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.
BYD SEALION 5 DM-i vs Ford Transit Custom: the short answer
Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.
SEALION 5 DM-i starts ZAR 260,100 cheaperSEALION 5 DM-i from ZAR 509,900 · Transit Custom from ZAR 770,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Maximum Power
SEALION 5 DM-i72 kW @ 6000 rpm
Transit Custom100 kW
Maximum Torque
SEALION 5 DM-i122 Nm @ 4000-4500 rpm
Transit Custom360 Nm
Engine Size
SEALION 5 DM-i1498 cc
Transit Custom1996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
SEALION 5 DM-i19.2 km/l
Transit Custom12.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
SEALION 5 DM-i150 mm
Transit Custom130 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Model Introduced Year
2026
Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation
First South African SEALION 5 DM-i generation
Current South African Transit Custom listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Panel van
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Medium SUV
Van
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Van
Color Note
-
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
-
Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Wheelbase Type
-
Long wheelbase
Tare Mass Kg
-
1756 kg
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Length
4738 mm
5450 mm
Width
1860 mm
2032 mm
Height
1710 mm
1979 mm
Wheelbase
2712 mm
3500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
130 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
463 l
484 l
Kerb Weight
1735 kg
1756 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2145 kg
3025 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
1269 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
3 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.0 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
970 mm
984 mm
Rear Headroom
910 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1100 mm
1047 mm
Rear Legroom
935 mm
881 mm
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Engine
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 Transit Custom grade before assuming a feature is included.
Interior Colours
-
3
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Climate Control
Automatic
Not Available
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Standard
Not Available
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic
Not Available
Load Bed Length
-
2602 mm
Load Bed Width
-
1392 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Applicable
Adaptive Dampers
-
Not Available
Performance Data Logger
-
Not Available
Rev Matching
-
Not Available
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
-
2602 mm
Loadbox Rope Hooks
-
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
-
Not Available
Loadbox Width Mm
-
1392 mm
One Pedal Driving
-
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
-
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
-
Not Available
Source Model Column
-
transit-custom
Sport Plus Mode
-
Not Available
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
base
Variant Role
-
Commercial utility derivative
Vehicle To Grid
-
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
-
Not Available
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Infotainment System
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Not Available
Android Auto
Standard
Not Available
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Not Available
Number of Speakers
6
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
12.8
SYNC
Touchscreen
12.8
SYNC
Infotainment Screen Size
12.8
SYNC
Connected Services
-
SYNC
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Not Available
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Atlantis Grey, Obsidian Black, Snow White, Time Grey
3
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Body Type
-
Van
Exterior Colour Options
-
3
Load Bed Liner
-
Not Available
Active Exhaust
-
Not Available
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Approach Angle
18 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle
22 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
363.6 mm
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Snow
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
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
-
130 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
130 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
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Tyre Size
225/60 R18
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
18
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Not Applicable
Fifth Wheel Prep
-
Not Available
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Not Available
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
MagneRide Damping
-
Not Available
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
CO2 Emissions
27 g/km
Not Applicable
Hybrid System Type
-
Not Available
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Diesel
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Service Plan
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
Maintenance Plan
-
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
Service Plan Duration
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
Service Plan Distance
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Ownership Role
higher-equipment derivative
Base
Price Zar
569900 ZAR
770000 ZAR
Pricing Role
higher-equipment derivative
Current listed price
Starting Price
569900
770000
Starting Price Zar
569900
770000
Spec
SEALION 5 DM-i
Transit Custom
Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Years
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
4 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
5 years / unlimited km
Basic Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
4 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This SEALION 5 DM-i and Transit Custom comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.
Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.
Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.
Model imagery
SEALION 5 DM-i and Transit Custom image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.
Fail closed
Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.
Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.
What the evidence means
No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.
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.
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