BYD Sealion 5 vs Suzuki Vitara
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
- no option data for this car
$36,350est. RRP
- with the BYD Sealion 5's standard kit: $36,350 (nothing to add)
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 Vitara
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Sealion 5 starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Vitara opens at $36,350 (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 $37,389 and $39,985 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $7,185 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 Vitara
- REC-006212 · published 11 Dec 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the left rear brake pipe line may have been damaged during assembly.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005515 · published 5 Sep 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the valve between the engine and the vacuum assist brake booster may swell under certain conditions.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2022
- REC-005061 · published 17 Feb 2022Vehicles have been supplied with incorrect information in the owner’s manual in regards to the installation of ISOFIX child restraint system.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2022
- 1 more on the model page.
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 Vitara gets a 9-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Suzuki Vitara counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Vitara responds with a Petrol making 80.9kW and 235Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 80.9kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Sealion 5 is 2.5s 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, 553mm longer than the Suzuki Vitara at 4,185mm (2,500mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 463L in the BYD Sealion 5 and 362L in the Suzuki Vitara, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 101L advantage.
For towing, the Suzuki Vitara leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m 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 10.2m 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 $1,653/year for the Suzuki Vitara. That is a $1,437 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Vitara). 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 Vitara if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BYD Sealion 5: Top CarSorted Score, 80 vs 69
The BYD Sealion 5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (80 vs 69), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: value (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 20), performance (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 17), fuel economy (BYD Sealion 5 ahead by 16). The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,437 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Sealion 5 and Suzuki Vitara?
The BYD Sealion 5 is the cheapest at $33,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Suzuki Vitara by $2,360.
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 Vitara, 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 Vitara has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
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. The BYD Sealion 5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.7s.
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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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