Chery C5 Hybrid vs BYD Sealion 5
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.
Chery C5 Hybrid
From $29,100
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol I4 Turbo + HEV
165kW
4.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
300L
BYD Sealion 5
From $33,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
156kW
1.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
463L
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid starts from $29,100 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 5 opens at $33,990. That makes the Chery C5 Hybrid the more affordable entry point by $4,890.
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 $32,010 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 Chery C5 Hybrid, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $5,905 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 Chery C5 Hybrid features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Sealion 5 gets a 10.1-inch display and 8.8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery C5 Hybrid stands out with heated front seats that you will not find on the BYD Sealion 5. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery C5 Hybrid uses a Petrol I4 Turbo + HEV producing 165kW and 295Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (dht) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 156kW and 300Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The Chery C5 Hybrid has the clear power advantage at 165kW vs 156kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery C5 Hybrid measures 4,435mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 303mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 5 at 4,738mm (2,712mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery C5 Hybrid and 463L in the BYD Sealion 5, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 163L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Sealion 5 leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m diameter
Average
Based on 12.0m 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 $1,397/year for the Chery C5 Hybrid and $216/year for the BYD Sealion 5. That is a $1,181 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Estimated annual total: $1,397 (Chery C5 Hybrid) vs $216 (BYD Sealion 5). The BYD Sealion 5 saves you roughly $1,181 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery C5 Hybrid) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5). The Chery C5 Hybrid has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: 7yr (Chery C5 Hybrid)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery C5 Hybrid if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Chery C5 Hybrid and BYD Sealion 5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,181 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 5 has a clear edge. The Chery C5 Hybrid 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, Chery C5 Hybrid and BYD Sealion 5?
The Chery C5 Hybrid is the cheapest at $29,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 5 by $4,890.
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?
None of Chery C5 Hybrid and BYD Sealion 5 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 5 has the largest boot at 463L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery C5 Hybrid has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery C5 Hybrid makes the most power at 165kW.
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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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