A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Hyundai EXTER vs BYD SEALION 5 DM-i: the short answer
SEALION 5 DM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while EXTER remains close.
EXTER starts ZAR 240,000 cheaperEXTER from ZAR 269,900 · SEALION 5 DM-i from ZAR 509,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Maximum Power
EXTER5 kW
SEALION 5 DM-i72 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
EXTER114 Nm
SEALION 5 DM-i122 Nm @ 4000-4500 rpm
Engine Size
EXTER1197 cc
SEALION 5 DM-i1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
EXTER16.9 km/l
SEALION 5 DM-i19.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
EXTER185 mm
SEALION 5 DM-i150 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Hyundai EXTER
1.2 Elite AMT Two Tone
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
EXTER
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
SEALION 5 DM-i
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
EXTER
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
SEALION 5 DM-i
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2026
Generation
Current South African EXTER listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
First South African SEALION 5 DM-i generation
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Compact SUV
SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Medium SUV
Tare Mass Kg
999 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Length
3815 mm
4738 mm
Width
1710 mm
1860 mm
Height
1631 mm
1710 mm
Wheelbase
2450 mm
2712 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
185 mm
150 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
52 l
Boot/Cargo Space
391 l
463 l
Kerb Weight
999 kg
1735 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not Officially Disclosed
2145 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
410 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
6.0 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
970 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
910 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1100 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
935 mm
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Multi-link
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Not Available
Automatic
Power Windows
Not Available
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Wireless
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard
Automatic Headlamps
Halogen with automatic function
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
-
AC Type
Not Available
Automatic
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Engine Warranty
4
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Seat Type
Cloth
-
Steering Mounted Controls
Multifunction
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
exter
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
flagship
-
Variant Role
Flagship / premium derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Engine
Not Officially Disclosed
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen EXTER grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Cloth
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
Synthetic leather
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Infotainment System
SYNC
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
Not Available
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
Standard
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Multifunction
-
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
12.8
Audio Controls On Steering
Multifunction
-
Rear Usb
Standard
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
Standard
-
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
12.8
Multi Information Display
Digital display
-
Connected Services
Standard
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Standard
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
12.8
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
LED Headlamps
Halogen with automatic function
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
H-signature LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
3
Atlantis Grey, Obsidian Black, Snow White, Time Grey
Body Type
SUV
-
DRL
H-signature LED
LED
Led Headlights
Halogen with automatic function
Standard
Auto Headlights
Halogen with automatic function
-
Automatic Headlamps
Halogen with automatic function
-
Daytime Running Lights
H-signature LED
LED
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlamp Levelling
Halogen with automatic function
-
Headlamps
Halogen with automatic function
Standard
Headlight Type
Halogen with automatic function
Standard
Headlights
Halogen with automatic function
Standard
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Approach Angle
Not Available
18 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
22 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
363.6 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Snow
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
185 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
185 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Tyre Size
Not Available
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
18
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Electronic parking brake
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Multifunction
-
Steering Wheel Phone Controls
Multifunction
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Battery Warranty
4
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45000 km
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45000 km
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Warranty Years
5
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Warranty Kilometers
5
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
CO2 Emissions
Not Applicable
27 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Particulate Filter
Not Available
-
Spec
EXTER
SEALION 5 DM-i
Ownership Role
Flagship
higher-equipment derivative
Price Zar
334900 ZAR
569900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
higher-equipment derivative
Starting Price
334900
569900
Starting Price Zar
334900
569900
In depth: how these cars differ
This EXTER and SEALION 5 DM-i comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: EXTER 19 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 39.
Efficiency index: EXTER 66 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 81.
Safety-equipment index: EXTER 84 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 92.
Practicality index: EXTER 65 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 61.
Ownership-cover index: EXTER 65 vs SEALION 5 DM-i not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
EXTER and SEALION 5 DM-i image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
SEALION 5 DM-i leads by 9 points
SEALION 5 DM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while EXTER remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEALION 5 DM-i
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
81/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
EXTER
Performance
19/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
65/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEALION 5 DM-i
leads the specification evidence index with 67 pts
vs 58 pts for EXTER
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEALION 5 DM-i leads. However, EXTER may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.