Suzuki Fronx 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.
Suzuki Fronx
From $28,490
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol
75.8kW
4.9 L/100km
1★ ANCAP
304L
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 Suzuki Fronx starts from $28,490 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 5 opens at $33,990. That makes the Suzuki Fronx the more affordable entry point by $5,500.
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 $31,339 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 Suzuki Fronx, 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 Suzuki Fronx features a 9-inch touchscreen, 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 Suzuki Fronx stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the BYD Sealion 5. The BYD Sealion 5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Suzuki Fronx uses a Petrol producing 75.8kW and 137Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.5 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 BYD Sealion 5 has the clear power advantage at 156kW vs 75.8kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Sealion 5 is 3.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Suzuki Fronx measures 3,995mm long on a 2,520mm wheelbase, 743mm 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 304L in the Suzuki Fronx and 463L in the BYD Sealion 5, giving the BYD Sealion 5 a 159L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 12.0m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m 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 $1,397/year for the Suzuki Fronx 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 (Suzuki Fronx) 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: 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Fronx) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Sealion 5). The BYD Sealion 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Suzuki Fronx if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
The Verdict
The BYD Sealion 5 takes 6 of 7 key spec categories. 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 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, Suzuki Fronx and BYD Sealion 5?
The Suzuki Fronx is the cheapest at $28,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Sealion 5 by $5,500.
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 — Suzuki Fronx all hold a 1-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 463L.
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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