VS
At a Glance
Power
156 kW
85 kW
Torque
300 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 co
5.2 l/100km
Towing
—
900 Kg
0-100 km/h
8.3 s
12.0 s
Engine
1498 cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the BYD Sealion 5 and the Kia Seltos is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Sealion 5 delivers 156 kW while the Kia Seltos produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Sealion 5 returns 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km while the Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R509 900 for the Sealion 5 and R599 995 for the Seltos. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
156 kW
85 kW
Torque
300 Nm
250 Nm
0-100 kph
8.3 s
12.0 s
Top Speed
170 Km/h
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
1493 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 co
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 litre + 13.0 kWh l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
27 when hybrid battery charged g/km
145 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4738 mm
4365 mm
Width
1860 mm
1800 mm
Height
1710 mm
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2712 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
150 mm
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1675 Kg
1382 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
463-1410 l
433 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
900 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery
5
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
4
Service Plan Distance
—
60000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BYD Sealion 5
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Sealion 5
Fuel Economy
Sealion 5
Value
Sealion 5
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
BYD Sealion 5
More powerful engine (156 kW)
Better fuel economy (1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km)
Lower starting price (R509 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.3 ss)
No factory service plan
Kia Seltos
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (5.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 156 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sealion 5 or Seltos?
The Sealion 5 uses 1.4 when hybrid battery charged / 5.2 combined l/100km and the Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sealion 5 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Sealion 5 or Seltos?
The Sealion 5 produces 156 kW and 300 Nm of torque while the Seltos delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Sealion 5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Sealion 5 and Seltos?
The Sealion 5 starts from R509 900 and the Seltos from R599 995. The Sealion 5 is cheaper by R90 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Sealion 5 or Seltos?
The Sealion 5 has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Seltos can tow 900 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Sealion 5 or the Seltos?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.