BYD Seal vs MG IM5
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
MG IM5: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle, braked towing and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Seal starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the MG IM5 opens at $55,450. That makes the BYD Seal the more affordable entry point by $2,460.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $58,289 and $60,995 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
82.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
75kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the MG IM5 gets a 26.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Seal stands out with Dynaudio audio that you will not find on the MG IM5. The MG IM5 counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, V2L and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets leather upholstery while the MG IM5 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 230kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The MG IM5 responds with a Electric making 217kW and 450Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels.
The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 217kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82.6kWh (BYD Seal) vs 75kWh (MG IM5), giving WLTP ranges of 570km and 490km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (BYD Seal) vs 153kW (MG IM5).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 131mm shorter than the MG IM5 at 4,931mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG IM5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 457L in the MG IM5, giving the MG IM5 a 57L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m diameter
Average
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.9 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal) vs 7 years (MG IM5). The MG IM5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Seal if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG IM5 if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD Seal and MG IM5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the MG IM5 has a clear edge. The MG IM5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Seal and MG IM5?
The BYD Seal is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG IM5 by $2,460.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Seal has the most range at 570km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The MG IM5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 153kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Seal all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG IM5 has the largest boot at 457L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Seal has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG IM5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal makes the most power at 230kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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