BYD's new second-generation Sealion 05 DM-i is the plug-in hybrid version of its compact SUV — and it's a bargain. Where the all-electric Sealion 05 is a pure EV, the DM-i pairs a 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor and a bigger battery for up to 305 km of electric-only range and a remarkable 2,105 km of total combined range, all from a starting price of around RMB 97,900 (~$14,360). With hybrid-mode fuel consumption of just 3.1 L/100 km, BYD's latest fifth-generation DM-i tech, optional LiDAR-based driver assistance and a comfortable five-seat cabin, it's one of the most affordable ways to get a long-range, low-running-cost family SUV.
Performance & Specs
The Sealion 05 DM-i uses BYD's latest fifth-generation DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine (74 kW / 99 hp) with a front electric drive motor making 120 kW (161 hp) and 210 Nm, driving the front wheels. As a DM-i, it's tuned for efficiency and smoothness rather than outright speed: the reviewer's on-screen spec sheet quotes a 0–100 km/h of around 7.9 seconds and a top speed of about 170 km/h. The real magic is in the numbers that matter for daily use — up to 305 km of electric range, up to 2,105 km of total combined range, and just 3.1 L/100 km of fuel use once the battery is depleted. It can run as an EV for the vast majority of commutes, then cover huge distances on a single tank.
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid (5th-gen DM-i) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L four-cylinder (74 kW / 99 hp) |
| E-motor | 120 kW (161 hp) |
| 0–100 km/h | ~7.9 s |
| Battery | 26.6 / 34.3 kWh Blade LFP |
| EV range | up to 305 km (CLTC) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Plug-in hybrid (5th-gen DM-i) |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5L four-cylinder (74 kW / 99 hp) |
| ELECTRIC MOTOR | 120 kW (161 hp) / 210 Nm |
| ACCELERATION | 0–100 km/h ~7.9 s |
| DRIVETRAIN | Front-wheel drive |
| BATTERY | 26.6 kWh / 34.3 kWh Blade LFP |
| EV / COMBINED RANGE | 305 km / 2,105 km (CLTC) |
| FUEL USE | 3.1 L/100 km (depleted) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,620 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,770 mm |
| Ground clearance | ~118 mm |
At 4,620 mm long with a 2,770 mm wheelbase, the Sealion 05 DM-i is a practical compact family SUV. It seats five, and the reviewer found a usable boot of around 508 litres with the rear seats up (some sources quote a larger figure), along with comfortable rear legroom and headroom thanks to the flat floor and tall roofline. There's a 65-litre fuel tank — large for a compact SUV, and the key to that 2,105 km combined range. It rides on 18-inch wheels with 215/55 R18 tyres, and a panoramic glass roof with a powered sunshade brightens the cabin. Ground clearance of around 118 mm keeps it car-like to drive while still handling rough roads.
| LENGTH | 4,620 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,860 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,630 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,770 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | ~508 L |
| FUEL TANK | 65 L |
Charging & Battery
The Sealion 05 DM-i offers two BYD Blade LFP batteries: a 26.6 kWh pack for the 220 km trims and a larger 34.3 kWh pack for the 305 km trims. Both use BYD's safe, durable lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry that's happy being charged to 100% daily. The car has separate AC and DC charging ports; a full AC charge takes roughly three to five hours depending on the pack, while DC fast charging is supported for quicker mid-journey boosts (BYD hasn't published an exact DC time). As a plug-in hybrid, most owners will run it as an EV around town and barely visit the petrol station — but the 1.5-litre engine and 65-litre tank are there for worry-free long trips.
| BATTERY | 26.6 kWh / 34.3 kWh Blade LFP |
|---|---|
| EV RANGE | 220 km / 305 km (CLTC) |
| AC CHARGING | ~3–5 hours (full) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | Supported (time not published) |
Design & Interior
The new Sealion 05 DM-i shares its clean, modern look with the electric Sealion 05, and it's a clear step up from the previous generation. Up front there's a closed body-colour nose (the DM-i keeps a functional lower intake for engine cooling), slim full-LED headlights and a BYD wordmark, while the rear gets a full-width connected LED tail-light bar. Inside, the cabin mixes light cream leather with darker trim, a clean dashboard built around the central touchscreen, a two-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, and that big panoramic glass roof. Higher trims add features like the larger floating screen, a refrigerator and ambient lighting. It feels noticeably more upmarket than its budget price suggests.
Technology & Features
The dashboard centres on a 12.8-inch touchscreen (or a 15.6-inch floating unit on higher trims) running BYD's smart cockpit, paired with an 8.8-inch driver display. Connected navigation, voice control and over-the-air updates are included. On the driver-assistance front, the standard DiPilot 100 system provides adaptive cruise, lane-centring and sign recognition, while top trims can be optioned with the LiDAR-equipped DiPilot 300 for navigation-assisted driving — advanced features that are rare at this price. Note that the head-up display is reserved for the highest trim; the version walked through here didn't have it.
Safety & ADAS
The Sealion 05 DM-i comes with a surround-view camera, parking sensors, seven airbags and BYD's standard active-safety package. The Blade LFP battery also brings BYD's well-regarded thermal stability to the safety story. Buyers wanting the most capable assisted driving can step up to the optional DiPilot 300 system with LiDAR for highway and urban navigation assist.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (DiPilot 100 std / DiPilot 300 LiDAR optional) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Adaptive cruise, lane-centring, sign recognition, 360° camera, LiDAR NOA (optional) |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | BATTERY | EV RANGE | COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 Starter | 120 kW | 26.6 kWh | 220 km | ~2,000 km | ~$14,360 (¥97,900) | Entry trim |
| 220 Smart Navigator | 120 kW | 26.6 kWh | 220 km | ~2,000 km | ~$17,295 (¥117,900) | Added tech, smaller battery |
| 305 Navigator | 120 kW | 34.3 kWh | 305 km | 2,105 km | ~$17,295 (¥117,900) | Bigger battery, long EV range |
| 305 Smart Navigator | 120 kW | 34.3 kWh | 305 km | 2,105 km | ~$18,760 (¥127,900) | Top trim, optional LiDAR |
Pricing & Availability
The second-generation Sealion 05 DM-i launched in China in April 2026, priced from about RMB 97,900 (~$14,360) for the entry 220 Starter to roughly RMB 127,900 (~$18,760) for the 305 Smart Navigator. The 305 km long-range trims start at around RMB 117,900 (~$17,295). That makes it one of the cheapest plug-in hybrid SUVs with this much electric range anywhere. For now it's a China-market model, sold through BYD's Ocean network.
How It Compares
The Sealion 05 DM-i's headline advantage is electric range for the money. Its 305 km EV range comfortably beats the Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i (101–130 km), the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV (~93 km) and even the larger Haval H6 PHEV (~180 km), all while undercutting most of them on price. The Geely is marginally cheaper but offers a fraction of the electric range, and the Chery and Haval can't match the BYD's combined 2,105 km figure either. For buyers who want maximum electric commuting plus genuine long-distance ability on a tight budget, the Sealion 05 DM-i is hard to beat.
- Up to 305 km EV range and 2,105 km combined — class-leading
- Very low starting price of around $14,360
- Just 3.1 L/100km fuel use in hybrid mode
- Optional LiDAR-based DiPilot 300 assisted driving
- Front-wheel drive only, modest ~7.9s 0-100
- HUD reserved for the top trim only
- China-only for now, with no AWD option
The 2026 BYD Sealion 05 DM-i is a brilliant budget all-rounder. By adding a 1.5-litre engine and a 65-litre tank to a big-battery plug-in setup, BYD has created a compact SUV that commutes silently on electricity for up to 305 km, then keeps going for a total of 2,105 km — all from around $14,360 and sipping just 3.1 L/100km. It's not fast and it's front-drive only, but as cheap, efficient, long-range family transport with surprisingly advanced optional tech, it's outstanding value. Alongside the all-electric Sealion 05, the DM-i gives buyers a no-range-anxiety choice that's tough to argue with at the price.
