Lynk & Co. 01 vs BYD Sealion 5 DM-i vs Changan Nevo Q05: Chinese hybrid SUV smackdown

In the past few years, we have seen many Chinese marques penetrate the local automotive market. These brands bring in new technologies that help the Filipino motoring industry slowly reach its goals towards sustainability. A good example is the hybrid support utility vehicles (SUV) offered by such brands. 

On that note, we take a quick look at some of the top Chinese hybrid SUVs to help those in the market for a more eco-friendly vehicle find the right ride that suits their budget, style, and motoring needs. 

Here are our contenders: 

• Lynk & Co. 01
• BYD Sealion 5 DM-i 
• Changan Nevo Q05 

To help us visualize how they stack up against each other, here is the tale of the tape: 

	Lynk & Co. 01	BYD Sealion 5 DM-i	Changan Nevo Q05
Overall dimensions (length, width, height; in millimeters [mm>)	4,541 x 1,857 x 1,694	4,738 x 1,860 x 1,710	4,539 x 1,865 x 1,680
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,734	2,712	2,656

Based on the figures in the above table, the largest of the group is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. This provides the nameplate with awesome road presence. Likewise, it also has the longest wheelbase, offering would-be owners a more pliant ride. 

Meanwhile, the Changan Nevo Q05 offers a slightly smaller form factor, which may make it a better vehicle for navigating the narrow roads of the metro. Further, its shorter wheelbase means that it is a more agile SUV. 

Finally, the Lynk & Co. 01 is the model to strike the ideal balance when it comes to size. It’s not too big nor too small, which allows owners to get the best of both worlds. 

Now that we have their measurements out of the way, let’s check what they have to offer — exterior-wise. 

Exterior 

Outside, the Lynk & Co. 01 boasts beautiful proportions, much like the SUVs from European brands. At the fore is a horizontal grille with a mesh-like latticework. Above it is a light bar that evokes modernity and an electrified drive. The lower grillework sports the traditional horizontal slats for improved airflow. 

A cluster of lights can be found on the sides of the fascia as well as on the corners of the bonnet. Speaking of sides, the side profile of the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) comes with athletic bodylines, some thin — but very welcome — claddings on the wheel arches and on the side sills, blacked-out pillars, and body-colored door handles. 

It rides on a set of 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 235/40 series tires. 

At the back, the Lynk & Co. 01 gets a roof-mounted spoiler, which provides little shade to a decent-sized glass. It also has a tailgate with combination taillamps, a robust-looking diffuser, and twin tailpipes. 

Following a similar sleek and sporty design language is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. Its front end provides a very prominent fascia with a trapezoidal grille finished with a three-dimensional design. Atop is a chrome garnish with the BYD emblem, flanked by a pair of headlights. 

The chin of the electrified SUV also gets some chrome trims with a durable-looking skid plate. 

Onto its sides are thin claddings found on the wheel arches and side sills. They work well with the pillars as well as the black trim on the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i’s side mirrors. The bodylines on the vehicle appear to curve, providing it with a sexy silhouette from this angle. 

The rear end of the model is rather bulky with a protruding spoiler with an integrated brake lamp. The tailgate is fitted with a light bar that connects the tailamps on each side. The bumper at the back looks modern with reflectors on each side. 

Finally, the Changan Nevo Q05 offers a clean, boxy look. The front end looks more like a fully-electric model than a hybrid. It lacks a proper grille and only relies on the lower front air vents to cool down its engine. At the foot of the hood sits the “101” badge, while its sides are flanked by sharp-looking headlights. 

The side profile of the vehicle is similarly clean. There is still some protective cladding on the typical touch points, such as the wheel arches and on the side sills. The pillars are black, but sport contrasting chrome accents, adding a dash of opulence to the SUV. 

At the back, the Changan Nevo Q05 gets the typical appointments, including a sporty roof-mounted spoiler, a decent-sized rear glass, aggressive-looking taillamps, and a diffuser-like feature at the bottom of the bumper. 

Winner 

With styling akin to European models, we believe that the Lynk & Co. 01 has the upper hand in this round, which is why we are giving it the win. The overall looks of the vehicle look more refined and upmarket, which is why it may appeal to a wide variety of car buyers. 

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Interior 

The cabin of the Lynk & Co. 01 is equipped with features that combine convenience and comfort. The driver is faced with a multi-functional steering wheel and is treated to leather seating with a two-position memory functionality for ease of driving. 

Past the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch multi-functional digital instrument panel paired with a 12.7-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Audio is blasted to a 10-speaker Harman Infinity audio system for an immersive experience. 

Other notable features include the following: 

• Wireless phone charger 
• Panoramic sunroof 
• Dual-zone climate control 

Doing what it does best, BYD stacked the Sealion 5 DM-i with plenty of tech that will appease the tech-savvy car buyers. While it does have the usual leather upholstery, what takes one’s attention is the 8.8-inch instrument panel past its multi-functional steering wheel. 

Further, the highlight of the cabin can be considered the 10.1-inch rotating infotainment screen that fits the needs of the driver or the passengers. The system also has Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity for convenience. 

Here are some of its other features: 

• With voice assistant 
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear A/C vents
• Has PM 2.5 air filter 

Lastly, the Changan Nevo Q05 also aims to please its owners with a handful of notable cabin amenities. The driver gets to view relevant information on the 10-inch LCD instrument panel, while the passengers can stay engaged by playing content on its 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. 

The latter has wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which is a plus.  

Other technologies found inside the cabin include: 

• Wireless phone charger 
• Panoramic sunroof 
• Pioneer-branded speakers 
• Automatic air conditioning system 

Winner 

We have to give the win for this round to the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i since its available onboard technologies always prove to be a showstopper. The rotating infotainment system is more than just a gimmick, as it can orient the screen for a better view of the application, to better suit the needs of its occupants. 

Powertrain 

Providing propulsion for the Lynk & Co. 01 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine complemented by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) mounted at the front wheel axle. Here’s how much power the setup makes: 

Maximum power output (in horsepower [hp>)	258
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters [Nm>)	265

The said hybrid arrangement is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. 

Range-wise, the Lynk & Co. 01 can run up to 69 kilometers (km) on electric power alone. 

As for the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, the SUV is powered by a hybrid system with an electric vehicle-first approach. The PMSM propels the front wheel axle to produce the following numbers: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	194
Maximum torque (in Nm)	300

The 1.5-liter gasoline engine only serves as a generator or a range extender for the electric motor. Its combined range is up to 1,001 km. 

Raising the Changan banner, the Nevo Q05 sports a hybrid system with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a 18.4-kilowatt-hour battery. 

According to the carmaker, it makes the following figures: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	212
Maximum torque (in Nm)	330

Range-wise, owners can expect to get up to 125 km on electric power alone and up to 1,215 km  combined. 

Winner 

With a more powerful output, we give this round to the Lynk & Co. 01. The said capability ensures that owners will have more than enough “oomph” for various driving situations. 

Ready to bring home a new hybrid SUV? Check out our exclusive promos for the below models:  Lynk & Co. 01 BYD Sealion 5 DM-i  Changan Nevo Q05

Safety 

In terms of safety, the Lynk & Co. 01 has the following features: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) 
• Traction and stability control 
• Front and rear parking sensors 
• 360-degree view camera 
• Semi-automated parking 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Forward collision warning 
• Active high beam control 
• Driver alert control 
• Highway assistant 
• Traffic jam assistant 
• Lane change assistant 
• Lane departure warning 
• Lane keeping assistant 
• Blind spot detection 
• Rear cross-traffic alert 

Also putting forward a robust list of safety features is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. The said technologies include the following: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Traction control 
• Electronic stability control 
• ABS
• Electronic brake-force distribution 
• Hill hold control 
• Hill descent control 
• Tire pressure monitoring 
• Anti-roll-over control system 
• Electronic anti-theft system 
• Vehicle dynamic control system 
• Rear camera system 
• Cruise control 

Finally, the Changan Nevo Q05 offers the below safety features: 

• 360-degree view camera 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Lane departure warning 
• Lane change assist 
• Front collision warning 
• Traffic jam assist 
• AEB 
• Automatic parking assist 

Winner 

Almost all vehicles offer the same level of safety. However, the Lynk & Co. 01 slightly edges over the competition, which is why we will give it this round. 

Variants, pricing 

Below are the variants of the said nameplates. Also listed on the tables are their respective price tags: 

Lynk & Co. 01

Lynk & Co. 01 PHEV

P1.928 million

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i 

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i

P1.198 million

Changan Nevo Q05

Changan Nevo Q05 SE	P1.259 million
Changan Nevo Q05 ID	P1.449 million

Judging by the price tag, the most accessible model in the list is the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. Now that’s a win for the nameplate.  

Verdict 

With more rounds won, the clear winner of this three-way comparo is the Lynk & Co. 01.

It serves as a practical luxury for many motorists who are looking to drive a unique-looking SUV with a penchant for sustainability. 

Also read: 

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV CVT vs BYD Seal: new-energy sedan showdown

Honda BR-V, Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, Toyota Avanza: which is the best vacay-ready MPV?

Suzuki S-Presso, Toyota Wigo, Honda Brio: which small car is best for the big city?

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