Watch out Mitsubishi, MG and Chery! BYD Sealion 5 extended midsize SUV and Sealion 8 large seven-seat SUV coming to shake up growing plug-in market

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BYD hopes to tighten its grip on the Australian plug-in hybrid market, confirming two new models which will predominantly target the Mitsubishi Outlander, MG HS, and Chery Tiggo 8.

Slated to release early in 2026, the two PHEVs are known as the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8.

The two models will sit on either side of the current $42,990 before on-roads BYD Sealion 6, which has rapidly proven itself as a resound alternative to the long-standing midsize PHEV segment leader, the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed PHEV. 

That car starts at $57,290 for the base plug-in ES, and in higher Exceed trim, offers seven seats to the tune of $69,290. Both prices are before on-road costs.

It has long been anticipated that BYD would provide a seven seat answer to Mitsubishi, and the Sealion 8 looks to do just that, while also serving as BYD’s large flagship model. 

Local specifications for the Sealion 8, aside from the prospect of seven seats, and claims that the model is ‘tech focused’, are still unconfirmed. In overseas markets, the Sealion 8 measures 5040mm long, 1996mm wide, and 1970mm tall, with a 2950mm wheelbase.

For comparison, the soon to release 2026 Hyundai Palisade measures 5065mm in length. 

But one model to bury the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV wasn’t enough. BYD will further its PHEV offensive by simultaneously quenching the flames of cheaper plug-in rivals from China — enter the cheaper, but still family sized Sealion 5. 

Pricing for the Sealion 5 is yet to be confirmed, but BYD says it is “perfectly primed for customers seeking value without compromising on the features BYD has become renowned for.”

We anticipate the Sealion 5 to be competitive with the $48,990 MG HS ‘Super Hybrid’, $42,990 Chery Tiggo 8 CHS, and the $45,990 Jaecoo J7 SHS. Prices are before on-roads. 

The Sealion 5 is a larger than midsize long wheelbase five seater which in International markets measures 4710mm long, 1880mm wide, and 1720mm tall, with a 2712mm wheelbase – unexpectedly within 50mm in all dimensions to the current Sealion 6. 

By comparison, the midsize SUV segment leading Toyota RAV4 is 4600mm long.

Technical specifications are largely unknown for both Sealion models, but BYD did confirm that models will feature a DM-i hybrid system similar to the Sealion 6 and Shark 6 ute. 

Both existing systems blend a 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine, offered with or without a turbocharger, with a BYD Blade battery (between 18 and 30kWh), and one or two electric motors, depending on the model grade. 

BYD claims that the release of its new Sealion models, as well as newly confirmed Atto models, will help Australians make the conversion to full electric power. 

Read Chasing Cars exclusive international first drive coverage of the BYD Sealion 5 here.