PEVS 2025 | The BYD eMax 9 DM-i officially launches in PH, prices start at Php 2.678M
After months of sightings on public roads, teasers, and even a hint during a recent media trip in China, BYD Cars Philippines, under the distributorship of ACMobility, has officially launched at the 2025 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) its first entry into the minivan segment.
Say nǐ hǎo to the BYD eMax 9 DM-i which is set to compete with the likes of the Kia Carnival, and the GAC M8 and Toyota Alphard to some extent.
Known as the Xia in China, two variants are available for the Philippine market at the following prices:
- eMax 9 DM-i Advanced – Php 2,678,000
- eMax 9 DM-i Premium – Php 2,998,000
Whichever variant you get, the two are largely identical with each other, at least on the outside.
For starters, the BYD eMax 9 DM-i measures at 5,145mm long, 1,970mm wide, and 1,805mm tall, putting it right in between the Toyota Alphard and Kia Carnival in terms of size.
Its design is typical of BYD’s Dynasty Line. The front fascia is dominated by a large front grille flanked by slim headlights and triangular vertical side vents. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gray, and features dual sliding doors. The rear gets a full-width light bar with a distinct lighting pattern, and an integrated tailgate spoiler.
Standard exterior equipment on both are full LED lighting, 18-inch wheels finished in gray, dual power sliding doors, and a power tailgate. Available exterior color options are Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black, and Aurora White.
The cabin is a minimalistic affair with a flat and layered dashboard layout, with luxurious visual and surface bits such as large amounts of gloss black plastics and soft-touch surfaces. The Advanced variant gets a black interior, while the Premium gets a two-tone brown and beige color scheme.
Standard on both variants is a 12.3-inch fully-digital driver’s display, a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, power and ventilated front seats, and a column-mounted gear selector.
Differences are more apparent inside as exclusive to the Advanced are second-row captain’s chairs, an eight-speaker audio system, and leather seats. The Premium takes it up a notch with electrically-adjustable second-row seats with massage function, ventilation, butterfly headrests, and power leg rests; Nappa leather upholstery, a 12-speaker audio system, a 50W wireless phone charger, power-folding third row, 128-color ambient lighting, and a center-console refrigerator.
The BYD eMax 9 DM-i shares its Super DM-i powertrain with the Tang DM-i midsize crossover. The system combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired to an electric motor, and produces a healthy total of 271 horsepower and 315Nm of torque.
The Advanced variant gets a 20.4kWh battery that allows for a pure electric range of 95km and a total combined range of 945km. Meanwhile, the Premium gets a larger 36.6kWh battery, allowing for a 170km pure electric range, the largest for any BYD DM-i in the Philippines right now, and 1,000km of combined range.
The battery can also be replenished through both standard Type 2 AC charging and CCS2 DC charging, the latter taking about 30 minutes from 30 to 80%.
Safety-wise, the Premium variant benefits from BYD’s DiPilot suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). This gives it adaptive cruise control, front and rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and braking, intelligent cruise control, lane departure assistance, intelligent high beam control, blind spot monitoring, and door opening warning.
Just like with other BYD products, buyers of the eMax 9 DM-i will be able to take advantage of a six-year or 150,000km vehicle warranty, an eight-year or 160,000km battery warranty, and an eight-year or 150,000km electric motor warranty.
Do you think the BYD eMax 9 DM-i has what it takes to steal sales from its established minivan rivals? If you want to see it in the metal, it will be on display at the 2025 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) until October 25 (Saturday), and at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk until October 26 (Sunday).
Photos by Sam Surla
