BYD Sealion 5 vs Suzuki Jimny XL
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 8 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.
$29,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$36,800est. RRP
- 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 & Suzuki Jimny XL
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 5 starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Jimny XL opens at $36,800 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). 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 $32,989 and $40,480 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $8,040 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.
Recalls on our record
BYD Sealion 5
None open on our record
Suzuki Jimny XL
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 Suzuki Jimny XL gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
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 Suzuki Jimny XL responds with a 1.5L four-cylinder (1462cc K15B, naturally aspirated) making 75kW and 130Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual driving all four wheels.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 75kW. 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, 773mm longer than the Suzuki Jimny XL at 3,965mm (2,590mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 463L in the BYD Sealion 5 and 211L in the Suzuki Jimny XL, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 252L advantage. The BYD Sealion 5 seats 5 vs 4.
For towing, the Suzuki Jimny XL leads with a 1,300kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 550kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m 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 11.4m 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 $1,824/year for the Suzuki Jimny XL. That is a $1,608 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5) vs 5 years (Suzuki Jimny XL). The BYD Sealion 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Jimny XL if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (80 vs 65). The BYD Sealion 5 and Suzuki Jimny XL trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,608 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 5 has a clear edge. 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.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Sealion 5 and Suzuki Jimny XL?
The BYD Sealion 5 is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Suzuki Jimny XL by $6,810.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Sealion 5 uses the least fuel at 1.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Sealion 5 holds a 3-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Suzuki Jimny XL, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 5 has the largest boot at 463L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Suzuki Jimny XL has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
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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