BYD Sealion 5 vs Kia Seltos
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 5 starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Seltos opens at $31,250. That makes the Kia Seltos the more affordable entry point by $2,740.
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 $37,389 and $34,375 respectively.
The BYD Sealion 5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Seltos, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $8,755 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 5 and Kia Seltos hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Sealion 5 and 85% for the Kia Seltos.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Sealion 5 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Kia Seltos.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Sealion 5 and 6 in the Kia Seltos.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 5 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The BYD Sealion 5 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 156kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.
The Kia Seltos responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 5 is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Sealion 5 measures 4,738mm long on a 2,765mm wheelbase, 353mm longer than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Sealion 5 and 312L in the Kia Seltos, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 88L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $216/year for the BYD Sealion 5 and $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos. That is a $1,751 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Estimated annual total: $216 (BYD Sealion 5) vs $1,967 (Kia Seltos). The BYD Sealion 5 saves you roughly $1,751 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Seltos). The Kia Seltos has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 5 takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,751 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 5 has a clear edge. The Kia Seltos 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 Sealion 5 and Kia Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is the cheapest at $31,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 5 by $2,740.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 5 uses the least fuel at 1.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Sealion 5 and Kia Seltos all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 5 has the largest boot at 400L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Seltos has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Seltos has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 5 makes the most power at 156kW. The BYD Sealion 5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.3s.
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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