The biggest draw, however, remains BYD’s Super DM-i powertrain. Although it still has an Atkinson cycle 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine on board, by relying on electric power first (with up to 197 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque) and a large battery (18.3-kWh at its largest), the Seal 5 DM-i is projected to go up to 1,240 kilometers using the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) standard; 115 kilometers of that in pure electric range.

Not wanting to stick to just the theoretical, BYD Cars Philippines brought the Seal 5 DM-i on a road trip to just see how far it can go in one full charge and one full tank of gas. It’s a similar exercise they did with the larger and heavier Sealion 6 DM-i which it shares its powertrain with. At the time, it happened to produce a stonking 1,608 kilometers.

Can the Seal 5 DM-i do better?

Enlisting veteran racer George Ramirez, a couple of Seal 5 DM-i Premium sedans went through this route without refueling or charging:

• Day 1 – BGC, Taguig to Tuguegarao
• Day 2 – Tuguegarao to Caba, La Union
• Day 3 – Caba, La Union to BGC, Taguig
• Day 4 – BGC Taguig to Clark, Pampanga to Lipa, Batangas to BGC, Taguig

In the end, the Seal 5 DM-i did manage to beat both its NEDC range and even the previous record held by the Sealion 6 DM-i. Total combined range? 1,645.2 kilometers, despite the smaller fuel tank (48 liters to 60 liters). And yes, this was independently verified and certified by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). As George would say, “Holy smokes.”

With its fuel-efficient powertrain and once-a-year PMS, BYD Cars Philippines says that the cost of ownership is 40 percent less compared to other sub-compacts out there. Even better, opt for the Seal 5 DM-i Premium variant, and you get a free 7-kW wall box charger. This means that short, daily trips can be done without the gas engine ever turning on.