BYD Sealion 5 PHEV confirmed for Australia as Chinese brand's second RAV4 fighter

The BYD Sealion 5 mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV has been locked in for Australia as one of four new models from the Chinese brand, with a local arrive scheduled for early 2026.

At 4735mm, the Sealion 5 is slightly longer than the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail , and also edges out the Mitsubishi Outlander by 25mm.

When it arrives next year alongside the larger Sealion 8 PHEV SUV, BYD’s ‘Sealion’ SUV range will become a family of four joining the similarly-sized Sealion 6 PHEV and Tesla Model Y -rivalling Sealion 7 mid-size electric SUV.

Like the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, the Sealion 5 will be strictly a five-seater, with the Sealion 8 to become the brand’s first seven-seater model in Australia.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great