Range anxiety is one of the major problems when it comes to EVs. While we proved that it’s possible to do a roundtrip to Subic from Quezon City with one charge, BYD is also open to offering hybrid cars in the Philippines, with the Sealion 6 DM-i as its latest offering. With an official price of under Php 1.6 million, the Sealion 6 DM-i features a combination of a high-power electric motor and a range extender, which allows it to cover a distance of over 1000 kilometers.

The DM-i system found on the Sealion 6 consists of an 18.3kWH BYD Blade battery that’s paired with a permanent synchronous magnet motor to power the front wheels. In full EV mode, the Sealion 6 DM-i has an output of 197PS and 325Nm and can travel for up to 105km, which is enough for city commutes. The range extender boosts power output to 217 PS and extends the Sealion 6 DM-i’s range to as much as 1608 kilometers based on a 4-day driving marathon that started from Bonifacio Global City and through the Luzon Loop, passing through Tuguegarao, Ilocos, and La Union.

During the launch event, former race car drivers Georges and Louis Ramirez shared their experience, where they were able to cover 1297.6 kilometers in three days–and still had a battery that’s good for 30 more kilometers and up to 247 kilometers with the range extender. This resulted in them extending the driving marathon to four days with a drive to Subic Bay and back to BGC, where they still had 48 kilometers left in extended battery range. 

Outside of its insane range, the Sealion 6 DM-i is a compact SUV that has premium looks and features. It has BYD’s Ocean X Face design that’s characterized by its wide front grille, Double U-shaped Suspension Headlights, and crystal texture light belts. You also get an Ocean Starlight-inspired rear fascia with full-width taillights and sequential turn signals, along with 19-inch alloy wheels.

As for premium features, the Sealion 6 DM-i has a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, roof rack, and heated and ventilated leather seats with 8-way driver and 4-way passenger power adjustments. You also get a 12.3-inch LCD for the digital instrument cluster, a large 15.6-inch rotating infotainment display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, and a 10-speaker Infinity Sound System. Front occupants have access to dual 15w wireless chargers, and both rows have access to USB-A and USB-C ports and a 12V power socket. The Sealion 6 DM-i also has keyless entry and NFC card access through its side mirrors.

For charging the car, the Sealion 6 DM-i supports public AC charging stations and comes with a 1.7kWh portable charger, along with a free 7kWr wall charger. The included portable charger can charge the Sealion 6 DM-i’s battery in around 9 hours while AC Mobility’s public chargers can top up the battery from 0 to 100% in around 3 hours.

The Sealion 6 DM-i is priced at Php 1,548,000 and 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.