BYD Sealion 6 DM-i could be updated soon with new variants, fast charging
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i remains a very popular choice among buyers looking for an affordable yet feature-packed electrified compact crossover. That’s despite the presence of newer and more affordable competition with more modern features and tech, and increased pricing compared to before.
But it looks like BYD Cars Philippines is set to make its plug-in hybrid crossover a bit more competitive with an update that could come soon for the 2027 model year, based on available public information.
For starters, from just one Advanced variant now, the 2027 BYD Sealion 6 DM-i could come in two–Dynamic and Premium, similar to other offerings in the brand’s stable. We’re not expecting any big design updates, but there are significant changes to the crossover’s possible specifications.
It will still get BYD’s Super DM-i powertrain–a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine making 106 horsepower and 135Nm of torque. This provides power to a single electric motor that has been updated to make the same 197 horsepower and a slightly reduced 300Nm of torque (-25Nm). Combined output is 217 horsepower and 300Nm.
Its LFP battery retains the same 18.3kWh capacity, and it still gets a 60L fuel tank. This is good for an all-electric driving range of 100km, down by 5km, but with an increased total range of up to 1,200km, up by 100km.
The Dynamic variant’s battery can either be replenished by the engine or Type 2 AC charging (6.6kW), taking three hours from 15-100%, while the Premium variant adds the option for CCS2 DC fast charging (18kW), taking 30 minutes from 30-80%. This puts it in line with other newer BYD DM-i products such as the Tang DM-i and eMax 9 DM-i, as well as rivals such as the Geely EX5 EM-i, which all offer DC charging.
As for other features and equipment, the Dynamic still gets most of the goodies of the current Sealion 6 DM-i, but with a few changes that should probably make it more affordable. It gets all-LED exterior lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, a manual tailgate, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a smaller 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio system, and a manual day and night rear-view mirror.
The Premium variant is similar to the current Advanced variant, having features such as a power tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, sound-proof and privacy glass windows, a larger 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, a 10-speaker Infinity premium sound system, rain-sensing wipers, dual 15W wireless phone chargers, and BYD’s DiPilot suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS).
We don’t have pricing yet, but by the looks of it and based on the current BYD Sealion 6 DM-i Advanced variant, the Dynamic could be priced lower than the current Php 1,598,000 suggested retail price, while the Premium could be priced ever so slightly higher if not the same.
With rivals becoming more competitive, do you think these updates could make the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i remain the segment’s top-seller?
