BYD Seal 5 DM-i: 2 terrific trims

BYD Cars Philippines has launched the highly-anticipated Seal 5 DM-i not too long ago. Its arrival proved that Filipino car buyers do not have to go broke trying to switch to a more sustainable means of mobility as the base variant of the hybrid sedan costs less than P1 million. 

Speaking of variants, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i is offered here in the country in two trims. Depending on which grade would-be owners will pick can add benefits to their motoring needs as well as add value to their sustainable lifestyle. 

Interested in finding out how these variants differ? Then join us as we take a deep dive to check out the BYD Seal 5 DM-i’s two terrific trims. 

Dynamic 

First, we check out the entry-level variant of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i. 

Dubbed the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic, this base grade comes packed with a handful of features and appointments that are sure to turn heads. Let’s start by giving its exterior a quick look. 

Exterior 

Outside, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic presents a classy appearance characterized by an abundance of vertical lines, mostly found at its fore. There, it gets a very elegant grille flanked by a pair of LED headlamps, daytime running lights, and turn signals. 

At the center of the linear latticework is the company’s emblem. 

To its sides, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic wears body-colored side mirrors (with power-adjust features) and door handles paired with blacked-out pillars and chrome trims on its windows. Symmetrical bodylines give the electrified sedan a strong and stable appearance while a set of 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 255/60 series tires give it a good stance. 

At the back, the said variant echoes the design cues found at the electrified vehicle’s front end. A horizontal light bar that connects the two LED tail lamps provides it a coherent look. Its streamlined hind is also bedecked with chrome fittings of the “BYD” emblem, the “Seal 5” nameplate, and the car’s new-energy platform, “DM-i.” 

Interior 

Up next is a quick tour of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic’s cabin, which gives car buyers an opulent interior despite the variant’s base model designation. 

Welcoming the driver is a leather-covered steering wheel with multi-functional controls and brushed silver appliques on its three sporty spokes. Speaking of sporty, the seats of the hybrid sedan are designed to look like bucket seats, which adds a dash of playfulness to its otherwise luxurious cockpit. This variant has a manual six-way driver’s seat with manual height adjustment. 

While seated, the driver is presented with an 8.8-inch LCD digital instrument cluster which displays the following information: 

• The car’s speed
• The hybrid vehicle’s battery level 
• Its estimated range
• The selected or engaged gear

Taking center stage is the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic’s rotating 12.8-inch infotainment screen. The said monitor is wireless Apple Carplay- and Android Auto-ready as standard, which means that would-be owners can seamlessly connect their smartphones to the infotainment unit with relative ease — and without the unnecessary (and sometimes annoying) cables. 

With their smart devices paired, the rotating function of the infotainment screen will prove to be useful. In portrait mode, drivers can better get a view of navigation applications and online maps. When in landscape mode, passengers can enjoy the expanded real estate to check out audio and podcast applications. 

Audio is directed to the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic’s six speakers. 

Keeping its passengers cool on hot days is an automatic air conditioning system. 

Hybrid powertrain 

Under the hood of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. However, since the hybrid sedan was designed with an electric vehicle-first approach, the said internal combustion engine only works as a generator or a “range extender” for the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) installed at the front wheel axle of the sedan. 

The electric motor — paired with an 8.3 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery — can produce as much as 117 horsepower (hp) with 316 Newton-meters of torque. In terms of range, the said variant can do 50 kilometers (km) using the electric motor alone. When the range extender in play, it pushes the numbers up to 1,175 km. 

Safety 

When it comes to safety, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic comes out of the factory with the following technologies: 

• Airbags
• Seatbelts
• Traction control
• Vehicle dynamic control
• Anti-lock braking 
• Hydraulic brake assist 
• electronic brakeforce distribution 
• Hill start control 
• Tire pressure monitoring 

In addition to the features listed above, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic also comes with controlled deceleration for its electronic parking brake, comfort braking, a rear view camera system, four sensors placed at the rear of the vehicle, and cruise control. 

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic is priced at P948,000. 

Premium 

The range-topping variant of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i is the Premium trim.

Now, it sports all the features found on the abovementioned Dynamic grade, but gets additional appointments that elevate the overall experience of its owners. 

Exterior 

On top of everything the base model has to offer, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium comes with power-adjustable and power-folding side mirrors. In addition, it also has puddle lamps and rides on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 215/55 radial tires. 

Interior 

The overall layout of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium is virtually identical to its entry-level counterpart. Some subtle differences that improve the comfort of the occupants add an upmarket feel to the top-tier grade.

These include a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a dual-zone automatic air conditioning system, eight speakers, a sunroof, improved interior lighting, and more cubbies for the passenger’s beverages. 

Hybrid powertrain

Arguably the biggest difference between the two models can be found on their powertrain units. While the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium uses a similar 1.5-liter gasoline engine as its range extender, it now packs a larger lithium-ion phosphate battery rated with a capacity of 18.3 kWh. 

Thanks to its beefy Blade battery, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium is capable of dishing out some 194 hp with 325 Nm. The range is also improved with the said model pushing up to 115 km in pure electric mode and up to 1,240 km when the range extender kicks in. 

Due to the larger battery capacity of the range-topping variant, BYD Cars Philippines is packaging the model with a seven kilowatt wall-mounted charger. 

Putting the bigger battery to good use, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium is also capable of recharging other appliances through its vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature. Of course, a V2L adapter is also packed with the hybrid vehicle. 

Safety 

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium comes with the same set of safety features as the Dynamic variant. However, its advanced driver-assist technologies are bolstered with a 360-degree view camera with a “see-through mode” and additional radars placed at the fore of the sedan. 

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium costs P1.198 million. 

Summary 

Filipino car buyers wanting to transition to a cleaner means of transportation can find the right travel partner or daily driver in the BYD Seal 5 DM-i. The available variants ensure that BYD Cars Philippines’ customers can find the ideal trim that can suit their budget and motoring needs. 

Here’s a table that quickly shows the differences between the two variants: 

	BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic	BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium
Battery (in kWh)	8.3	18.3
All-electric range (in km)	50	115
Combined range (in km)	1,175	1,240
Maximum power (in hp)	117	194
Maximum torque (in Nm)	316	325
Wheels	16-inch alloy	17-inch alloy
Tires	255/60	215/55
Side mirrors	Power adjustable	Power adjustable, power folding
Puddle lamps	Without	With
Driver’s seat	Manual adjustable	Power adjustable
Air conditioning	Auto climate	Dual-zone, auto climate
Speakers	Six	Eight
Sunroof	Without	With
Foot well lighting	Without	With
Front cup holders	Center console x 2, door panel x 2	Center console x 2, door panel x 2
Rear cup holders	Door panel x 2	Door panel x 2, center x 2
Price	P948,000	P1.198 million

 

Also read:

BYD Cars PH rolls out Seal 5 DM-i

BYD celebrates 30th anniversary

BYD Cars PH breaks ground for soon-to-rise Bacoor dealership