BYD’s rise in South Africa has been anything but linear, yet the arrival of the new Sealion 5 PHEV is sure to spark a lot of excitement for China’s largest car brand. It is the first BYD passenger car I’ve driven locally, and within a few kilometres, it became clear that this SUV has been engineered with far more maturity and consideration than its price tag might imply.
When BYD Auto arrived in South Africa in 2023, the industry responded with genuine excitement. The brand’s global reputation had already been cemented in markets where electrification was far more mature, and many expected BYD to hit the ground running.
Instead, its local journey began slowly. It took some time for the company to find its rhythm in a market still adjusting to hybrids and EVs. The new BYD Sealion 5 PHEV feels like a turning point in that story.
This was the first BYD passenger car I had driven in South Africa. I had sampled the Shark 6 bakkie before, which gave me an early glimpse of the company’s engineering direction, yet the Sealion 5 offered a much clearer sense of what BYD intends to stand for in the passenger-car space. Several aspects impressed me almost immediately, though there are one or two areas where refinement would be welcome.
What stood out from the moment I settled into the driver’s seat was the perceived build quality. The doors close with reassuring weight, the cabin materials are well-matched, and the overall interior layout feels mature. BYD’s approach to seating comfort deserves particular praise. The front seats are exceptionally supportive over longer stretches and are shaped in a way that makes the cabin feel inviting. Interior space is also a notable strength. The Sealion 5 feels broader and more open than many of its rivals. I appreciated the inclusion of physical buttons for essential functions, which keeps the cabin from feeling overly screen-dependent.
SURPRISINGLY COMPOSED
On the road, the Sealion 5 proved equally pleasing. The launch route included some fairly neglected sections of tarmac, yet the suspension dealt with them without fuss. It maintains good composure over rutted surfaces and avoids the jitteriness that some crossovers in this category show. The steering deserves a nod, too. It is more direct than expected and builds confidence quickly, which helps the car feel settled in general driving.
The powertrain, however, brings a more nuanced impression. BYD uses a familiar combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and its plug-in hybrid system. The combined output provides enough energy (156 kW and 300 Nm) to make the Sealion 5 feel lively in most situations. Performance is not the issue. Smoothness can be. Under hard acceleration, the engine tends to work quite loudly, and the CVT gearbox is forced to stretch itself to meet the requested pace. The effect is something of a strained soundtrack. In everyday driving, the system is far more composed, and the real payoff is efficiency. With an electric-only range of around 52 km and a claimed overall range of up to 1,001 km, the Sealion 5 becomes a highly compelling option indeed.
MIXED FEELINGS ON LOOKS
Design is subjective, although I do think the Sealion 5’s exterior sits slightly behind BYD’s newer styling language. The rear section is crisp and neatly resolved, while the front end isn’t as settled. Note that it’s not unattractive, but it doesn’t push the envelope visually. Even so, comfort, practicality, and price are more important in this segment, and the Sealion 5 scores strongly across all three.
One practical omission is the lack of a spare wheel. A tyre repair kit might be acceptable in some markets, but South African road conditions often demand more robust reassurance. It is not a deal-breaker and not unique to the Sealion 5, though it is noteworthy.
LAST WORD
The Sealion 5 range consists of two derivatives, and the entry-level Comfort model now carries the title of South Africa’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. That alone will get many consumers through showroom doors. Coupled with impressive range, good build quality, spaciousness, and a comfortable ride, it forms a package with real market appeal.
Despite BYD’s slow start in South Africa, the Sealion 5 (and the Dolphin Surf compact EV launched earlier in 2025) shows how quickly fortunes can shift, and I expect it to resonate strongly with local buyers. It represents solid value, seems easy to live with, and demonstrates a level of maturity that will likely help the brand grow into one of the country’s more prominent automotive players over time.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © BYD SOUTH AFRICA
