very good all-round performer and seems to represent exceptional value for money.

The incredibly clever hybrid system gives an EV like drive - not a bad thing at all - it’s very smooth, very quiet, and not lacking for power.

Where the Sealion 5 slightly disappoints is with its ride quality (it can be a little harsh over rough surfaces) the upside of this is its an SUV that could be quite fun in the bends. A slightly more forgiving suspension setup would probably be better suited to our pot-hole riddled British roads, but it’s not a deal breaker for me.

Steering is nicely weighted without feeling especially direct, but we must remember this is a car more suited to the school run than lapping the Nordschleife. It’s also worth noting the pedal feel; it’s good, braking feels progressive and natural - not always a given these days, especially in some Chinese rivals.

A serious new contender?

The mid-size SUV landscape is shifting as BYD introduces the Sealion 5 DM-i. Positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to the Nissan Qashqai, this plug-in hybrid capitalizes on the growing demand for low-emission vehicles that don't require a total lifestyle change.

However, BYD isn't the only player aggressive on pricing. The MG HS remains a formidable opponent, specifically due to its superior 75-mile electric range. Furthermore, the arrival of the Chery Tiggo 7 and the hit Jaecoo 7—both offering respectable 56-mile EV ranges—indicates that the fiercest competition for BYD will come from fellow Chinese manufacturers rather than the European incumbents.

Summary

It may lack the brand heritage of its established rivals, but on paper the Sealion 5 makes a persuasive case for itself versus the usual pack. BYD is showing us that it’s here to stay with yet another impressive new model.

It’s very well-equipped, build quality is good, the warranty is generous, and it has a genuinely premium feel, along with a competitive price tag.

For buyers prioritising value, useable real world electrification and everyday usability, it’s an SUV that deserves to be taken very seriously in a highly competitive segment.

It’s well worth a look in our view.

—————

About the Author

Jim Starling is the founder of DefinitelyNotAGuru, the UK’s honest car companion. With a mission to cut through the marketing fluff and technical jargon, Jim provides straightforward, unbiased advice to help everyday drivers navigate the world of car buying, leasing, and the transition to electric vehicles.

As an independent motoring journalist and a long-term EV owner himself - Jim brings real-world experience to his reviews. Whether he’s on the floor of the Brussels Motor Show or testing the latest family SUV on UK roads, his focus remains the same: providing 100% honest opinions that put the audience first.

You can find more of Jim’s deep-dive reviews and money-saving car guides on the DefinitelyNotAGuru YouTube channel