“I’m sure that’s possible” Sub-$40K price likely for BYD Sealion 5 which boasts 1300km-plus driving range

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Chinese carmaker BYD has already confirmed the Sealion 8, a plug-in hybrid Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe challenging seven-seater, and now it’s mulling a cost-of-living crushing five-seat SUV.

The medium SUV in question is the BYD Sealion 5 PHEV, also known as the Song Pro in its home market of China. Even with more than 1300km driving range (on the more lenient CLTC testing standard) and 173kW, word is it will be priced under $40,000 if it comes to Australia. 

The Sealion 5 is about five centimetres shorter, a little narrower and a smidge taller than the Sealion 6 Essential already on sale here from $42,990 before on-road costs. 

You might think there’s too much crossover, then, but BYD Australia senior manager product planning & pricing Sajid Hasan doesn’t.

“[Sealion 5 is] a medium-size SUV, it’s a plug-in hybrid, so definitely. I think there’s a huge love of medium size SUVs and hybrids. There definitely would be good potential for that car,” he said.

Though BYD’s official line is that the Sealion 5 is under consideration, reading between the lines speaking to Sajid, he seemed excited about the model. 

Plus, Chasing Cars recently spied the Sealion 5 — also known as the Song Pro DM-i in China — testing on the streets of Sydney. 

Compared to the Sealion 6, the 5 will save costs with a less powerful drivetrain, using only a non-turbo four-cylinder at its heart and driving exclusively the front wheels, rather than the Sealion 6’s optional AWD Premium trim. 

With a focus on efficiency, the Sealion 5’s 74kW petrol engine is allied to a 120kW/210Nm electric motor, delivering 173kW combined power and up to 1400km driving range in China’s more lenient CLTC. 

An 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery gives the Sealion 5 115km of electric driving range.

A smaller battery with 75km of electric-only range and closer to 1300km combined is also available in other markets — it’s this combination that would likely offer the attractive sub-$40K opening price in Oz.

To give context on how sharp that would be, a Toyota RAV4 with its regular hybrid starts at $42,990, before on-road costs, while a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is $45,100. These rivals don’t offer niceties like soft-touch door cards for both front and rear passengers — though they do drive well in tough Australian conditions.

As for how confident BYD is it could bring the Sealion 5 in under that magic $40K mark, “We’re not too far off that already with the Sealion 6,” says Hasan, “you’re only asking for another $3K below that, so I’m sure that’s possible.”