Suv Plug-In Hybrid e-CVT FWD 5-seat

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i

Price in South Africa, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation First South African SEALION 5 DM-i generation Current version Original current-generation version Body style SUV
SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is a South African SUV with a suv body and plug-in hybrid power.
ZAR 509,900
On-road in
ZAR 522,084
What makes up this price?
Vehicle price (ex-showroom)
ZAR 509,900
Registration allowance
ZAR 3,500
Licensing allowance
ZAR 1,300
Inspection / roadworthy allowance
ZAR 850
Dealer handling / delivery
ZAR 2,200
Insurance
ZAR 4,334
Other fees
ZAR 0
Ex-showroom ZAR 509,900
Estimated finance from ZAR 9,017/month Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1498cc (1.5L) Torque:122Nm (90 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:150mm (5.9″) Power:72kW (97 bhp) Electric Range:52km Battery:12.96kWh Boot463L (16.3 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 19.2 km/l (45 mpg)
City 20.0 km/l (47 mpg)
Highway 17.8 km/l (42 mpg)

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

Model Range PDF See comparisons with similar cars
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Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 9,017
Total Interest
ZAR 131,018
Total Payable
ZAR 541,018
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Vehicle specifications and buying guidance • Hagalu

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i

SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is a South African SUV with a suv body and plug-in hybrid power.

The BYD SEALION 5 Comfort DM-i costs R509,900 and is the value foundation of this five-seat plug-in-hybrid SUV range. It shares Dynamic's 1.5-litre petrol-electric system, 12.96 kWh battery and front-wheel drive. BYD publishes 156 kW as combined system output, while the front drive motor itself is rated at 145 kW and 300 Nm; BYD does not publish a combined system-torque figure. Because the upper derivative does not add power or battery, Comfort gives cost-conscious buyers the complete energy and performance proposition. Ground clearance is listed at 150 mm, while luggage capacity is 463 litres with the rear seats raised and 1,410 litres when folded. Test a stroller, child restraints and a full family's luggage in the car; the lower price does not change the body, but it may change convenience features around loading. Dynamic adds a powered tailgate, panoramic roof, surround-view camera and enhanced seat comfort in the official specification. If the required restraint and assistance features are present, the shared powertrain makes Comfort especially persuasive. The 52 km claim can cover many urban routines when the battery is charged. Actual range depends on traffic, speed, weather, gradients and climate use. Comfort is the recommended derivative for households that value space, propulsion and price more than Dynamic's panoramic and convenience package. The 1.5-litre petrol-electric system sends 156 kW of published combined power through the front wheels; its front drive motor is rated at 145 kW and 300 Nm, while combined system torque is not officially disclosed. For a buyer searching the SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i price and specifications in South Africa, the interesting part is the trade-off rather than the feature count. Plug-in Hybrid power describes the opportunity; the base trim and an active listing describe the conditions around it. An SUV body describes the opportunity; Plug-in Hybrid power and a e-CVT transmission describe the conditions around it for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i. A realistic load, route and monthly-distance check will reveal whether the package earns its place on the shortlist for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i — Quick Facts

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Specifications

Showing all 219 non-empty supported buyer-facing fields for Comfort DM-i. Blank contract fields are not fabricated.

Model Introduced Year
2026
Body Style
SUV
Generation
First South African SEALION 5 DM-i generation
Model Year
2026
Production Status
Active
Segment
Medium SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Length
4738 mm
Width
1860 mm
Height
1710 mm
Wheelbase
2712 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 l
Boot/Cargo Space
463 l
Kerb Weight
1675 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2085 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.0 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
980 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
780 mm
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Series-Parallel Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
122 Nm @ 4000-4500 rpm
Combined Power
156 kW
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
1
Motor Location
Front
Drive Type
FWD
Transmission
e-CVT
Top Speed
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.3 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
93.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
12.96 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
52 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
3.3 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Time
4 h 30 min
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Yes
LSD Available
Not Available
Gearbox
e-CVT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
FWD
Axle Layout
4x2
Low Range
Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
3.3
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Gearshift lever
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Range Real World Mixed
1040 km
Electric Consumption
15.9 kWh/100 km (real-world)
Charging Type
AC
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC
Combined Driving Range
1001 km
Range Real World Highway
978 km
Real-world Mileage
21.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Litres
52
Auto Start Stop
Integrated hybrid engine stop/start
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 l
Highway Mileage
17.8 km/l
City Mileage
20.0 km/l
Claimed Mileage
19.2 km/l
Brake Assist
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
ABS
Standard
Airbags
6
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
BA
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
TCS
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
AEB
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
EBD
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Steering Wheel Material
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Keyless Entry
Standard
Climate Control
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Android Auto
Standard
Touchscreen
Standard
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment System
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Infotainment Screen
12.8
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
Roof Rails
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Atlantis Grey, Obsidian Black, Snow White, Time Grey
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Headlights
LED
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED Headlamps
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Snow
Wading Depth
363.6 mm
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Approach Angle
18 deg
Departure Angle
22 deg
Locking Differential
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Tyre Size
225/60 R18
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Service Plan
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
CO2 Emissions
27 g/km
Pricing Role
entry-price derivative
Price Zar
509900 ZAR
Ownership Role
entry-price derivative
Starting Price
509900
Starting Price Zar
509900

Imported source and record fields

19 non-empty identity, provenance, and legacy source fields are retained here for review. They are not mixed into the buyer-facing specification table. The supplied pack has no values for 575 of the 813 specification-contract fields on this page, so those blank fields remain omitted.

Market
South Africa
Brand
BYD
Brand Slug
byd
Country
South Africa
Country Slug
south-africa
Make
BYD
Model
SEALION 5 DM-i
OEM URL
https://www.byd.com/za/hybrid-cars/sealion-5-dmi
Source Name
BYD Auto South Africa
Source Page URL
https://www.byd.com/za/hybrid-cars/sealion-5-dmi
Source URL
https://prod.byd.com/material/byd-site/za/product/sealion-5-dm-i/Sealion-5-Specifications-SA.pdf
Variant
Comfort DM-i
Fuel Economy Combined
5.2
Fuel Efficiency
5.2 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
5.2 l/100km
Combined Consumption
5.2
Claimed Fuel Consumption
5.2 l/100km
Average Fuel Consumption
5.2
Price Source
South African retail-market RRP listing (secondary verification)
Driving fit

Where the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

The best buyer for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i can describe a recurring reason for choosing its suv layout. Then compare Plug-in Hybrid power and the base trim with insurance, tyres, maintenance and the monthly finance payment

City
The urban test for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i should resemble the owner’s route: a cold start, queues, kerbs, a narrow turn and a place where people or goods must be loaded. The vehicle’s a South African price reference of R509,900 is only useful if access and visibility work in practice
Highway
The shared body measures 4,738 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,710 mm high on a 2,712 mm wheelbase. For highway buyers, the SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i needs to make sense when passengers, luggage or work equipment are aboard. A power output of 72 kW @ 6000 rpm helps frame the vehicle’s intended workload; do not assume that a larger body automatically brings more reserve or comfort
Off-Road
Engine of 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid may help, but neither a tall bonnet nor plug-in hybrid alone creates four-wheel drive, low range or a published wading ability. Ground clearance is only one part of the rough-road answer for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i. For SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i, the sensible check is the exact fwd arrangement, tyre specification, load and protection underneath. Stay cautious where the local data does not state clearance or wading depth for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i. A buyer whose routine includes construction tracks or isolated farm roads should compare a vehicle with documented capability rather than infer it from styling for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i
4.3/5
Hagalu editorial score 4.3 out of 5 Reviewed by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-08-02

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i — Should You Buy It?

4.3/5
BYD SEALION 5 Comfort DM-i expert rating
Hagalu editorial review by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-08-02

SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is a South African SUV with a suv body and plug-in hybrid power. A fair review of SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i should end with the owner’s route, not a universal verdict. The combination of an active listing, a South African price reference of R509,900 and engine of 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid can be valuable for the right driver. The same package may feel expensive or inconvenient if the vehicle spends its life in a different role. Drive the exact version loaded as it will be used, then read the service, warranty, tyre and insurance costs beside the purchase price The conclusion depends on the exact South African derivative, its price and the work it has to do.

Desk research: Scored from verified published sources and Hagalu's South African buyer analysis; this vehicle was not road-tested for this review. This is a Hagalu editorial score, not a customer rating.

Safety 4.1/5 · 20%
4.1/5
Value 4.7/5 · 20%
4.7/5
Practicality 4.5/5 · 20%
4.5/5
Ownership 4.1/5 · 15%
4.1/5
Powertrain suitability 4.2/5 · 15%
4.2/5
Comfort & technology 4.0/5 · 10%
4.0/5

Evidence reviewed: Hagalu maintains the detailed source record internally so this page does not promote third-party vehicle websites.

How this score is calculated · Methodology v1.0

SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i deserves a closer look when its price, equipment and powertrain fit the owner’s route.

A fair review of SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i should end with the owner’s route, not a universal verdict. The combination of an active listing, a South African price reference of R509,900 and engine of 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid can be valuable for the right driver

What's Good
  • ✓Body style: SUV
  • ✓Fuel type: Plug-in Hybrid
  • ✓Transmission: e-CVT
  • ✓Trim: base
  • ✓Status: active
  • ✓South African price: R509,900
  • ✓Engine: 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
  • ✓Power output: 72 kW @ 6000 rpm
  • ✓Gearbox: e-CVT
Watch Out For
  • ✕Exact equipment for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i can vary by derivative.
  • ✕Real fuel use for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i depends on route, load and weather.
  • ✕The written SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i quotation should be checked before purchase.
  • ✕Tyre, insurance and service costs need a separate SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i budget.
  • ✕A short SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i test drive cannot represent every ownership route.
  • ✕SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i capability should not be inferred from body styling alone.
  • ✕The adjacent SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i grade may suit a different workload.
  • ✕Published SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i figures are planning references, not guarantees.
  • ✕Buyers should confirm SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i stock and support terms.

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i FAQs

The current recommended retail price listed for the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is R509,900. This is the vehicle price before finance interest, insurance, registration and any dealer-added options.

The current south african range comprises Comfort DM-i, Dynamic DM-i. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed ground clearance for the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is 150 mm. Use that number as a practical comparison point against similar cars, especially if you regularly deal with steep driveways, gravel roads or uneven parking areas.

The listed engine capacity for the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is 1498 cc, with output shown as 72 kW (97 bhp). Where a model has more than one derivative, compare the specific variant because fuel type, gearbox and drivetrain can change the way it drives.

The combined fuel-economy figure shown for the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i is around 19.2 km/l.

The best buyer for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i can describe a recurring reason for choosing its suv layout. Then compare Plug-in Hybrid power and the base trim with insurance, tyres, maintenance and the monthly finance payment

The urban test for SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i should resemble the owner’s route: a cold start, queues, kerbs, a narrow turn and a place where people or goods must be loaded. The vehicle’s a South African price reference of R509,900 is only useful if access and visibility work in practice

The shared body measures 4,738 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,710 mm high on a 2,712 mm wheelbase. For highway buyers, the SEALION 5 DM-i Comfort DM-i needs to make sense when passengers, luggage or work equipment are aboard.

Buyers researching the BYD SEALION 5 DM-i often compare it with rivals such as Volkswagen Taigo , Jetour T1 , Renault Captur , Hyundai ALCAZAR , Jaecoo J7 . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare BYD SEALION 5 DM-i with Similar Suvs

Tap any card to see a full head-to-head — specs, scores and a clear verdict on which one's worth your money.

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
VS
Volkswagen Taigo
SEALION 5 DM-i vs Taigo
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Volkswagen Taigo from ZAR 514,500
See full specs & who wins →
BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
VS
Jetour T1
SEALION 5 DM-i vs T1
Petrol SUV 4 Variants
Jetour T1 from ZAR 514,900
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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
VS
Renault Captur
SEALION 5 DM-i vs Captur
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Renault Captur from ZAR 515,999
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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
VS
Hyundai ALCAZAR
SEALION 5 DM-i vs ALCAZAR
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Hyundai ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900
See full specs & who wins →
BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
VS
Jaecoo J7
SEALION 5 DM-i vs J7
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Jaecoo J7 from ZAR 519,900
See full specs & who wins →

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Models currently listed for sale in the south african range.

BYD ATTO 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid
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BYD ATTO 3 Electric
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Data verified against: BYD Official South Africa Website

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