The BYD Seal 5 DM-i wants to disrupt the market, starts at Php 948K

As if they have an unlimited number of models to bring into the market, BYD Cars Philippines expands its lineup once again with the introduction of the all-new Seal 5 DM-i.

The Seal 5 DM-i is BYD’s third model to join their Philippine lineup after the Sealion 6 DM-i and Seal EV. It was initially unveiled for the Chinese market as the Destroyer 05 DM-i and it looks like it’s set to destroy the competition with what it has to offer.

Starting with its variant lineup, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i is available in two trims which are as follows, together with their respective pricing:

• Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic – Php 948,000
• Seal 5 DM-i Premium – Php 1,198,000

That very competitive price point puts it against the Toyota Vios, Honda City, and Geely Emgrand subcompact sedans in terms of price. Meanwhile, its dimensions of 4,780mm (length), 1,837mm (width), and 1,495mm (height) puts it against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis compact sedans when it comes to size.

Making it stand-out further is its range-extended (or effectively plug-in hybrid) powertrain through BYD’s Super DM-i technology.

Powering the BYD Seal 5 is a 1.5-liter Xiaoyun naturally-aspirated Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine  that produces 106 horsepower and 135 Nm of torque which acts as a generator for the electric motor and lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

In the Dynamic, this is paired to an electric motor that makes 179 horsepower and 316 Nm, plus an 8.3 kWh battery which gives it an estimated all-electric driving range of 50 km or a full combined driving range of an estimated 1,175 km.

Meanwhile, the Premium gets a more powerful electric motor making 197 horsepower and 325 Nm, and an 18.3 kWh battery. This combination increases its all-electric range to 115 km and its combined driving range to 1,240 km.

As for charging, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i’s battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in around three to three and a half hours via Type 2 AC charging of between a maximum of 2.9 kW (Dynamic) to 6 kW (Premium).

Design-wise, BYD has gone a different direction on the outside. Unlike other models in BYD’s Ocean Series of which the Seal 5 is a part of, it wears a more aggressive front fascia with more horizontal and sharper lines. The side shows-off its fastback-like silhouette, while the rear gets a full-width light bar.

Inside, the Seal 5 DM-i will be very familiar, taking similar design cues from the Sealion 6 DM-i and Seal EV. In typical BYD fashion, a large rotating touchscreen is in the center, while the air vents are placed low. 

Standard equipment on the Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic are full LED exterior lighting, power-adjustable side mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather seat upholstery, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, and a reverse camera.

The Premium adds larger 17-inch alloy wheels, power-folding side mirrors, a sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, a wireless phone charger, eight-speaker audio system, and a 360-degree camera.

In terms of safety, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i comes standard with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, hydraulic brake assist, hill-start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, and traction control, among others. The Dynamic gets the added bonus of autonomous emergency braking.

BYD Cars Philippines says that they think the Seal 5 DM-i will be a game changer in its segment. With it as the first plug-in hybrid, plus its affordable price, do you think it really is?