ByRAMI GILBOA
  • Price (Comfort/Design): NIS 172,000/167,000
  • Competitors: JAC 7, Chery Tiggo 7, Umoda 7, Geely EX5
  • Pros: Powertrain, interior space, cabin quality, price
  • Cons: Ride comfort in city driving
  • Rating: 8.5/10

BYD offers a wide range of electric cars, including eye-catching models like the U9 supercar or the rugged BAO series off-road vehicles. These models inspire envy, but Chinese manufacturers target business in more popular and broader market segments. Over the past two years, BYD has led the Israeli market with about 33,000 Atto 3 units sold like hotcakes, making it the best-selling model.

However, in 2025, public enthusiasm for fully electric models cooled. Sales pendulum has shifted toward plug-in hybrids, which offer most of the benefits of electric driving without suffering from range anxiety. The sales crown this year went to the JAC 7 plug-in, which recorded 15,000 deliveries.

The plug-in category includes a large selection of models, some selling for NIS 0.5 million or more. The BYD Sealion 5 takes a popular approach with its base Comfort model priced at NIS 167,000. The higher-end Design model costs NIS 172,000, and for the additional NIS 5,000, you get a larger battery (18.3 kWh instead of 12.96 kWh in the test car), electric trunk opening, heated front seats, wireless charging, and other minor features. Both are NIS 10,000 cheaper than the most basic JAC 7, which is much less equipped.

With an overall length of 4.74 meters, the Sealion 5 is also longer than its closest competitors, leading the category in “price per meter.” Will all this allow the Sealion 5 to bring BYD back to the top of Israel’s sales chart?

Longer and more spacious than most of its closest competitors.
Longer and more spacious than most of its closest competitors. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Design: The Sealion 5 is based on the design of the previous Atto 3, introduced about four years ago. The body, which was aesthetically modern back then, remains attractive, but signs of aging can already be seen in the body lines, especially the relatively heavy and outdated front end. The 5 is pleasant to look at but struggles to stand out against newer designs. It is a classic family crossover, a large and spacious vehicle for five passengers and their luggage. It is longer than the long versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Peugeot 3008, and even the seven-seat Chery Tiggo 8.

The central console is relatively wide, reducing knee space. There are more physical switches than usual nowadays.
The central console is relatively wide, reducing knee space. There are more physical switches than usual nowadays. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Interior: The Sealion 5 is high-quality and spacious for five passengers, with a variety of pleasant-to-touch materials. The dashboard has curved lines, which look somewhat outdated, especially with chrome-trimmed air vents. We liked the light colors of the upholstery and trims. The dashboard connects to the central console with large arcs that slightly reduce the sense of space for front passengers. Legroom is sufficient, but the feeling is a bit tight for my personal taste. We were happy to find a large storage compartment under the console.

The rear seat is very spacious, with a flat floor.
The rear seat is very spacious, with a flat floor. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

At the center of the dashboard is a 12.8-inch multimedia screen, bright and responsive. Below it is a row of touch buttons for air conditioning, with direct access to fan speed and cooling via swipe gestures on the display. It’s nice and sophisticated, though you still have to dig into menus. A voice assistant allows AC operation by speech; it works but is rather clumsy, and you end up using the screen.

The screen layout is logical and easy to get used to. We were happy to find two physical scroll wheels on the steering wheel for volume control, along with several additional physical switches around the gear lever for selecting hybrid or electric driving, driving modes (normal, sporty, economical), and other functions. An 8.8-inch dashboard behind the steering wheel displays range, road view, and more.

The seating position is high and the windows are large.
The seating position is high and the windows are large. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Seating position is good, with electric adjustment for the front seats. The headrest is connected to the lower part of the seat. The rear seat is very spacious, and the floor is completely flat. Comfortable for three passengers, with air vents and two charging ports. Neither trim level has a sunroof, and the trunk is large: 463 liters without a spare wheel.

Equipment: The base Comfort model (from NIS 167,000) comes with 18-inch wheels, artificial leather seats, an 8.8-inch digital dashboard, and a 12.8-inch multimedia screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. For the first time in BYD, the gimmick of screen rotation was abandoned. It also has rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a DVR dashcam.

The more equipped Design model (NIS 172,000) adds an electric tailgate, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree camera.

On the left, a gasoline engine for battery charging and propulsion. On the right, the electronic control unit with the electric motor beneath it. The battery is mounted at the rear.
On the left, a gasoline engine for battery charging and propulsion. On the right, the electronic control unit with the electric motor beneath it. The battery is mounted at the rear. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Engine Performance: Two engines are installed in the Sealion 5’s front: A 1.5-liter gasoline engine serving mainly as a generator to charge the battery, supplying power after the relatively small battery is depleted (12.9 kWh in the test car, 18.3 kWh in the higher Design version). The combined power of the engines is 213 hp, giving the 5 a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 7.7 seconds. Not a record-breaking figure, but provides sufficient agility for starts and overtaking. The electric control system keeps the battery charged at at least 25%, so even when it seems empty, you still get decent acceleration and an electric driving feel. Gasoline engine operation is hidden and quiet, though under pressure and acceleration, the piston noise can be heard. At speeds above 100 km/h, there is a fairly strong wind noise.

With a full battery, we easily covered 60 kilometers on pure electric power. Fuel consumption remains good even when the battery runs low.
With a full battery, we easily covered 60 kilometers on pure electric power. Fuel consumption remains good even when the battery runs low. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Electric Range, Fuel Consumption, and Charging: Consumption and range figures are somewhat elusive in a plug-in hybrid, but one thing is clear: Achieving the pure electric range of 63 km is not a problem—we did it twice. About 60 km of electric range will allow most users to go days without using gasoline, a significant advantage for those charging at home.

The Sealion‑5 can be charged at a public station, but home charging is the economically correct solution.
The Sealion‑5 can be charged at a public station, but home charging is the economically correct solution. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

In HEV hybrid driving, switching between electric and gasoline propulsion, we achieved over 24 km per liter of gasoline, whether the battery was full or partially charged. This is excellent, better than hybrid crossovers like the Tucson or Sportage. When battery charge dropped to 25%, pure electric mode was unavailable; even then, we drove 21-23 km per liter (depending on traffic pace). This is better than the manufacturer’s claim and occurred during calm intercity driving. Suburban or city driving would likely yield even better efficiency. These results indicate the high efficiency of BYD’s Blade battery and sophisticated management of electric and gasoline systems.

The Sealion 5 only has slow AC charging up to 3.5 kW, with full charge taking 4-5 hours. Most of the time, you will charge the 5 at home, as DC fast charging is not economically justified even if available. The practical approach is to leave home with a full battery; once depleted, the vehicle switches to gasoline. Even with an empty battery, regenerative braking provides additional electric assistance.

Ride Comfort and Road Behavior: Ride comfort on good roads is satisfactory, but on broken or uneven asphalt, it is less comfortable. In city driving, the 5 can jolt passengers on road imperfections. It does not have the refinement of more expensive vehicles, but for its price, comfort level is acceptable.

Don’t count on off-road driving, although the 5 handles well on good trails.
Don’t count on off-road driving, although the 5 handles well on good trails. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Road behavior is predictable and neutral, though steering is light and lacks feedback. This is not a sports car; it is suitable for family use. The 5 comes with dynamic safety systems such as lane-keeping, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

We liked the cruise control, but the lane-keeping system is overly intrusive, requiring deep menu navigation to disable. The system also issues many unnecessary alerts like “turn on lights,” “stop for a coffee break,” “look at the road.” The voice assistant in Hebrew is fairly competent for basic actions: Open and close windows, adjust AC or volume, etc. More amusing than truly effective.

A high-quality and welcoming space for families who want to maintain a relatively modest budget.
A high-quality and welcoming space for families who want to maintain a relatively modest budget. (credit: Walla system, Rami Gilboa)

Bottom Line: The BYD Sealion 5 is a crossover combining attractive pricing with a large, spacious body, fuel savings, and elimination of range anxiety. It is not a luxurious vehicle and has rough edges, mainly in city ride comfort. On the other hand, it is safe and well-equipped, with an efficient and pleasant powertrain. BYD has a good reputation in Israel, and the manufacturer provides a 6-year (150,000 km) warranty. These factors are likely to convince many customers to park this new Chinese plug-in at home.

The base model tested here targets buyers and lessees who rarely plug in and rely on self-charging. Unlike many other plug-ins, the Sealion 5 still achieves low fuel consumption, superior to non-plug-in hybrids, over 20 km per liter. Even buyers attracted by government tax benefits for plug-ins will enjoy low fuel costs without worrying about charging.

Technical Specifications: BYD Sealion‑5 DM‑i Comfort

Engines: 1.5 L turbo gasoline + electric motor, combined output 213 hp

Transmission: Automatic, direct drive, front‑wheel drive

Electric System:

  • Battery Capacity (kWh): 12.96
  • AC Slow Charging (kW): 3.5
  • DC Fast Charging (kW): None

Performance (Manufacturer):

  • 0‑100 km/h (seconds): 7.7
  • Top Speed (km/h): 170
  • Electric Range (Manufacturer, km): 63
  • Electric Range (Test, km): 60
  • Combined Fuel Consumption with Charged Battery (Manufacturer, km/l): 37
  • Combined Fuel Consumption with Charged Battery (Test, km/l): 24
  • Combined Fuel Consumption with Uncharged Battery (Manufacturer, km/l): 18.2
  • Combined Fuel Consumption with Uncharged Battery (Test, km/l): 21

Dimensions:

  • Length (m): 4.74
  • Width (m): 1.86
  • Height (m): 1.71
  • Wheelbase (m): 2.71
  • Trunk Volume (L): 563
  • Weight (kg): 1,799

Safety:

  • Euro NCAP Crash Test Rating: Not yet tested

Active Safety:

Autonomous emergency braking (forward & reverse), adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, automatic high beams, and more

Warranty:

6 years or 150,000 km on the vehicle, 8 years or 200,000 km on the battery