# BYD Sealion 05 (海狮05) (2025)
**BYD Sealion 05** (海狮05) is a compact sport-utility vehicle sold by the Chinese automaker BYD in two powertrain versions: the Sealion 05 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid launched in China on September 23, 2024, and the Sealion 05 EV, a battery-electric version launched on March 25, 2025[1](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/) • [2](https://cnevpost.com/2025/03/25/byd-launches-sealion-05-ev/). The Sealion 05 DM-i was the second model in BYD's Sealion series, after the Sealion 07 EV, and the first plug-in hybrid in that series[1](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body and size | Compact five-seater SUV, 4,710 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, 1,720 mm high, 2,712 mm wheelbase[1](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/) |
| DM-i launch | September 23, 2024 in China, four variants priced 112,800–142,800 yuan (about US$15,980 at launch)[1](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/) • [3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html) |
| DM-i powertrain | Fifth-generation DM hybrid: 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, 74 kW (99 hp), plus a 120 kW (160 hp) electric motor[4](https://carnewschina.com/2024/09/23/byd-sealion-05-dm-i-launched-in-china-starts-at-15980-usd/) |
| DM-i battery and consumption | 18.3 kWh Blade LFP pack, 115 km CLTC electric range, 3.79 L/100 km NEDC fuel consumption with a depleted battery[3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html) |
| EV launch | March 25, 2025 in China, from 117,800 yuan (about US$16,230), on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 Evo[2](https://cnevpost.com/2025/03/25/byd-launches-sealion-05-ev/) |
| Driver assistance | God's Eye C (DiPilot 100) standard on the EV, using 12 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors[5](https://carnewschina.com/2025/05/03/sunday-china-drive-byd-sealion-05-ev-compact-polished-and-priced-to-win/) |
## Naming and position in the BYD range
BYD sells its passenger cars through two domestic networks, Dynasty and Ocean, and the Sealion 05 belongs to Ocean, whose models carry sea-themed names and the "Ocean" design language[3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html) • [6](https://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/noticias/byd-sea-lion-05-e-novo-suv-do-king-com-motores-do-song-pro-e-preco-de-onix/). The DM-i version and the second-generation Song Pro DM-i were launched on the same day as mechanically identical sister models, differing mainly in sales network and styling details[1](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/) • [3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html). In export markets the car appears as the Sealion 5, and reviewers note it should not be confused with the larger Sealion 6 (the export version of the Song Plus) or the electric Sealion 7 crossover[7](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/byd/sealion-5).
## Sealion 05 DM-i (plug-in hybrid)
The DM-i pairs a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine rated at 74 kW (99 hp) with a 120 kW (160 hp) electric motor, built on BYD's fifth-generation DM hybrid technology[4](https://carnewschina.com/2024/09/23/byd-sealion-05-dm-i-launched-in-china-starts-at-15980-usd/). The launch range in China comprised four variants priced from 112,800 to 142,800 yuan[3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html). The top battery is an 18.3 kWh pack giving 115 km of CLTC electric range, and BYD quotes 3.79 L/100 km (NEDC) when driving with the battery depleted[3](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html). A Chinese press test measured battery-drain fuel consumption of 3.56 L/100 km[8](https://www.bitauto.com/global/news/100195496306.html).
In export specification the same car is rated at 173 kW of combined system output with up to 1,400 km of combined CLTC range and more than 75 km of electric-only range[9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znr7cvPdcfI). UK-market cars carry either a smaller or larger battery, both limited to 3.3 kW AC charging with no DC fast charging, taking four and a half or six hours on a home wallbox respectively; the electric motor alone produces 194 bhp and does most of the driving, with the engine mainly acting as a generator[7](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/byd/sealion-5). A UK first drive of the larger-battery Design version recorded 53 miles of zero-emission range within a 631-mile overall range, against 38 and 616 miles for the Comfort trim[10](https://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews/article/13971/-/2026-BYD-Sealion%2B5/First%2Bdrive%253A%2BDM-i%2BDesign%2B18.3kWh.html). Reviewers describe the system as smooth and EV-like in normal driving, with a noticeable lag of several seconds when full power calls the engine into play[7](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/byd/sealion-5) • [10](https://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews/article/13971/-/2026-BYD-Sealion%2B5/First%2Bdrive%253A%2BDM-i%2BDesign%2B18.3kWh.html).
## Sealion 05 EV (battery electric)
The battery-electric version launched in China on March 25, 2025, starting at 117,800 yuan (US$16,230), and was the first Sealion 05 variant to offer BYD's God's Eye C advanced driver-assistance system as standard[2](https://cnevpost.com/2025/03/25/byd-launches-sealion-05-ev/). God's Eye C, also called DiPilot 100, combines 12 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors for highway-oriented assistance features[5](https://carnewschina.com/2025/05/03/sunday-china-drive-byd-sealion-05-ev-compact-polished-and-priced-to-win/). Launch variants covered 430 km and 520 km (CLTC), priced at 117,800, 127,800, and 137,800 yuan for the 430KM, 520KM, and 520KM [Signature](https://www.edgepedia.org/signature) trims[11](https://data.carnewschina.com/database/byd/sea-lion-05ev/2025/params).
BYD's 2025 interim report describes the SEALION 05 EV as an A-class battery-electric SUV with MacPherson front suspension and five-link independent rear suspension, a 4.65 m turning radius described as the smallest in its class, and more than 100 core standard features; the China Automotive Consumer Research and Testing Center (CCRT) named it a recommended compact new energy SUV[12](https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0829/2025082902216.pdf). The 2026 model year added a 630 km version, made the car rear-wheel drive throughout, adopted the second-generation [Blade battery](https://www.edgepedia.org/blade-battery), and supports 9-minute flash charging from 10% to 97% state of charge[13](https://auto.sina.cn/2026-09-18/detail-inisewtq8746354.d.html).
## Markets and reception
The Sealion 5 DM-i has been exported widely, including to the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Egypt, and is positioned below the Sealion 6 in price; in the Philippines the Sealion 6 DM-i costs about 350,000 pesos more while adding the full DiPilot ADAS suite and roughly 100 km more driving range[14](https://www.topgear.com.ph/drives/car-reviews/first-drive-byd-sealion-5-2025-a6888-20250721). Philippine reviewers found the ride absorbed potholes well with little bounce, which they attributed to the car's relatively light weight for its class[14](https://www.topgear.com.ph/drives/car-reviews/first-drive-byd-sealion-5-2025-a6888-20250721).
In a 2024 Autohome winter endurance test of hybrid SUVs priced between 100,000 and 200,000 yuan, the Sealion 05 DM-i recorded 106.9 km of achieved electric range in low temperatures, placing it behind the Wuling Xingguang S (129.6 km) and several BYD siblings such as the Song Plus (151.3 km) in that comparison[15](https://nfiles3four.autohome.com.cn/zixunmofang/files/139af7a3fa1f4f7eb13a071d7d06e86c.pdf).
## References
1. [BYD launches Sealion 05 DM-i and 2nd-gen Song Pro DM-i, both starting at $15,980, CnEVPost](https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/23/byd-launches-sealion-05-2nd-gen-song-pro-dm-i/)
2. [BYD officially launches compact electric SUV Sealion 05 EV, starting at $16,230, CnEVPost](https://cnevpost.com/2025/03/25/byd-launches-sealion-05-ev/)
3. [售11.28万起 比亚迪海狮05 DM-i上市, Autohome](https://www.autohome.com.cn/new/news/202409/1300664.html)
4. [BYD Sealion 05 DM-i launched in China, starts at 15,980 USD, CarNewsChina](https://carnewschina.com/2024/09/23/byd-sealion-05-dm-i-launched-in-china-starts-at-15980-usd/)
5. [Sunday China Drive: BYD Sealion 05 EV, CarNewsChina](https://carnewschina.com/2025/05/03/sunday-china-drive-byd-sealion-05-ev-compact-polished-and-priced-to-win/)
6. [BYD Sea Lion 05 é novo SUV do King com motores do Song Pro, Quatro Rodas](https://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/noticias/byd-sea-lion-05-e-novo-suv-do-king-com-motores-do-song-pro-e-preco-de-onix/)
7. [BYD Sealion 5 Review, Top Gear](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/byd/sealion-5)
8. [Test Drive of BYD Sealion 05 DM-i: Battery Drain Fuel Consumption 3.56, BitAuto Global](https://www.bitauto.com/global/news/100195496306.html)
9. [BYD Sealion 5 2026 review, Chasing Cars (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znr7cvPdcfI)
10. [First drive: BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, Car Enthusiast](https://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews/article/13971/-/2026-BYD-Sealion%2B5/First%2Bdrive%253A%2BDM-i%2BDesign%2B18.3kWh.html)
11. [BYD Sealion 05 EV 2025 specifications, Data.CarNewsChina.com](https://data.carnewschina.com/database/byd/sea-lion-05ev/2025/params)
12. [BYD Company Limited 2025 interim report (Management Discussion and Analysis), HKEX](https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0829/2025082902216.pdf)
13. [海狮05EV真实试驾评测, Sina Auto](https://auto.sina.cn/2026-09-18/detail-inisewtq8746354.d.html)
14. [First drive: The Sealion 5 DM-i, Top Gear Philippines](https://www.topgear.com.ph/drives/car-reviews/first-drive-byd-sealion-5-2025-a6888-20250721)
15. [Report of 2024 Winter Endurance Test, Autohome](https://nfiles3four.autohome.com.cn/zixunmofang/files/139af7a3fa1f4f7eb13a071d7d06e86c.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › Chinese automobile models › SUVs and crossovers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license