It’s February 2026, and the Australian automotive market just received a massive reality check. For years, the mid-size SUV segment has been dominated by “safe” choices like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage—cars that are excellent but increasingly expensive. But today, the conversation has shifted. The BYD Sealion 5 has officially landed, and it isn’t just competing; it’s practically starting a price war in the $34k bracket.

At EV evolution, we’ve seen the rapid rise of BYD, but the Sealion 5 (known globally as the Song Pro) represents their most aggressive play for the Aussie suburbs yet. It is officially the affordable PHEV SUV that makes you question why you’d ever pay $50k for a standard hybrid.

We’ve spent the last week digging through technical data, driving the local launch units in Melbourne, and—most importantly—scouring Reddit to see what real Aussie drivers are saying about this new “budget” king.

The Price: Australia’s New PHEV Entry Point

The headline for the BYD Sealion 5 price in Australia is simple: $33,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Essential. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly $13,000 cheaper than a mid-spec RAV4 Hybrid.

There are two variants currently available:

• Sealion 5 Essential: $33,990 + ORC (approx. $36,290 drive-away in VIC).
• Sealion 5 Premium: $37,990 + ORC (approx. $40,460 drive-away in VIC).

At these prices, the Sealion 5 is undercutting its rivals by thousands. Even the MG HS PHEV and the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid are feeling the heat. If you’re looking for an affordable PHEV SUV that fits the family budget, the Sealion 5 has moved the goalposts.

Performance & Tech: The DM-i 4.0 Drivetrain

Unlike its bigger brother, the Sealion 6, the Sealion 5 uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a single electric motor. It produces a combined 156kW of power and 300Nm of torque, which is plenty of “zip” for the school run.

• Battery & Range: The Essential features a 12.9kWh battery (71km NEDC range), while the Premium gets a larger 18.3kWh pack (100km NEDC). In the real world, expect about 50km–70km of pure electric driving—perfect for a daily commute.
• Fuel Efficiency: When the battery is charged, BYD claims as low as 1.2L/100km. However, real-world testing shows that once that battery hits 25%, the engine works harder, with some drivers on Reddit reporting 6.5L–8.1L/100km on the highway.

Before you buy, use our EV fuel savings calculator to see how much you’ll save if you actually plug in every night vs. running on petrol.

Real-World Review: What Aussie Redditors are Saying

We don’t just trust the brochure at EV evolution. We listen to the people. The users reviews BYD Sealion 5 on r/AustralianEV and r/BYDAU have highlighted some very specific pros and cons:

“The price is right, but the slow charging is a killer for me. 3.3kW AC only means you’re plugged in for 6 hours just to get 70km.” — Relevant-Priority-76, Reddit.

“I’ve had mine for two weeks. The back seat is massive—bigger than my old CX-5—and it’s surprisingly quiet on the road. For under $40k, I can live with the plastic-y dashboard.” — EcoTradie26, Reddit.

The Pros:

• Spacious Interior: Despite the “5” in the name, it’s nearly the same size as the Sealion 6. The 463L boot is family-ready.
• Soft Ride: It’s tuned for comfort. It handles the “choppy” Aussie backstreets better than some firmer European rivals.
• Standard Tech: Even the base model gets the rotating 10.1-inch screen (12.8-inch on Premium) and a suite of safety gear.

The Cons:

• No DC Charging: This is the big one. You cannot “fast charge” at a public hub. You are limited to 3.3kW AC charging, which means you’ll be doing most of your charging at home.
• Interior Materials: To hit that $34k price point, BYD used more hard plastics and “gloss black” surfaces that smudge easily.
• Towing: It’s limited to 750kg braked towing. If you have a heavy boat or caravan, this isn’t the SUV for you.

Strategise Your Sealion 5 Purchase

Is the Sealion 5 the right fit for your driveway? At EV evolution, we’ve built the tools to help you decide if this mid-size PHEV is a smart move:

• EV Charge Cost: See exactly what it costs to fill that 12.9kWh battery overnight.
• EV Charging Time Calculator: Since the Sealion 5 is limited to 3.3kW charging, you need to know exactly how long it takes to “refuel” before your next trip.
• EV Fuel Savings Calculator: Compare the running costs of the Sealion 5 against a traditional petrol SUV.
• The EV Vibe Check: Even though you can’t fast-charge, you’ll still want to find the best destination chargers at the mall or work.

🤖 Start the Conversation with the AI Agent

Got a specific question about the BYD Sealion 5 review results? Are you wondering if your specific child seat will fit in the back, or how the 156kW powertrain handles a full load of camping gear on a steep incline?

Don’t leave it to guesswork—start a conversation with our EV evolution AI Agent. Our AI is trained on thousands of Aussie data points, local pricing, and real-time dealer stock. You can ask it:

• “Compare the BYD Sealion 5 Premium vs the MG HS PHEV for total cost of ownership.”
• “What is the real-world fuel economy of the Sealion 5 once the battery is flat?”
• “Does the Sealion 5 have enough ground clearance for light gravel roads?”

The Verdict: Shaking Up the Market

The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 isn’t perfect. Its slow charging and lack of an ANCAP rating (as it’s an export-focused older platform) will give some buyers pause. But at $33,990, it is the most affordable PHEV SUV on the market by a country mile.

For the budget-conscious family or the Uber driver looking to slash fuel bills, the Sealion 5 is a “value grenade” that the legacy brands will find very hard to ignore.

Ready to see how much you could save? Jump into our EV fuel savings calculator to see the ROI, then chat with the AI Agent to finalize your 2026 purchase strategy.

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is Australia’s authoritative strategic platform for electric vehicle market, dedicated to providing a high-fidelity knowledge base for the next generation of drivers. In a year defined by the Federal statutory review of FBT exemptions and the rapid arrival of record-breaking affordable models, we serve as your professional co-pilot to ensure every automotive decision is data-driven and future-proof. Our EV Strategy Suite—including the EV Tax Savings Estimator, Vibe Check Tool, and 24/7 AI Strategy Agent—empowers young professionals and families to navigate complex technical and regulatory shifts with total transparency. At EV Evolution, we don’t just track the market, we provide the strategic roadmap for your transition to the new electric standard.