Toyota fights back—sort of. The BYD Seal 5 DM-i initially owned the sub-P1.2-million electrified sedan segment until the arrival of the all-new Toyota Ativ HEV. While the Ativ isn’t a plug-in hybrid, it gives the BYD sedan a legitimate electrified rival.
For this spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be comparing the Ativ HEV against the top-trim Seal 5 DM-i Premium. Both of these sedans cost exactly P1,198,000. Coincidence? It’s Toyota versus BYD, hybrid versus plug-in hybrid, each sedan catering to different needs and priorities.
The very first thing you notice is the size difference between the two. The BYD sedan is a lot of car for its subcompact price tag. The Toyota sedan, on the other hand, is pretty much an average-size subcompact four-door that matches its pricing. For those wondering, the Seal 5 is 355mm longer and 97mm wider than the Ativ. Both vehicles have a 160mm ground clearance, which is quite good by modern sedan standards.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Explainer: What does ‘State of National Energy Emergency’ mean?
PBBM signs bill allowing him to reduce or remove fuel excise taxes
The Ativ HEV is self-charging, while the Seal 5 has to be plugged in to fully charge its much larger battery pack. The Toyota’s main power unit is a 1.5-liter internal combustion gasoline engine, while the BYD’s main power unit is an electric motor, which, as expected, offers more power and torque as well as quicker acceleration times.
In the safety department, both have the usual kit you’d expect at this price point: six airbags, ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control. The Toyota goes a step further by offering advanced driver-assist systems as standard, including features like adaptive cruise control and a collision mitigation system. Both sedans offer 360-view cameras.
When it comes to tech and convenience features, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charger are standard on both electrified vehicles. The BYD comes with a larger center touchscreen that rotates. When it comes to extras, the Seal 5 Premium also throws in a six-way power driver’s seat and a sunroof. Both sedans offer rear A/C vents—a must in our warm climate.
While pitting these two cars against each other isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, they’re still cross-shopped because of their identical pricing. Both offer something unique; each has its own strengths. If you’re still not quite sure which one to take home, check out the specs table below and let us know in the comments which electrified sedan you’d crown as the winner.
BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium |
Toyota Ativ HEV |
|
| Price (Philippine peso) | P1,198,000 | P1,198,000 |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Main power unit | electric motor | 1.5-liter I4 gasoline engine |
| Power (hp) | 194 | 90 |
| Torque (Nm) | 325 | 121 |
| Assisting power unit | 1.5-liter I4 gasoline engine | electric motor |
| Electric motor power (hp) | 105 | 79 |
| Transmission | e-CVT | e-CVT |
| Paddle shifters | no | no |
| Brakes (front/rear) | disc/disc | disc/disc |
| Wheels | 17-inch alloy | 16-inch alloy |
| Tires | 215/55 R17 | 195/60 R16 |
| Front suspension | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | torsion beam | torsion beam |
| Seat material | leather | leather |
| Driver’s seat | 6-way power | 6-way power |
| Front passenger seat | 4-way manual | 4-way manual |
| Infotainment system | 12.8-inch touchscreen (rotating) | 10.1-inch touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto |
| Wireless charger | no | yes |
| Speakers | 8 | 6 |
| Rear A/C vents | yes | yes |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| ABS with EBD | yes | yes |
| Electronic stability control | yes | yes |
| Traction control | yes | yes |
| Cruise control | yes | yes (adaptive) |
| Hill-start assist | yes | yes |
| Collision mitigation system | no | yes |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | no | yes |
| Lane-keep assist | no | yes |
| Blind-spot monitor | yes | yes |
| Camera | 360-view | 360-view |
| Parking sensors | front + rear | front + rear |
| Headlights | LED | LED |
| Taillights | LED | LED |
| Sunroof | yes | no |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4,780 x 1,837 x 1,495 | 4,425 x 1,740 x 1,480 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,718 | 2,620 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 160 | 160 |
