I vividly remember the Geely Coolray’s arrival in 2019. It looked great, was practical, drove well, and, most importantly, was priced below what you’d expect for the features it offered. It has one of the highest ratings I’ve given to a vehicle I’ve tested, and I still stand by that rating five years on.
I am confident that most Coolray buyers (and didn’t crash them) will agree with me. It was an instant hit, becoming one of the most ubiquitous cars on the road – next to Toyotas, of course. But why am I talking about a Geely in a story about a BYD? That’s because BYD may have just pulled the same Coolray moment with its latest release.
BYD Philippines, now under AC Mobility, the automotive arm of the Ayala Group, has launched the Sealion 6 DM-i – a plug-in hybrid compact SUV with a mouthful name that goes beyond whatever expectations (and reservations) one might have from such a relatively new brand from the People’s Republic.
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i sports a stylish exterior that screams bold styling. It resembles a European luxury SUV (one with a horse on a crest for a logo). Measuring 4,775 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, it’s slightly wider than a Toyota Fortuner but still marginally smaller overall.
The LED lighting at the front and back, including a full-width LED strip, is distinct and features built-in crystal texture light belts that give it a head-turning look. The 19-inch rims are perfectly proportional to its body, maintaining a sleek yet powerful appearance. Overall, the car looks incredibly good while retaining a sophisticated and sleek profile.
Step inside the Sealion 6 DM-i and you’ll be greeted with leather seats offering 8-way power adjustability for the driver and 4-way for the passenger. The materials feel premium – a significant step up from the usual BYD vehicles available locally. Both front seats come with heating and ventilating functions, adding to the comfort level. With only two rows, the SUV promises a roomy cabin relative to its size.
The interior boasts advanced features, including a 12.3-inch LCD for the digital instrument cluster, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, and a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10-speaker Infinity Luxury Sound System ensures a high-quality audio experience, while the BYD DiLink connectivity introduces a voice assistant feature, 4G connectivity, and the ability to receive software updates over the air. Dual 15W Wireless Chargers allow for easy mobile phone charging on the go.
Additional conveniences include keyless entry, NFC card access, USB Type-A and Type-C ports for the front and second row, and a 12-volt power socket. The new electric SUV also supports the BYD App, providing owners with more information and remote control over their vehicle through their mobile phones.
Safety is a strong suit for the Sealion 6 DM-i. It comes equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control System, Electronic Stability Control System, Hill Descent Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Comfort Braking, and an Electronic Anti-Theft System.
It also comes with the BYD DiPilot Advanced Driver Assistance System: 360-degree View Camera System with See-Through mode, six-sensor radar system with two sensors in the front and four in the rear, Intelligent Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Assistance, Automatic Emergency Braking System, Front Collision Warning, Traffic Congestion Assistance, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Limit Information, and Intelligent Speed Limit Control.
The Sealion 6 DM-i is powered by the advanced BYD Super DM-i platform, functioning primarily as an EV with a range extender. The range-extended EV system allows for an impressive total driving distance of more than 1,000 kilometers. It features a permanent synchronous magnet motor paired with an 18.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate Ultra-Safe BYD Blade Battery, sending power to the front wheels via an E-CVT. The motor produces 197 hp and 325 Nm of torque, capable of traveling approximately 105 kilometers in Full EV mode without any emissions. With its range extender, the total power output jumps to 217 hp while retaining the same torque figures.
The Sealion 6 DM-i can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, and in Extended-Range mode, its total driving distance increases to over 1,000 kilometers. BYD Philippines even facilitated its own test prior to its launch, reaching 1,608 kilometers on one full charge and one full tank.
The Sealion 6 DM-i can use public AC charging stations and comes standard with a 1.7 kW portable charger. Additionally, a free 7kW wall charger is provided, allowing for faster charging times at home. For added convenience, the electric compact SUV features vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, enabling it to power common household appliances or tools.
Using AC public charging using its Type-2 port, the Sealion 6 DM-i can be charged from 0 to 100% in 2.6 to 3 hours. Using the included portable charger will need nine hours of charging, which you can do overnight.
And then there’s the clincher – the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is priced at P1,548,000, which undercuts every plug-in hybrid SUV in the Philippines. If you’re in the market for an EV (but still has reservations to go the full battery-electric route), the Sealion 6 could be the SUV for you.
Truth be told, you can’t find another SUV that can provide this value while still offering all the benefits of electrified mobility. Much like the Geely Coolray, this new BYD SUV has the potential to become a popular choice among car buyers looking for value and quality. Given the mostly positive reactions I see online, I won’t be surprised if this happens.
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is available in one variant with three color options: Azure Blue, Arctic White, and Harbour Gray. The Azure Blue and Arctic White models feature an interior in white and navy blue, while the Harbour Gray color comes with a black and tan cabin.
For customers’ peace of mind, it comes with a 6-year or 150,000-km Vehicle Warranty, an 8-year or 150,000-km Electric Motor Warranty, and an 8-year or 160,000-km Warranty for its Blade Battery.
