Anyone with a modicum of interest in things automotive will have noticed the increasing number of cars from Chinese manufacturer BYD on our roads. In 2024 they sold a modest 8,788 cars in the UK, rising to a heady 51,442 last year. There are now 125 dealers, with more being added each month.

BYD’s ninth new model has just arrived in the UK, so off to Telford I journeyed for the UK media launch of the Sealion 5 DM-i. It’s a plug-in hybrid, ideal for those not ready to make the switch to fully electric motoring. Prices start at a very tempting £29,995 on the road for the Comfort model. Add £3,000 for the top design variant.

This C-segment SUV has many rivals. Ford’s Kuga, Kia’s top-selling Sportage and Skoda’s Karoq, to name but a few. But here’s the thing – you will only get a pure petrol example of these cars at the Sealion 5’s price point, with PHEV examples far dearer.

Price alone should never be the sole reason for buying, so let’s start with what you get for your money. The Comfort is exceptionally well equipped with vegan leather seats, LED lighting front and rear, a 12.8-inch entertainment touchscreen, rain-sensing wipers – you get the idea!

There’s a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 12.96kWh battery, good for up to 38 miles of electric-only running. Four colours are available; my test car’s black costs an additional £850. Pay the same for grey or white, with Atlantis Blue the no-cost option.

Many would argue that the extra cost of the Design model is worth it for the larger 18.3kWh battery alone. This takes the electric range up to a more useful 53 miles. However, you also now get an electric tailgate, heated front seats, smartphone wireless charging, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and dynamic welcome lights. I would pay the extra without a doubt.

Out on the road, progress is generally smooth and refined, the hybrid system moving between the two power sources seamlessly. It was only on some of the hillier sections of the test route when full power was called for that the engine made its presence felt. A tad noisy and tuneless at full chat.

A longish section of motorway brought no surprises. Wind and road noise were hardly noticeable, and stability on a windy day was fine. My driving companion and I had no need to raise our voices to continue our chat.

Our test route took us into Wales and some more challenging roads. As is the road tester’s way, we pushed the car harder than most owners are likely too and there was little reward. The Sealion 5 majors on comfort rather than spirited handling and was much more enjoyable at a more relaxed gait. Thus driven, the comfortable ride could be enjoyed.

Steering is light but feels lacking at high speed, and I would have liked more options to increase the regenerative braking. There are just two settings which will put some energy back into the battery but don’t slow the car down as effectively as some of the best systems fitted elsewhere. No one is pedal driving here.

As expected, the BYD newcomer has all the latest ADAS safety systems. I know we now must have them, but please, manufacturers, rein them back a tad and make turning some of them off easier. The camera monitoring the driver’s eyes is especially annoying, constantly chastising for looking away from the road ahead, even for a moment. And with virtually all the car’s functions controlled on the touchscreen, look away you must.

If I had been driving on my own, I would have turned the radio up to drown out the various chimes which seemed to ring out with monotonous regularity.

Back to the touchscreen, and I can report that it is very responsive, but some of the menus did take some fathoming out. No doubt familiarity would make navigating a whole lot easier, but even from the passenger seat, some features took some finding.

More impressive is the quality of the Sealion 5’s interior. Soft-touch materials abound, and fit and finish are very good. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, and there’s a huge amount of space in the rear for taller adults to spread out. The flat floor is a boon too, so three should fit across the rear in reasonable comfort. Isofix points are fitted to the outer two seats. The boot is a modest 463 litres in size, a tad small for the class of vehicle.

So, are you tempted by the proposition? If not yet, then maybe BYD’s current finance offers might just swing the deal. A customer deposit of just £1,999 is needed for the Comfort model, with monthly instalments of £299 over a four-year period. 6,000 miles a year are allowed, and the APR is a lowly 2.9%.

However, I’d up my deposit by £1,000, my monthly payments by £20 and enjoy the top-spec Design model for four years. The extra electric range, the heated seats… lovely!

Fast Facts
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i
From £29,995
6-year/93,750 miles warranty
1.5litre petrol engine
12.96 or 18.3kWh battery
Up to 53 miles of electric running
Emissions 48-62g/km CO2
0-62mph – 7.7 to 8.1 seconds