Renault Arkana vs BYD Sealion 5
What's the difference?

Renault Arkana

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

BYD Sealion 5

$33,990 - $37,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Renault Arkana

2026 BYD Sealion 5

By Emily Agar

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Inline 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

4.5L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

12.9 kWh/100km

Electric range

71 km

Battery capacity

12.90 kWh

Seating

Likes

Stylish, distinctive design
Great boot space and practicality
Responsive handling

The price
Well-behaved during most driving
Interior belies low price

Dislikes

Mild-hybrid gains feel limited
Snug rear seat space
Slow off the mark

Engine noisy under load
Driving position not quite right
Sometimes feels unsettled at high speed

2026 Renault Arkana Summary

This time around my family of three has been reviewing the updated Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid, and you might be wondering… why?

In a market that is positively bursting at the seams with established and new competition, including full-hybrid rivals like the Honda HR-V RS and Hyundai Kona Premium, the Arkana has its work cut out for it.

It’s also a slightly unusual proposition, pairing the raised ride height of an SUV with the swooping roofline of a coupe, while sticking with a mild-hybrid powertrain as more and more rivals make the jump to full-hybrid.

So, does this small French SUV coupe still have enough going for it to stand out from the crowd?

View full pricing & specs

2026 BYD Sealion 5 Summary

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.

@carsguide.com.au Don’t want an EV yet? The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 might be the answer to rising fuel prices. #BYD #Sealion5 #ev #cartok #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Renault Arkana 2026 BYD Sealion 5

Verdict

The Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid combines some serious design flair with a reasonable amount of practicality for a smaller family, but it’s hard to ignore the lack of improvement in efficiency following the addition of the mild-hybrid system. That said, it still succeeds on some fronts. It just does it quietly.

Verdict

While the BYD Sealion 5 lacks the polish of some more established plug-in hybrids, it has a seriously compelling price advantage over some competitors. It makes a base-model Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV feel positively outdated and it’s $13,800 cheaper.

BYD's lack of ANCAP rating for the Sealion 5 and the uncertainty around it still being a new brand are downsides, even if BYD is quickly moving past the latter. But being the most affordable PHEV available while having this much showroom appeal is bound to work in the Sealion 5’s favour, just don’t expect a dynamic masterpiece once you’re out on the road.

Renault Arkana vs BYD Sealion 5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Renault Arkana vs BYD Sealion 5
What's the difference?