MG 5 vs BYD Seal 6
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
MG 5
From $30,990
Sedan
Petrol
1.5L Turbo Petrol
119kW
6.4 L/100km
3★ ANCAP
401L
BYD Seal 6
From $34,990
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo PHEV
130kW
1.1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
491L
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 MG 5 starts from $30,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Seal 6 opens at $34,990. That makes the MG 5 the more affordable entry point by $4,000.
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 $34,089 and $38,489 respectively.
The BYD Seal 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The MG 5, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Seal 6 by roughly $8,255 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Seal 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 3 stars for the MG 5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The BYD Seal 6 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the MG 5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. The MG 5 adds a 360-degree camera that the BYD Seal 6 misses.
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
10.1kWh 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 MG 5 features a 10-inch touchscreen, while the BYD Seal 6 gets a 12.8-inch display and 8.8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the MG 5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the BYD Seal 6 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The MG 5 uses a 1.5L Turbo Petrol producing 119kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The BYD Seal 6 responds with a Petrol Turbo PHEV making 130kW and 210Nm, paired to a 1-speed auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The BYD Seal 6 has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 119kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MG 5 measures 4,675mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 165mm shorter than the BYD Seal 6 at 4,840mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 401L in the MG 5 and 491L in the BYD Seal 6, giving the BYD Seal 6 a 90L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
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 $1,824/year for the MG 5 and $173/year for the BYD Seal 6. That is a $1,651 annual difference in favour of the BYD Seal 6.
Estimated annual total: $1,824 (MG 5) vs $173 (BYD Seal 6). The BYD Seal 6 saves you roughly $1,651 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 10 years / 250,000km (MG 5) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Seal 6). The MG 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MG 5 if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Seal 6 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 Seal 6 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The BYD Seal 6 will save you roughly $1,651 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Seal 6 has a clear edge. The MG 5 adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, MG 5 and BYD Seal 6?
The MG 5 is the cheapest at $30,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Seal 6 by $4,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Seal 6 uses the least fuel at 1.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The BYD Seal 6 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Seal 6 has the largest boot at 491L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG 5 has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal 6 makes the most power at 130kW.
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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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