Hats off to the folks at BYD Cars Philippines—when it came to marketing their first-ever plug-in hybrid, the Sealion 6 DM-i. They managed to grab attention for one thing: its 1,100-kilometer range. They’ve emphasized that further when they decided to test the bladders (and patience) of the motoring press as they drove from Manila to Ilocos and back in just a tank of gas. But beyond the distance it can go between fill-ups, does it offer more than your average compact SUV? Turns out that it does, especially when you consider its P 1.548-million price tag.
Before discussing that, let me address the elephant in the room: the fuel economy. With an 18.3-kWh battery and a 60-liter fuel tank, BYD’s claim of a combined range of 1,100 kilometers doesn’t seem all that spectacular. Simple arithmetic reveals that it’s just 18.33 km/L—comparable to a typical non-plug-in hybrid setup or even a diesel-powered SUV. But focusing on the consumption figure alone doesn’t tell the whole story. See, a plug-in hybrid will never reach the same level of efficiency as a typical hybrid or a battery electric vehicle for one reason: it’s carrying two full powertrains, but only uses one at any given time. True enough, with a 1,830-kilogram curb weight, it’s heavier than a Honda CR-V RS e:HEV or even the BYD Atto 3.
That said, the Sealion 6 DM-i offers one fundamental consumer benefit that escapes most people, including BYD’s rivals: the ability to plug-in and charge. For as long as you keep that lithium-iron-phosphate battery topped up (and remember, BYD’s throwing in a complimentary wall box charger), you consume zero liters of fuel. And with a real-world EV range that lines up with its specs (105 kilometers), you can do your home to office commute (and back) without ever needing to fill up. In my case, it’s about two and a half days’ worth and because I’ve invested in solar panels and a 7-kW wall box (shoutout to the folks at Juice Booster), topping up takes just 2 and a half hours. So yes, I’m basically using free energy to drive around.
Better still, even if you forget to plug in or need to drive far on the fly, the Sealion 6 DM-i can switch to gas power. Most of the time, the 1.5-liter engine’s role is to keep the battery charged above 20 percent. This means that drive is provided by the electric motor that produces a healthy 197 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. In rare circumstances, the driver can command a total of 217 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque since the Atkinson cycle engine’s still connected to the front wheels via a E-CVT gearbox.
The entire week the Sealion 6 DM-i was with me, I consumed just 7.6 liters of fuel and 34.4 kWh of battery equating to 43 km/L and 9.5 km/kWh (average speed of 14 km/h). Bonkers, right?
Now, the Sealion 6 DM-i is unabashedly designed as a commuter compact SUV (read: it’s not dynamically impressive). Any aggressive jabs of the accelerator will always result in wheel spin before the stability control kicks in; and kick in it will—repeatedly—especially when going over greasy tarmac. It also happens to champion ride comfort above all else. It is mighty impressive going through any size of pothole (the body structure is impressively solid), but the flipside is that it feels far too soft and pillowy. It’s as if BYD made no effort to hide the body roll here. Flipping through the vehicle menu reveals different Steering and Brake Pedal modes (Comfort and Sport), alas it’s just about adding or subtracting the level of effort. Even in a straight line, the light steering requires tons of micro corrections which may tire out drivers particularly on very long drives. Ditto with the brakes which bite well, but have this wooden feel.
On the other hand, the Sealion 6 DM-i scores very high on refinement with the switchover between electric and gas power being completely seamless (save for a slight vibration emanating from the accelerator whenever the combustion engine switches on). The NVH is also top-notch, giving Japan’s best a run for their money. The only kink? The surprisingly audible high-pitched whine of the electric motor.
Despite being marketed as part of BYD’s Ocean series of vehicles together with the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seagull, the Sealion 6 DM-i was the compact SUV formerly known as the Song Plus. If you were overly critical of it, you’d see how the futuristic front and rear ends don’t really jive with the conservative side profile. But, because designers showed restraint here, it’ll pass off as a pleasantly modern-looking compact SUV with clean, timeless lines. One big bonus? It doesn’t have the cheesy, “Build Your Dreams” motto splattered across the tailgate.
The same level of design restraint is shown inside the Sealion 6 DM-i. Compared to the musculature theme of the Atto 3 or the aquatic theme (complete with sound effects) in the Dolphin, this one is far more straightforward. Most of the materials are classy, particularly in the big-ticket items like the dash topper, door cards, and seats. Some minor controls—particularly the window and steering wheel switches—fail to make the grade. No complaints about the distinct white/blue colorway, but more conservative folk will like the fact that a black/brown scheme is also available.
The driving position is typical for an SUV—perched high for excellent forward visibility. There’s good levels of adjustment available and it’s easy enough to get comfortable in the one-piece front buckets. Instead of the gauges jutting out of the dash, this one integrates it into a classic binnacle. At 12.3 inches, it’s easy-to-read even in direct sunlight. There are two designs to choose from, but it simply changes the shape from hexagonal to round.
At the center, there’s a laptop-sized (15.6-inch) infotainment screen that, in typical BYD fashion, rotates either in portrait or landscape view. Using the same Google-based OS in the Atto 3 and Dolphin, the sheer screen size means it’s now easier to hit functions. Of course, you can also rely on the quick-witted BYD Assistant voice command function. Updates to the OS mean the climate control is permanently fixed to the bottom part of the screen (even in CarPlay mode). Three-finger swipes also control the temperature (up and down) and fan speed (left and right). Oh, and speaking of smartphone mirroring, it has both wired and wireless connections, with wired ones being more reliable.
BYD is positioning the Sealion 6 DM-i as a competitor to the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross and that may be true in terms of price. However, in terms of dimensions, its 4,775 mm length and 2,765 mm wheelbase make it even larger than the Honda CR-V! True enough, there’s no shortage of space here with generous amounts of room front or back. In particular, the rear passengers get a fully-flat floor with adjustable seat reclines. The cargo hold’s also equally cavernous beating the CX-5 with the rear seats up (552 liters versus 471 liters) and the CR-V with the rear seats down (1,440 liters versus 1,064 liters).
And just when you thought the Sealion 6 DM-i package couldn’t get more complete, it’s kitted with everything but the kitchen sink. Power adjustment front seats with heating and ventilation, dual zone climate control with a PM2.5 filter and rear vents, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 10-speaker Infinity sound system all come as standard. In the safety department, it’s just as robust. With its full suite of active and passive safety tech (including a complete set of front-facing ADAS), it manages to be a 5-star Euro NCAP and Australasian NCAP rated SUV. If anything, the only thing lacking here would be blind spot monitors.
I never really like to throw the term, “gamechanger,” but that’s exactly what the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is. Though it falls short in terms of driving fun, it excels in just about everything else. Buyers will surely be piqued by it because of its stupendous fuel economy, but they’ll find that there’s more—way more—to like. Whether it’s the high levels of tech, space, equipment, and safety, this compact SUV has it all.
|
2024 BYD Sealion 6 DM-i |
|
| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Great value, high levels of refinement, spacious, full equipment. |
| Cons | Not the sharpest tool when it comes to canyon carving. |
| TL;DR | Come for the impressive range, stay for everything else. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2024 |
| Warranty |
6 years / 150,000
kilometer 8 years / 160,000 kilometers (high-voltage battery) |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Compact SUV |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.5 |
| Aspiration | Normally Aspirated |
| Fuel Delivery | EFI |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) |
106 197 (Electric Motor) 217 (Combined) |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) |
135 300 (Electric Motor) 325 (Combined) |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | E-CVT |
| Cruise Control | Yes, Adaptive |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) |
43 km/L (14 km/h), 9.5 km/kWh (14 km/h) |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) |
60, 18.3 kWh |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,775 |
| Width (mm) | 1,890 |
| Height (mm) | 1,670 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,765 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,830 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Multi-link |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Giti GitiComfort 225 V1 235/50 R 19 V (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 36 all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Front & Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System |
Lane Keeping Assist Lane Departure Warning Automatic Emergency Braking Front Collision Warning Traffic Sign Recognition |
| Other Safety Features |
Hill Start Assist Hill Descent Control Tire Pressure Monitoring |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, Rear |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Rain-sensing |
| Tailgate | Power |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic, Manual |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | 8-way, Electronic, w/ Heating, Ventilation |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | 4-way, Electronic, w/ Heating, Ventilation |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Yes |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 12.3-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Dual, w/ Rear Vents |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | Yes x 2 |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 15.6-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) Android Auto (Wireless) |
| # of Speakers | 10, Infinity |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
Haval and jolion no more, sorry comrades.
ReplyDeleteThat's why i still keep on visiting your site reading interesting articles like this because of your brutal honesty sir uly. This vehicle really is hard to ignore being super value for the price. the only major cons a buyer would hesitate to get this is the country where it came from. Byd is indeed something else, it really has the edge from other china brands, hence the toyota's decision to house their future hevs.
ReplyDeleteGood review. For the plug in to be useful, buyers must have a garage or an available plug which is hard for condo dwellers. Overall another option in the market
ReplyDeleteYes. To maximize the potential of the Sealion 6, you need to plug in.
DeleteHow's the build quality? Would it be comparable to a Mazda or Honda? Does the door sound solid when you close it?
ReplyDeleteIt actually sounds quite solid. I'd have to say better than ANY other Chinese offering out there. General build quality is good, but there are still some cheap bits like the controls (mentioned in the review).
DeleteVery impressive and good pricing too. Good job BYD AC Mobility! It looks like a porsche cayenne from a far. Very much agree "a pleasantly modern-looking compact SUV with clean, timeless lines".
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your comprehensive review both pros and cons. In my case, I have so much fun driving it for 45 days and counting from home to work and vice versa(36 kms. back and forth). I can live with the cons that you mentioned plus the absence of a spare tire. The top five features that I like most are: 1. voice command 2. top notch 10 speaker infinity sound system 3.NVH close to non-existent 4.Tremendous power and acceleration from a standstill position and overtaking.5. crisp and clear 360 camera and easy to use infotainment system. Not to mention that I have yet to visit again the gasoline station since I bought it early August. (caveat: Im using mixed ev and hev modes)
ReplyDeleteI like.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the process to come up with 43 km/L (14 km/h),
ReplyDelete9.5 km/kWh (14 km/h)?
Good question. The Sealion 6 DM-i has a menu that shows the consumption. So, I simply:
Delete1. Reset the trip meter.
2. Reset the consumption readings.
It will then separately track your fuel consumption and energy consumption separately (even down to your odometer in both EV and HEV modes).
The car does have some way to come up with a combined total, but this only tracks the consumption for the past 50 kilometers (odd). Using this as basis, my last reading was 22.72 km/L.
But based on the total odometer reading (around 5K km old), it's about 22.22 km/L.
Hope this clarifies.
and cue the free mall chargers always being full nowadays
ReplyDeleteSana naman wag. Mall chargers should prioritize pure EVs first and foremost. Plus, they should check their available charge. If they're above 80 percent, no reason for them to hog the chargers.
DeleteThe problem with mall chargers is that they double as parking slots. We’re expecting EV drivers to monitor the charge of their EVs when they’re busy in the mall. Also, the car is already parked, do we expect it to move to a different slot so other EVs can charge? Next-in-liners will most likely have to wait for the first-comers to finish their business in the mall before they can take their spots.
DeleteThis is really being disciplined and delicadeza na. I think it should still be free for all regardless of the SOC, but there should be delicadeza to transfer if full charge na. If you can't get back to it, then don't park on the charging spots. Biased opinion though is I would like it to be for full EVs only, but good luck...
DeleteThis is also where the byd app is useful since you can keep track of the SOC.
Byd is known for bev's but lately they are releasing hybrids. Any idea about the gas engine. Is that in house byd? Or sourced from another brand. The ice component is very critical and might me the weak point of the car
ReplyDelete