BYD Sealidon 5 DM-i

FIRST DRIVE Chinese brand may feel like a newcomer to to the UK, but its ninth model is here with its sights set on the Kia Sportage

- By Richard Ingram

THIS is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i: the Chinese giant's ninth new model in three years and a challenger to the strong-selling Kia Sportage. But here's the hook: this spacious, plugin hybrid family SUV starts from less than £30,000.

Measuring a little over 4.7 metres long, the Sealion 5 slots in at the very top of its segment alongside cars such as the Sportage, as well as the Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Karoq and Ford Kuga. Yet at that price, you'll struggle to even find a pure-petrol alternative – let alone a fuel-efficient PHEV with a meaningful electric range.

So, the Sealion is worthy of your consideration on price alone. But is there more to this Chinese newcomer than its bargain billing? Can it battle with the best when it comes to standard equipment, family-friendly features, tech, quality, refinement and driving dynamics? We've tested a top-spec Sealion 5 DM-i Design on UK roads to find out.

How much range you get will depend on which of the two visually identical trims you choose. The base Comfort model gets big-car kit such as LED lights front and rear, 18-inch wheels and a twin-screen infotainment system, plus a 13kWh battery that's good for 38 miles of electric-only running. There are four colours to choose from, although only our car's Atlantis Blue is standard; black, grey or white paint is an £850 extra.

Stepping up to Design trim (£32,995) adds an electric tailgate, heated front seats, wireless phone charging and 360-degree parking cameras, but it also boosts the battery to 18.3kWh – taking the car's range to a useful 53 miles on a charge. Unlike the slightly larger Seal U DM-i, neither version of the Sealion comes with DC fast-charge capability.