Sealion 5 Crossover set for family fame
Published on 09th April 2026 at 08:37
At 4,738mm in length, the latest BYD glides onto our streets, this mid-sized, Sealion
5 Crossover SUV, its eight model to grace our driveways in three years. Two trim
levels are offered, ‘Comfort’ and ‘Design’, and are introduced at the price of €36,990
(Comfort) and €40,990 (Design).
It is a test of our absorption when the capability of this car brand many may never
have heard off, are outlined in numerics. In 2025 they sold 4.60 million vehicles,
employ somewhere close to 1 million employees, with 120,000 in their R&D
Department. Having been introduced here by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) in
2023, BYD now is placed amongst the leading five EV and PHEV brands in Ireland.
Currently BYD vehicles are available via their 14-outlet main dealer network, which
continues to expand. This new Sealion 5 is equipped with BYD’s Super DM (Dual
Mode) hybrid technology, its arrival bringing to three the number of BYD Super
Hybrids on the market here – models that Vicky Reilly, their national sales manager,
says ‘have been flying out of our showrooms since their introduction’.
On my short launch drive the Sealion 5 provided room for three adults, whilst it
meandered nicely through the back roads of south County Dublin and a section of
motorway, all dismissed with out any great effort.
Sitting in the C-segment with others of equal intentions, the Sealion 5 is very
deserving of a slot on your test-drive list, the BYD onslaught simply impossible to
ignore. Certain to appeal to families and those looking for up-to-date technology as
they enter the new world of electric-assisted motoring.
Dimensions
Measuring 4,738mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,710mm high with a wheelbase of
2,712mm, the Sealion 5 an adult five-seater with impressive levels of headroom and
legroom.
Boot capacity is 463-litres expanding to 1,410 litres when 40:60-split rear seats are
folded. In this configuration, the flat floor makes it easier to load heavy, bulky items.
Super DM Technology
Prioritising electric power with minimal reliance on fuel is achieved by BYD’s Super
DM Technology. When the battery is fully charged and switched to EV mode, the
vehicle becomes pure-electric. When state of charge is low, it transforms into an
ultra-low fuel consumption hybrid vehicle producing a quiet and comfortable drive.
Comfort & Design trim option
Each trim level is configured with differing battery sizes supporting the same total
system power output of 212hp, the Comfort model has a battery capacity of
12.96kWh delivering up to 62kms of pure-electric range, and an overall WLTP
combined range figure of 992kms.
With its larger 18.3kWh battery, the Design model has a pure-electric range of 85kms
and a combined range of 1016kms. Equipped with an array of standard features,
include technology that helps minimise running costs whilst retaining long-range
flexibility with a WLTP-rated weighted consumption figure ranging from 2.1 –
2.7L/100kms.
Comfort versions have metallic paint as standard, with 18-inch alloy wheels,
aluminium roof rails, LED headlights and tail-lights, an 8.8” digital instrument
panel, a 12.8” infotainment screen, electrically adjustable front seats, front and rear
USB charging ports and rear parking sensors.
It also features typical customer-focused BYD technologies, including NFC key that
allows access to the vehicle using smartphone. All versions of the BYD Sealion 5
Super Hybrid come with Vehicle-to-Load technology as standard, allowing external
devices – everything from a coffee machine to a portable fridge – to be powered at up
to 3.3kW.
What you get
Design variants, in addition to its larger battery for a greater pure-electric range, get
front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, an electric tailgate, heated front
seats and a 15W wireless smartphone-charging pad.
Visual features include a ‘textured’ grille and lower-set bumper giving it a wider
stance. Others are its crisp surfaces, muscular shoulders that flare over the wheel
arches, and a clean, minimalist rear with integrated roof spoiler, full-width light bar
and a contrast-colour D-pillar creating a ‘floating’ roof effect.
In addition to its hybrid system which operates in EV and in HEV modes – where
wheels are driven solely by the electric motor and back-up charge supplied with
power from a 1.5-litre petrol engine, other standard items within the range include
smartphone connectivity, ‘Hi BYD’ voice commands, seven airbags protection, and a
comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features.
Warranty cover on all BYD cobalt-free, lithium-ion phosphate Blade Batteries is
250,000kms, or 8-years.
For more information visit: www.bydauto.ie
