BYD Sealion 5 vs MG HS
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.
Track the BYD Sealion 5 & MG HS
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 5 starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the MG HS opens at $33,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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 $37,389 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 MG HS, 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
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
12.9kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Sealion 5 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the MG HS gets a 10.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the MG HS. The MG HS counters with Apple CarPlay, panoramic roof and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Sealion 5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the MG HS offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The BYD Sealion 5 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 156kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds.
The MG HS responds with a Petrol making 125kW and 275Nm, paired to a 7-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 125kW. 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 2,712mm wheelbase, 83mm longer than the MG HS at 4,655mm (2,765mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG HS generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 463L in the BYD Sealion 5 and 507L in the MG HS, giving the MG HS a 44L advantage.
For towing, the MG HS leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 750kg 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 12.0m
Based on 12.0m 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
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
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 MG HS. That is a $1,751 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Estimated annual total: $216 (BYD Sealion 5) vs $1,967 (MG HS). 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 10 years / 250,000km (MG HS). The MG HS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG HS if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BYD Sealion 5 and MG HS trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,751 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the MG HS has a clear edge. The MG HS adds peace of mind with a longer 10-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 MG HS?
The BYD Sealion 5 is the cheapest at $33,990 before on-road costs.
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 — MG HS all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG HS has the largest boot at 507L.
Which can tow the most?
The MG HS has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG HS has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k 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 7.7s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
