BYD Sealion 5 vs Renault Duster
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.
Data checked: specs 7 Sep 2026, price 14 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$33,990RRP
- with the Renault Duster's standard kit: $33,990 (nothing to add)
$31,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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 & Renault Duster
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 5 starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the Renault Duster opens at $31,990. That makes the Renault Duster the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
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 $35,189 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $8,185 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Sealion 5 and Renault Duster hold a 3-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Sealion 5, against 2 on the Renault Duster.
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 Renault Duster.
Recalls on our record
BYD Sealion 5
None open on our record
Renault Duster
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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 Renault Duster gets a 10.1-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Sealion 5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Renault Duster. The Renault Duster counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 Renault Duster 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 Renault Duster responds with a Petrol making 113kW and 270Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic driving the front wheels.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 113kW. 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, 393mm longer than the Renault Duster at 4,345mm (2,657mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 463L in the BYD Sealion 5 and 472L in the Renault Duster, giving the Renault Duster a 9L advantage.
For towing, the Renault Duster 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.
10.9m 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 10.9m 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 $1,853/year for the Renault Duster. That is a $1,637 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Duster). The BYD Sealion 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Renault Duster if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 5: Top CarSorted Score, 80 vs 71, but the Renault Duster is $2,000 cheaper
The BYD Sealion 5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (80 vs 71), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 23), value (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 13), reliability (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 10). The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,637 a year in fuel. The BYD Sealion 5 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-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 Renault Duster?
The Renault Duster is the cheapest at $31,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 5 by $2,000.
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 on crash rating: BYD Sealion 5 and Renault Duster all hold a 3-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Renault Duster has the largest boot at 472L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Renault Duster has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Sealion 5 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Sealion 5 makes the most power at 156kW.
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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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