VS
At a Glance
Power
156 kW
160 kW
Torque
300 Nm
300 Nm
Fuel
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 coL/100km
4.8 combined l/100km
0-100 km/h
8.3 s
8.5 s
Engine
1498 cc
1498 cc
Choosing between the BYD Sealion 5 and the BYD Sealion 6 is one of the most common decisions car buyers in South Africa face. The BYD Sealion 5 delivers 156 kW while the BYD Sealion 6 produces 160 kW. On fuel, the Sealion 5 returns 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 coL/100km while the Sealion 6 uses 4.8 combined l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R569 900 for the Sealion 5 and R639 900 for the Sealion 6. 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.
Specification
BYD Sealion 51.5 Dynamic (phev) 2025 - From R569 900
BYD Sealion 61.5 Comfort (phev) 2025 - From R639 900
Performance
Power Output
156 kW
160 kW
Torque
300 Nm
300 Nm
0-100 kph
8.3 s
8.5 s
Top Speed
170 Km/h
170 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
1498 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
-
-
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 coL/100km
4.8 combined l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 litre + 13.0 kWh l
60 litre + 18.3 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
27 when hybrid battery charged g/km
24 when hybrid battery charged g/km
Dimensions
Length
4738 mm
4775 mm
Width
1860 mm
1890 mm
Height
1710 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
2712 mm
2765 mm
Ground Clearance
150 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1735 Kg
1930 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
463-1410 l
425-1440 l
Towing & Payload
Load Capacity
—
410 lkg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
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
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery
5 vehicle / 8 battery
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
Service Intervals
20000
20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BYD Sealion 5
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Sealion 6
Fuel Economy
Sealion 5
Value
Sealion 5
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
BYD Sealion 5
Better fuel economy (1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 coL/100km)
Lower starting price (R569 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.3 ss)
Less power than rival (156 kW vs 160 kW)
BYD Sealion 6
More powerful engine (160 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (4.8 combined l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sealion 5 or Sealion 6?
The Sealion 5 uses 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 coL/100km and the Sealion 6 uses 4.8 combined l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sealion 5 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Sealion 5 or Sealion 6?
The Sealion 5 produces 156 kW and 300 Nm of torque while the Sealion 6 delivers 160 kW and 300 Nm of torque. They produce closely matched power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Sealion 5 and Sealion 6?
The Sealion 5 starts from R569 900 and the Sealion 6 from R639 900. The Sealion 5 is cheaper by R70 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Sealion 5 or the Sealion 6?
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.