2026 NEW BYD SEALION 5 DM-i PLUG-IN HYBRID. RAISING EYEBROWS Quick review.

There is a shift happening in the automotive industry and at the front of that shift is the growing influx of Chinese brands into the UK car market. Back in January I attended the UK media launch of the new BYD SEALION 5 Plug-in Hybrid DM-i a medium sized plug-in hybrid SUV that could appeal to price conscious buyers who isn’t yet fully committed to a purely electric SUV.

The new BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Plug-in Hybrid is the best of both worlds, it uses a 1.5 litre petrol engine essentially as a backup generator for the electric motor delivering a combined driving range of up to 631 miles. This DM-i setup allows the SUV to drive predominantly like an electric vehicle while retaining the reassurance of extended range. It can drive on pure electric power for up to 53 miles.

But here’s the thing, crucially it undercuts many of its rivals by positioning itself as being one of the cheapest SUV plug-in hybrids on sale in the UK with its price starting from £29,995.00.

Standard equipment include : Metallic paint, LED lights, folding mirrors, rain sensors wipers, electric seats and Vegan leather.

Let’s take a step back and think about what this car is going up against. Think Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai or even the MG HS Plug-in Hybrid which price starts from £32,245.00.

The vehicle tested here is the entry level SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort which still comes equipped with an impressive level of technology.

If I start with the looks from a design perspective the SEALION 5 is quite smart. It’s inoffensive, BYD take their inspiration from the ocean and sea life and I can see that in the curvy lines, which create a fluid design language. On closer inspection I started to notice some really nice touches, like 18 inch alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights and the silver C-pillar at the rear which creates the very much in vogue with some manufacturers…”The floating roof effect”.

Inside, the cabin follows the minimalist trend common among many car brands nowadays. However, the quality of materials and the standard of the fit and finish are difficult to fault. The Vegan Leather upholstery feels well executed with soft touch surfaces throughout. Orange contrast stitching stands out against the charcoal coloured seats while the chrome accents around the dashboard help to lift the otherwise dark dashboard.

The dual screen set up is clear and easy to read. It has a 8.8 inch instrument panel and a 12.8 inch infotainment screen in the centre and it’s reassuring to see the inclusion of physical buttons in the centre console. That said, some of the driving and climate controls do need to be adjusted via the centre screen.

I was able to find a good driving position using the electric seats. They’re supportive yet quite broad and visibility out the front and side windows isn’t an issue at all.

How does it drive?

As I mentioned earlier in this blog post, the 1.5 litre petrol engine really works as a generator charging the Blade Battery, so this SUV mainly drives like a fully electric vehicle. It’s responsive and while I did occasionally hear the petrol engine during quicker getaways or steep hill climbs, it remains quiet overall.

The steering is adequate when viewed through the eyes of a family SUV. It is responsive but by no means is this a sports car. For everyday driving, it’s more than capable. The same goes for the braking which is smooth and confidence inspiring.

I feel the same about the ride quality of the new SEALION 5 Comfort Plug-in Hybrid. It handles UK roads well, with only the largest potholes occasionally and I mean occasionally causing a slight unsettlement. Otherwise, the suspension does a very good and capable job of soaking up the bumps.

Safety wise, the new BYD SEALION 5 Plug-in Hybrid Comfort comes with all the ADAS features you could want. A 360 degree camera and front parking sensors comes as standard on the top of the range bigger battery Design model at £32,995 on the road, this entry Comfort model comes with rear parking sensors and a rear parking camera as standard.

My only criticism is that the driver monitoring system can be a little intrusive, reminding me to keep my eyes on the road when I was simply adjusting the climate control temperature. that said, as I wasn’t fully familiar with the car, I’m sure this wouldn’t be an issue with more time behind the wheel.

Here’s the key point. I’m judging this car purely on the price and what you get for your money. At this price point with everything included as standard and the plug-in hybrid DM-i technology, I have a strong feeling this could really shake things up and BYD has truly put a marker in the sand with this new SEALION 5 DM-i.