BYD isn't afraid of tariffs and announces the arrival of a new model, the Sealion 05.

BYD is one of the automotive names that has been most active in recent years. What initially seemed like a brand that presented a limited range of electric vehicles, some of them even very luxurious (and, therefore, expensive), has gradually become a manufacturer that offers cars at very diverse prices and even with hybrid engines. The latest addition to BYD's extensive catalog is called the Sealion 05, and it is a 100% electric compact SUV that has just been presented in China and will arrive in Europe in the coming months.

It is a car that adapts to the preferred size of European consumers, that of SUVs of about 4.5 meters in length (specifically, it measures 4.52 meters), and that presents a modern and informal design that is in line with the recently presented Sealion 7 and Atto 2This translates into a front end featuring rounded LED headlights and a fairly high hood, a profile with dynamic lines and flush-fitting door handles, and a rear end featuring integrated taillights in a black trim.

Inside, the screens are the centerpiece, with the digital instrument cluster measuring 8.8 inches and the central display measuring 12.8 inches and positioned vertically or horizontally. All of this is accompanied by complete phone connectivity (which can be charged wirelessly) and excellent roominess, with a trunk of up to 710 liters, including the 600 liters of the main trunk and the 110 liters of the one located under the hood.

Two engines and autonomous driving: God's Eye C

The new BYD Sealion 05 is offered with two engine options. The entry-level model features a 188 hp electric motor and a 50 kWh battery that provides a range of up to 430 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. Above this model, we find a higher-capacity engine and battery, with figures of 215 hp and 60.9 kWh, with which this new SUV can travel up to 520 kilometers. However, it should be noted that the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle is considerably less demanding than the European WLTP, so the actual range figure will be significantly lower.

One of the most notable features of the Sealion 05 EV is that it comes standard with the semi-autonomous driving system called God's Eye C. This system uses twelve cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonic sensors to offer the latest driver assistance features on the market. The new BYD Sealion 05 has a starting price in China of around €15,000 for the basic version and just over €17,000 for the most equipped version, but in Europe it will have to suffer the tariffs applied to Chinese vehicles, which will surely make the product significantly more expensive.