BYD Launches Most Affordable Plug-in Hybrid SUV, Redefining Value in the Mid-Size Segment
Published: 15 Dec 2025
Author: Precedence Research
BYD Australia has also officially announced the pricing and availability of the new SEALION 5. This made it the most affordable plug-in hybrid SUV in the brand's history and one of the most competitively priced electrified SUVs in the Australian market. Starting at 33,990, the SEALION 5 not only beats the competition from plug-in hybrids but also most mainstream petrol-powered mid-size SUVs. Furthermore, BYD is seeking to demonstrate its commitment to accelerating the electrification of mobility by making more advanced hybrid technology available to a significantly larger segment of Australian consumers.
The introduction of the SEALION 5 has been timed to coincide with growing demand among Australian consumers for electric vehicles. They are more efficient, more performant, and practical without the premium prices that have traditionally been levied on electrified vehicles. The price of the SEALION 5 set is lower than rivals like the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and even lower than the most competitive vehicles on the market. Moreover, BYD is attempting to take on established competitors already in the market in the country's most competitive vehicle segment.
The SEALION 5 features a new DM-I 4.0 Super Hybrid design from BYD, which combines a high-efficiency 1.5-litre petrol engine with a strong electric motor at its heart. The system will be designed to prioritize electric driving in everyday situations. The Essential entry-level model comes with a 12.9 kWh battery, a combined system output of 156 kW, and a maximum electric-only range of up to 71 kilometers. This strategy is directly targeted at the value-conscious consumers.
Further, to meet the needs of people who want to travel longer distances on electricity, the Premium model is available with a larger 18.3 kWh battery. This is expanded to 100 kilometers of electric-only drive, allows up to 1.3 liters per 100 kilometers, and has a total combined range of up to 1,030 kilometers. Furthermore, this vehicle is a strategy that will help BYD secure a good market share in the years to come.