2025 BYD Sealion 5 PHEV

Too good to be true?

Let’s face it, BYD is changing the automotive landscape in the Philippines at breakneck speed. Who would have thought that in a short amount of time, BYD would be the one to introduce more electrified vehicles to the market at affordable prices? From the budget-friendly Seagull EV to the feature-packed Sealion 6 DM-i, BYD has an EV or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) available for every discerning buyer who’s looking for a bargain.

At PHP 1.548M, the Sealion 6 is already a competitively priced PHEV against other compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the recently launched Ford Territory Hybrid. But for the ever budget-conscious buyer, BYD decided they could do with another plug-in hybrid crossover that’s slightly smaller and is selling for B-SUV prices.

That vehicle is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, and it drives a compelling bargain. That’s because this plug-in hybrid retails for PHP 1.248 million and is available at a discounted cash price of PHP 1.198 million. At over 4.7 meters long and packed to the brim with features, what makes it more affordable than the already impressive Sealion 6? And what sacrifices and other changes did BYD make to make the Sealion 5 such a compelling PHEV?

Let’s start by checking out its design. In my opinion, the Sealion 5 looks better than the Sealion 6. Yes, the latter is more eye-catching, but it looks too polarizing for my tastes. The Sealion 5 is more restrained but still looks stylish in its own way. The front fascia appears to have been inspired by Volkswagen with its distinct LED daytime running lights & headlights, prominent front grille, and dynamic-looking bumper. The result is a crossover that’s not overly styled but still looks sleek & fresh.

The rear may not be as flashy, but I like how BYD was able to incorporate some key styling elements from Porsche and Lamborghini without being too obvious. The full-width LED taillights look like it was inspired by the Urus, while the tailgate itself looks to have been taken from Stuttgart’s design bureau. Paired with a tailgate spoiler, the overall look and design of the Sealion 5 is sleek but not over-the-top, which I really liked. In this day & age, where car designers seldom practice restraint, the Sealion 5 is a welcome change.

Hop inside, and the Sealion 5 welcomes you into a stylish and neat-looking cabin. It may not be the most cutting-edge, but what BYD does great is making budget-friendly vehicles look and feel more upmarket than they appear.

The Sealion 5 is no different, with its white leather upholstery, generous use of faux metal accents, piano black dashboard trim, and acres of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The white finish on the leather seats is nice to look at, but I hope BYD offers a darker shade as an option since I can’t imagine having to clean stains on white upholstery.

Like other BYD models, the Sealion 5 comes with a digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen handles most of the in-car functions, including the energy management system, safety features, and more.

But technophiles will be glad to know that Sealion 5 comes with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. That means that in case you forget to bring your charging cable, you can still pair your device with the touchscreen. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a wireless charging pad, so there's that.

It doesn’t get power-adjustable front seats, but the manual seats are easy to manipulate, and the driver’s seat comes with height adjustability, which is a welcome feature for drivers who are not vertically gifted. There is also plenty of legroom in the back, and it comes with a folding center armrest for extra comfort. The rear backrests are adjustable; a feature you would not usually find on a vehicle such as this.

While everything inside the cabin appears to be okay, it's not all rosy, particularly with the A/C. The dual-zone climate control takes its sweet time before it turns on after you press the button. This is perhaps the only vehicle that does that, as every other vehicle I’ve tested immediately activates once you press the button or turn the dials. I also wish BYD gave it a stronger fan, as on hotter days, the system will struggle despite having the temperature set at 20 degrees Celsius or below.

There were times I had to set the fan speed at four or five just so I could feel the cold air blowing from the vents. Last but not least, I wish there were physical buttons for the climate control instead of having to press on the touchscreen to adjust the fan speed or change the temperature.

Another thing I wish BYD would change in the future is the placement of the USB ports and 12V power socket. While I do get that BYD’s intention of making it a clean-looking dashboard, the placement of the said ports (and 12V socket) means it’s hard to insert or remove your cables. It’s slightly easier when you’re seated in the front passenger seat, but that only means the driver will have to go to the other side just to easily find the ports.

Last but certainly not least is better Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) deadening. At highway speeds, tire noise as well as wind noise from the side mirror caps can easily creep into the cabin. Changing the tires could fix the latter, but for the former, I wish BYD had put thicker side windows on the Sealion 5. But then again, this plug-in hybrid was built to meet a price point, so that’s something buyers would have to contend with in the long run.

The Sealion 5 comes with BYD’s DM-i system, which consists of a 1.5L engine that serves as a generator and an electric motor that’s powered by a 12.9 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery. The electric motor drives the front wheels and makes 197 PS with 300 Nm of torque. BYD says it can cover up to 71 km with a fully charged battery, but when combined with a full tank of gas, the Sealion 5 has a combined range of over 1,000 km.

When I had the Sealion 5 for a week, the battery was at 93% and I had a combined range of nearly 930 km. Since I had enough juice in the battery, I was able to forego using the engine for several days. These included my daily drive to and from the office and going on a supermarket run. This translates to fewer trips to the pumps since you only need to run on battery power over certain distances.

Heck, there was one time when I left home and arrived in the office, and I only used 9% of the battery. This was made possible thanks to regenerative braking, which I set to “High”. Yes, it has a “Normal” setting, but since I wanted to regain as much energy as possible, I decided to see just how energy efficient the battery can be, and it did not disappoint.

Throughout my entire week with the Sealion 5, I was able to average between 3.8 liters per 100 km and 5.1 liters per 100 km, which translates to an average consumption of 26.3 km per liter and 19.6 km per liter, respectively. Combined with the fact that I can turn off the engine and run entirely on battery power, which means fewer visits to the filling station. And since the 1.5L engine can recharge the engine on the go, I didn’t have to visit a charging station, which saves me from unnecessary downtimes. 

But don’t let the Sealion 5’s mild-mannered energy/fuel consumption fool you into thinking it’s a slowpoke. With 300 Nm of torque on tap, it’s quite easy to light up the front tires from a standstill. In fact, I had to remind myself to be gentle with the throttle as I was able to chirp them twice by accident. The tradeoff, however, is the ability to overtake without a hitch. Whether you need to pass a slow-moving vehicle on a provincial road or need to reach highway speeds in a cinch, the Sealion 5’s electric motor delivers instantaneous power in a snap. It’s no high-performance crossover, but you’ll be surprised by how it performs like one. It can easily outpace turbo-diesel SUVs and even embarrass more powerful sports cars without even trying through sheer acceleration.

Set the drivetrain to Sport Mode, and the electric motor is even more aggressive and raring to hit triple-digit speeds without delay. But since it was doing a fantastic job in Normal Mode, I didn’t even bother using Sport Mode unless it was absolutely necessary. It also has Eco Mode, but it delays the response from the electric motor, so unless you really want to maximize the battery’s state-of-charge, Normal is the way to go. 

Like other BYD vehicles, the Sealion 5 delivers a comfy and supple ride. Whether I had to go over shallow potholes, rutted streets, and uneven undulations, the Sealion 5 kept its composure and rode in stride. It’s no Seal 5, which is the comfiest BYD I’ve ever been on, but the Sealion 5’s ride comfort is somewhat close despite being a taller vehicle.

When it comes to handling, the Sealion 5 is easy to maneuver around corners thanks to its light steering. Unfortunately, the steering is so light that it feels like it’s not hooked up to anything. The result is a feeling of disconnect between the steering wheel itself and the front tires. Combined with its soft suspension, the Sealion 5 is nimble but lacks steering sensation. This is great for those looking at a comfortable family crossover, but for those who want something with a bit more driving experience, you’ll have to look for something else. But then again, the Sealion 5 was not exactly built to be a driver’s car; it’s more of a family vehicle.

Customers today who are looking to get themselves a crossover SUV are spoiled for choice, thanks to the abundance of vehicles that cover plenty of segments and are available in a wide array of powertrains. The Sealion 5 PHEV sets itself apart by positioning itself in the B-SUV segment despite being a larger vehicle at over 4.7 meters long. Combined with its ability to cover distances on pure battery power and having the ability to recharge on the go, just like the Sealion 6, the BYD Sealion 5 certainly drives a hard bargain with its electrified powertrain.

It doesn’t have a wireless charging pad, a 360 camera, ADAS, or power-adjustable front seats, but for those who can live without such niceties, the Sealion 5 is quite literally a steal. Did I forget to mention it comes with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as standard?

All in all, those who want an affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle but want something bigger (and taller) than the Seal 5 can get the Sealion 5. You do have to sacrifice some amenities, but if you’re fine living without some, the Sealion 5 will not disappoint and delivers serious value for money for a PHEV that’s selling for B-SUV prices.