The BYD Seal 5 DM-i is seeing success thanks to its value for money and real-world fuel efficiency. Of course, not everyone is a fan of a sedan which is why BYD quickly brought in the new Sealion 5 DM-i crossover. It has the same formula as the Seal 5 DM-i in that it’s sized much bigger than its price range, which officially starts at PHP 1,248,000.
Measuring 4,739mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,710mm tall, the all-new Sealion 5 DM-i is just a tad shorter in length, a bit thinner in width, but is taller despite having a lower ground clearance of 156mm than its brother Sealion 6 DM-i. They also look vastly different as the Sealion 6 follows the “Ocean” design language while the Sealion 5 builds on the look of the EVs like the Atto 3 and eMAX 7 – only with a larger grille.
BYD has checked all the bells and whistles for the exterior amenities of the Sealion 5. It has Automatic LED lighting, Roof Rails, Power Adjustable Side Mirrors with Heating, and Puddle Lamps. No Panoramic Sunroof or Powered Tailgate this time around.
The cabin will greet you with colors that are reminiscent of the Atto 3. It’s a splash of Grey, Cream, and Blue combined with orange piping all around. However, the dashboard layout is reminiscent of the Seal 5 DM-i sedan, save for the shifter, giving the Sealion 5 a unique aesthetic in BYD’s lineup.
Compromise was certainly done in order to lower the price point. The driver only has manual seats, it has a smaller 10.1-inch Rotating touchscreen, no Type-C port in the front row, and 2 less speakers. Still, the Sealion 5 is loaded with a lot of creature comforts. It has leather upholstery, 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster, has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, NFC Card Smart Entry System, and Speed Sensing Door Locks.
Rear occupants will enjoy the Adjustable Reclining Seats, Center Armrest with Cupholders, Rear Air Vents, illuminated USB Type-A and Type-C Charging Ports, and cubby hole underneath that for other extra stuff you may have.
The best part of the Sealion 5 for sure is its powertrain. It has a 1.5-liter engine paired up to an electric motor. Combined, it produces 197 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque with power sent to the front wheels. It has an EV only range of 71 km but combined, it can go more than 1,000 km on a single charge and a single tank of gas. In BYD Cars Philippines’ own test though, they achieved 1,409.7 km with the Sealion 5 DM-i.
It also comes with the BYD signature package of a 3.5kw Wall Charger, Vehicle-to-Load capability, and V2L adapter that lets you make a powerbank of this crossover.
The safety system is hefty too. It has 6 Airbags, Traction Control System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Camera, 4 Rear Sensors, and a Cruise Control. The lack of Advanced Driver Assist features isn’t a huge miss since the Seal 5 sedan doesn’t have it too.
“The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i delivers exceptional value—combining advanced technology, everyday functionality, and a size advantage that’s perfect for first-time buyers,” said Bob Palanca, Managing Director of BYD Cars Philippines. “Powered by BYD’s proven Super DM-i technology, the Sealion 5 offers more of what matters to cost-conscious and practical car owners – a reliable and sustainable long-range driving companion. As more Filipinos adopt electrified mobility, the Sealion 5 DM-i will serve as the gateway to BYD and ACMobility’s vision of a greener Philippines.”
The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i only comes in one variant and is priced at PHP 1,248,000. It’s available in Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black, Aurora White, and Harbour Grey. Eager buyers can take advantage of the introductory cash price of PHP 1,198,000 or a low downpayment scheme of PHP 88,000.
