If you’re one of those people who want to buy an Electric Vehicle but are worried about the drivable range or not having a charger nearby, then the BYD Seal 5 DM-i may just be the car for you. For a car that comes in under the 1,000,000 PHP price point, this HEV packs quite the punch. Yes, you heard that right! While other EV’s and hybrids are priced well over the 1M mark, this stylish sedan is affordable at 948,000 PHP.
More Than Just Another Hybrid
The BYD Seal 5 DM-i is the next revolutionary step in the EV and HEV world. It’s the first hybrid on the market to be specifically targeted to the everyday individual. It was designed with the family and the everyday commuter in mind. You can see this in the design concept of the car, as well as the competitive price tag.
With that said, the lower price does not mean a lower quality car. The folks over at BYD ensured that the car was affordable while being up to industry standards and then some. From safety features to power, this car did not skimp out at all!
We had the esteemed pleasure of taking the car on a little spin around North Luzon for three days and boy, was it a treat.
The power of the car was no joke! The smooth acceleration made the drives on the highway exciting and fun. The acceleration felt snappy and clean with every press of the acceleration pedal. No revving noise and jerky shifting with this hybrid! The steering and handling of the BYD Seal 5 was smooth as butter. It felt tight and responsive with every turn and corner feeling maneuverable even at high speeds.
If you think that this little sedan was built only for the main roads, you’d be absolutely wrong. We took the BYD Seal 5 up the mountains of Bataan and Batangas during the drive. The curves and sharp corners of the mountain roads were a breeze in the Seal 5. The ride was also pretty smooth despite the bumps in the road thanks to the amazing suspension and tires of the BYD Seal 5. Every bump, crack, and vibration was reduced to a mere buzz.
Say Goodbye to Wasted Milage
After everything we just said, we hope you haven’t forgotten that this is still a Hybrid EV at the end of the day. Slow vehicles with small Electric ranges are a thing of the past! The BYD Seal 5 DM-i has a combined total range of over 1100KM thanks to its 47L gas tank and battery. Speaking of battery, its battery has a rating of over 50KM on a full charge and is powerful enough for steep climbs and long city driving. Couple that with its regenerative braking technology, the Seal 5 is perfect for the urban jungle.
It sounds too good to be true, yes. We felt the same way when we first saw the spec sheet but that all changed after the three day drive. On a single full tank of gas, we drove from Pasay to Zambales. Then, from Zambales to Subic to Bataan and then back to Subic, and back to Pasay. That was a total combined distance of 828.1 KM and we still had gas good enough for 196 KM left in the tank.
This was thanks to the regenerative braking system built into the car. Everytime you brake, you generate charge that then goes back into the battery and recharges it back up. Energy efficient and powerful? What more could you ask for in a hybrid?
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, HEVs are the future of driving. This drive around Luzon proved that they’re every bit as capable and more than your regular gas guzzler. If you have range anxiety or are looking to transition to an EV, we can’t recommend the BYD Seal 5 DM-i enough! It’s perfect for long trips and daily commutes, and it’s a great investment in the long run. You won’t regret getting one and we can guarantee it!
