The electrified crossover scene is heating up with the arrival of more affordable models from Chinese auto manufacturers. For this spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be pitting the recently launched BYD Sealion 5 DM-i and MG ZS Hybrid+ against Toyota’s and Honda’s most affordable hybrid offerings, the Corolla Cross 1.8 G HEV and the HR-V RS e:HEV, respectively. While not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, this shows you a portion of a diverse range of electrified vehicles currently available on our market.
Among the four featured, only the Sealion 5 DM-i is a plug-in hybrid; the rest are self-charging hybrids. The Sealion 5’s electric motor is its main source of propulsion, while the gasoline mill acts as a generator for the battery pack. The other three electrified crossovers have a more conventional gasoline-electric parallel hybrid system with the capability of running on pure electric power at low speeds. The BYD and MG systems both produce 194hp, followed by the Honda with 129hp and the Toyota with 120hp.
All the featured electrified crossovers are front-wheel-drive and have unibody construction. They’re equipped with independent MacPherson strut suspension up front, but the Sealion 5 comes with independent multilink rear suspension. The other three have the more basic torsion beam setup at the back.
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Since these are crossovers, we need to talk about ground clearance. Leading the pack is the Honda with 196mm, followed by the Toyota with 161mm, the BYD with 156mm, and the MG with 140mm.
In terms of safety, the Corolla Cross 1.8 G HEV has the most airbags, but like the Sealion 5 DM-i, it lacks the long list of advanced driver-assist technologies found in the lower-priced ZS Hybrid+ and the more expensive HR-V RS e:HEV.
The four featured cars represent the most affordable hybrid crossover from each respective brand as of this writing. The Sealion 5 DM-i has the lowest asking price at at P1,248,000 (P1,198,000 introductory), followed by the ZS Hybrid+ at P1,328,888 (P1,248,888 introductory), the Corolla Cross 1.8 G HEV at P1,514,000, and the HR-V RS e:HEV at P1,799,000. Interestingly, the BYD happens to be the biggest in this group, while the Honda is the smallest.
Still not sure which hybrid SUV you’d like to drive home? Check out the specs we prepared and let us know which one you’d go for.
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i |
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 G HEV |
Honda HR-V RS e:HEV |
MG ZS Hybrid+ |
|
| Price (Philippine peso) | 1,248,000 (1,198,000 introductory) | 1,514,000 | 1,799,000 | 1,328,888 (1,248,888 introductory) |
| Drive | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Engine type | Range-extender 1.5-liter gasoline I4 | 1.8-liter gasoline I4 | 1.5-liter gasoline I4 | 1.5-liter gasoline I4 |
| Power (hp) | 105 | 97 | 105 | 100 |
| Torque (Nm) | 130 | 142 | 127 | 128 |
| Electric motor power (hp) | 194 | 71 | 129 | 134 |
| Electric motor torque (Nm) | 300 | 163 | 235 | 250 |
| Total system output (hp) | 194 | 120 | 129 | 194 |
| Fuel tank capacity (liters) | 52 | 36 | 40 | 41 |
| Transmission | e-CVT | e-CVT | e-CVT | 3-speed hybrid |
| Brakes (front/rear) | disc/ disc | disc/ disc | disc/ disc | disc/ disc |
| Wheels | 18-inch alloy | 17-inch alloy | 18-inch alloy | 18-inch alloy |
| Tires | 225/60 R18 | 215/60 R17 | 225/50 R18 | 215/50 R18 |
| Front suspension | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | independent multilink | torsion beam | torsion beam | torsion beam |
| Seat material | leather | fabric | leather | synthetic leather |
| Infotainment system | 10.1-inch touchscreen (rotating) | 10-inch touchscreen | 8-inch touchscreen | 12.3-inch touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Apple CarPlay + Android Auto | Apple CarPlay + Android Auto | Apple CarPlay + Android Auto | Apple CarPlay + Android Auto |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Airbags | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| ABS with electronic brake-force distribution | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Electronic stability control | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cruise control | yes | no | yes (adaptive) | yes (adaptive) |
| Hill-start assist | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forward collision warning | no | no | yes (part of CMBS) | yes |
| Collision mitigation system | no | no | yes (part of CMBS) | yes |
| Lane-keep assist | No | no | yes | yes |
| Lane-departure warning | no | no | yes | yes |
| Blind-spot monitor | no | no | LaneWatch camera (passenger side) | yes |
| Camera | rear | rear | multiview reverse | 360° view |
| Parking sensors | front + rear | rear | rear | rear |
| Headlights | LED | LED projector | LED | LED projector |
| Roof rail | yes | no | no | yes |
| Sunroof | no | no | no | panoramic |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4738 x 1860 x 1710 | 4460 x 1825 x 1620 | 4388 x 1790 x 1591 | 4430 x 1818 x 1635 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2712 | 2640 | 2610 | 2610 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 156 | 161 | 196 | 140 |
