If you feel like the BYD launches have been never-ending as of late, well, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong, either. Shortly after launching the eMax 7, BYD Cars Philippines is back with yet another new model: the Sealion 5 DM-i.
As the name suggests, this is the Sealion 6’s ‘smaller sibling’ and slots right in the subcompact crossover segment despite being just a tad smaller. It lands in arguably one of the most stacked portions of the market right now, which is why the Sealion 5 DM-i has its work cut out for it.
In terms of design, the Sealion 5 has this sharp, fresh look. Up front, aggressive-looking headlights adorn the front fascia, enclosing the wide, gaping grille with the horizontal slats. On the lip are silver trim that give the crossover a beefier look.
The rear looks a bit tamer, with bulky plastic cladding underneath and a lightbar on the tailgate. There’s also a small spoiler on top. It sits on 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod in 225/60 R18 tires.
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BYD Sealion 5 DM-i 2025 specs and features
The interior is very much a BYD. The buttons, knobs, and, of course, the large, rotating display on the dashboard are all familiar. There’s a mix of leather, fabric, and hard plastics around the cabin dominated by beige and brown trim.
The Sealion 5 DM-i is powered by the same range-extended hybrid system, or what BYD calls its Super DM-i technology. It packs a 1.5-liter gasoline generator powering the front motors that produce 194hp and 300Nm of torque. It has the same horsepower output as the Sealion 6 but with 50Nm less. EV-only range is 71km, while estimated maximum range with a full tank and a fully charged battery is about 1,100km.
Extra features include the aforementioned display that comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, speed-sensing door locks, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver-assist systems, however, are unavailable.
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i 2025 Philippine prices
Only one variant of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i is available, and it’s priced at P1.248 million. BYD Cars Philippines, however, is offering it at an introductory price of P1.198 million. It can also be had with an P88,000 down payment. Color options include Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black, Aurora White, and Harbour Grey.
What do you think of BYD’s newest offering? Sound off in the comments.
