BYD Sealion 5 vs Volkswagen Id.4

What's the difference?

This is the most affordable plug-in hybrid available in Australia – as this review is published – but it’s got a lot more going for it than just that.

The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is a mid-size SUV wearing a BYD badge that has been thrust into the public’s awareness by the popular BYD Shark 6 – as well as by widespread criticism of brand's less popular aftersales shortcomings through much of 2025.

It’s also a plug-in hybrid that is showing up as the nation faces a fuel crisis, despite many remaining sceptical of going ‘full EV’.

The Sealion 5 has a long list of features, of course, plus a claimed four-figure driving range. Is this BYD too good to be true?

We grabbed the entry-level Essential to find out.

The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 Pro has finally landed on our shores! Hurrah! The benefit of waiting almost half a decade for it means we get some mid-life technology upgrades and interior features for the single variant that's available to us (at least for now).

The biggest question this mid-size SUV really poses, though, is has it been worth the wait? Is it practical enough? Is it fun enough? Let’s find out.