This family SUV claims up to 2000km driving range: BYD shows first official images of 2025 Sealion 05 plug-in hybrid as an alternative to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

BYD has shown the first official photos of its Sealion 05 plug-in hybrid SUV. 

The new-generation medium SUV will launch imminently, according to General Manager BYD Ocean line Zhang Zhou via CarNewsChina, utilising BYD’s latest range anxiety-curing 2000km driving range fifth-gen ‘DM-i’ plug-in hybrid system.

The Sealion 05, related to the Song Pro in China, is not to be confused with the similarly-sized Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid sold in Australia. That car, launched earlier this year, is sold as the Song L in China and Seal U in Europe. Confused yet? 

There are minor differences in size, with the new Sealion 05 growing 50mm in length (4710mm) and 20mm in width (1880mm) yet sitting on an unchanged 2712mm wheelbase as the prior Song Pro, according to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). 

Meanwhile, the Sealion 6 is a touch longer (4775mm) but with a sleeker aesthetic and lower roof compared to the more conventional Sealion 05, which is apparently also known as the BYD Coral. 

The Sealion 05 would, therefore, play in the same medium SUV segment as the Sealion 6, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Nissan X-Trail. 

As for the differences between Song Pro and export-friendly Sealion 05, there’s a new grille with six chrome strips to emulate the look of a grille. It has slightly different headlight designs, though the sheetmetal down the side and at the rear is almost identical to the Song Pro. 

Under the bonnet, the MIIT filings reveal BYD’s fifth-gen plug-in hybrid system is onboard, though in lower power guise. It comprises a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine and 120kW electric motor. 

There are two Blade battery packs offered, though to give the Sealion 05 an electric-only driving range between 70-125km with a combined roving distance of up to 2000km from a full tank and battery. 

Just last month, BYD announced sales of the last generation Song Pro Dm-i in Mexico — the same country it chose to debut the much-anticipated Shark Ute.

As for Australia, don’t expect the Sealion 05 to arrive any time soon. Instead, the all-electric Seal 7 a Tesla Model Y rivalling SUV and a facelifted version of the Seal sedan with new 800V electric architecture are likely following the plug-in hybrid Shark ute. 

BYD could also look to fill a slot with a three-row SUV locally, as a rival for the Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Palisade. The brand’s importer EV Direct has yet to confirm if these models are on the way.