BYD Seal 6 DM-iPremium Sedan

BYD has been busy filling every gap in its Singapore line-up, and the Seal 6 DM-i is its answer to people who like the idea of an EV but are not quite ready to give up the petrol tank. It's the brand's first plug-in hybrid sedan here, and we spent time with the Premium version to see whether it makes sense for everyday Singapore life.

So what does DM-i actually mean? It stands for Dual Mode Intelligence (BYD also calls it "Super Hybrid"). In plain English, the car tries to drive on electricity as much as possible. The 1.5-litre petrol engine mostly works in the background, charging the battery and helping out at higher speeds or when the battery runs low. You can also switch between EV and HEV modes yourself, so you decide whether to save the battery for later or use it up first.

First impression? Sleek. The Seal 6 DM-i has a clean, flowing shape that looks more expensive than it is. Up front, the grille has a wave-like pattern, a nod to BYD's ocean theme, and the lower grille gets chrome bits and body-coloured trim that dress it up nicely without going overboard.

If you're wondering how to tell it apart from the regular Seal 6, look at the front bumper and the tail lights. Both are designed differently on the DM-i, so it has its own identity in the car park.

Step inside and things are pretty basic and simple. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a no-frills cabin that gets on with the job. You still get a leather-wrapped dashboard, ambient lighting for the night drives and a panoramic glass roof that makes the cabin feel brighter.

Infotainment & Sound

The 12.8-inch infotainment screen is easy to use, and the 8.8-inch driver's display gives you what you need at a glance. The best part for us: pairing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay was easy, so you're streaming your playlist before you've even left the HDB car park.

The Button We Have Feelings About

Here's our main gripe. The engine start/stop button sits in a row with other buttons, including the EV/HEV mode switch and the hazard lights. We felt it should live closer to the steering wheel, because it's very easy to press the wrong one. Nobody wants to switch on the hazards when they just wanted to start the car.

Seats & Comfort

Comfort is one of its strong points for the price. It's an easy car to settle into, and nothing about it feels like hard work on a daily drive.

Rear Passenger Space

Legroom at the back is okay, but headroom is on the low side, so taller passengers may notice it. Two adults fit just nice. Three adults can work, depending on who they are and how far you're going. A short makan run, sure. A long drive up north, maybe draw lots.

Rear passengers aren't forgotten though. There are rear aircon vents to keep things cool in our weather, plus USB-C ports so everyone can keep their phones alive on the way to JB.

The boot gives you 491 litres, which is a decent size for a sedan. Weekly groceries, a couple of luggage bags for a weekend away or the golf set should all go in without a fight.

Ride & Handling

The Seal 6 DM-i is easy to handle and nothing too sophisticated. The steering is light, which makes tight car parks and multi-storey ramps a breeze. There is a small amount of body roll, which is expected for a car like this. You will feel some vibration going over speed bumps and humps though, so take those condo humps slowly.

With 219bhp and 260Nm from the combined system, there's enough go for merging onto the expressway without drama.

Refinement

Road noise is average. You can hear it quite clearly. At higher speeds, a bit more noise gets into the cabin, but it's generally okay. When the engine works harder at higher revs, it can get slightly louder too. Around town in EV mode, though, it's the quiet you'd expect from an electric car.

Range & Charging

On paper, the 19kWh battery gives you about 105km of electric range, and the total combined range is around 1,300km. For most of us, that means weekdays could be mostly electric, with the petrol engine saved for long trips across the Causeway.

*Figures are manufacturer claims gathered from our test drive notes and official BYD information. Range figures are "on paper" and will vary in real-world use. Please check with the authorised dealer for the latest specifications and pricing.