VS
At a Glance
Power
130 kW
156 kW
Torque
305 Nm
300 Nm
Fuel
7.7 l/100km
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 co
0-100 km/h
7.8 s
8.3 s
Engine
1498 cc
1498 cc
Choosing between the BAIC Beijing X55 and the BYD Sealion 5 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BAIC Beijing X55 delivers 130 kW while the BYD Sealion 5 produces 156 kW. On fuel, the Beijing X55 returns 7.7 l/100km while the Sealion 5 uses 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R429 900 for the Beijing X55 and R569 900 for the Sealion 5. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
130 kW
156 kW
Torque
305 Nm
300 Nm
0-100 kph
7.8 s
8.3 s
Top Speed
—
170 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
1498 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
—
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.7 l/100km
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 co
Fuel Tank Capacity
53 l
52 litre + 13.0 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
181 g/km
27 when hybrid battery charged g/km
Dimensions
Length
4620 mm
4738 mm
Width
1886 mm
1860 mm
Height
1680 mm
1710 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2712 mm
Ground Clearance
160 mm
150 mm
Kerb Weight
1480 Kg
1735 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
350 l
463-1410 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5 vehicle / 8 battery
Warranty Distance
150000 Km
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
5
—
Service Plan Distance
60000
—
Service Intervals
15000
20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BYD Sealion 5
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Sealion 5
Fuel Economy
Sealion 5
Value
Beijing X55
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
BAIC Beijing X55
Lower starting price (R429 900)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (7.8 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (7.7 l/100km)
Less power than rival (130 kW vs 156 kW)
BYD Sealion 5
More powerful engine (156 kW)
Better fuel economy (1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Beijing X55 or Sealion 5?
The Beijing X55 uses 7.7 l/100km and the Sealion 5 uses 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sealion 5 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Beijing X55 or Sealion 5?
The Beijing X55 produces 130 kW and 305 Nm of torque while the Sealion 5 delivers 156 kW and 300 Nm of torque. The Sealion 5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Beijing X55 and Sealion 5?
The Beijing X55 starts from R429 900 and the Sealion 5 from R569 900. The Beijing X55 is cheaper by R140 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Beijing X55 or the Sealion 5?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.