The add-ons of most interest to SUV buyers are likely to be the heated, powered front seats, 360-degree camera and the panoramic sunroof. All are standard on the Premium variant but not available on the entry-level Essential version. Premium paint is a $700 option on either version.

Twin info-screens dominate the interior of the Sealion 5. The driver's display, however, is a bit small and the type very small, making for a hard-to-read display on the move. There's plenty of room in all five positions in the cabin and the luggage space is very good, too. Only the slightly fussy combination of angles, lines, materials and textures detracts.

Interestingly, the Sealion 5's petrol engine is not turbocharged. Beyond that, however, it's on-point with 1.5 litres of displacement and it's teamed to a single electric motor driving the front wheels. Power is 156kW and torque is 300Nm.

There's no seven-seat version of the Sealion 5, so five is the maximum number of occupants. But those five will be pretty well looked after thanks to soft, plush seats, the front ones powered and heated in the more expensive variant. The rear seat cushion falls a bit flat, but the view out is still good. Even though the leather is synthetic, it's pretty convincing.

BYD claims the Sealion 5 will reach 100km/h in about eight seconds. To be honest, it doesn't feel quite that quick, but the flat torque curve disguises its pace a little. Top speed is around 170km/h.

BYD claims just over 1000km of range with a fully charged battery and a full 52-lire fuel tank. Like all hybrids, the Sealion 5 will do its best work around the city and suburbs where it can regenerate power through braking.