Kia Seltos 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.
Price Breakdown
The Kia Seltos starts from $31,250 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 5 opens at $33,990. That makes the Kia Seltos the more affordable entry point by $2,740.
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 $34,375 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 Kia Seltos, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Sealion 5 by roughly $9,545 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Kia Seltos and BYD Sealion 5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Kia Seltos and 89% for the BYD Sealion 5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Sealion 5 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Kia Seltos.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Kia Seltos and 7 in the BYD Sealion 5.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Seltos features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the BYD Sealion 5 gets a 10.1-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Kia Seltos uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.2 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 156kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 110kW. 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 Kia Seltos measures 4,385mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, 353mm shorter than the BYD Sealion 5 at 4,738mm (2,765mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Sealion 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 312L in the Kia Seltos and 400L in the BYD Sealion 5, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 88L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 500kg 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 11.0m
Based on 11.0m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos and $58/year for the BYD Sealion 5. That is a $1,909 annual difference in favour of the BYD Sealion 5.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Kia Seltos) vs $58 (BYD Sealion 5). The BYD Sealion 5 saves you roughly $1,909 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Seltos) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5). The Kia Seltos has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Sealion 5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 5 takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The BYD Sealion 5 will save you roughly $1,909 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Sealion 5 has a clear edge. The Kia Seltos 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, Kia Seltos and BYD Sealion 5?
The Kia Seltos is the cheapest at $31,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 5 by $2,740.
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 — Kia Seltos and BYD Sealion 5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Sealion 5 has the largest boot at 400L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Seltos has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Seltos has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k 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 7.3s.
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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