BYD Sealion seals the deal

BYD Sealion seals the deal | Daily Tribune

BYD Philippines, through ACMobility, has officially introduced the Sealion 5 DM-i, a compact electrified SUV aimed at drivers looking to shift into electric mobility without giving up practicality, range, or affordability.

The Sealion 5 joins the growing lineup of BYD’s electrified vehicles in the Philippines, following the recent launches of the Sealion 6, the Seal 5 sedan and the Shark 6 SUV. This time, the spotlight is on first-time buyers, those who want a modern, tech-savvy car that’s easy to live with and can go the distance.

Underneath the Sealion 5’s sharp looks is BYD’s Super DM-i system, a plug-in hybrid setup that leans heavily on electric power but is backed up by a fuel engine for longer trips. It puts out 197 PS and 300 Nm of torque, enough to get from zero to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. Three driving modes, Eco, Normal, and Sport, let drivers tailor the ride to suit traffic, mood, or terrain.

On a full tank and a full battery, BYD says the Sealion 5 can cover more than 1,000 kilometers. That’s not just a number on a brochure. George and Louis Ramirez, both seasoned race car drivers, recently proved it by driving 1,409.7 kilometers around Luzon in three days, including a stretch up north to Pagudpud and all the way back to Manila. Their recorded fuel efficiency is a solid 25.27 km per liter.

The car runs on a 12.96 kWh Blade Battery, which allows up to 71 kilometers of pure electric driving on paper (NEDC cycle). You can plug it into a regular wall outlet and fully charge it in about 4.5 hours. And in case you’re camping or need power outdoors, it has a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature that lets you plug in appliances straight from the car.

From the outside, the Sealion 5 looks clean and modern. Full LED lights, 18-inch alloys, and roof rails give it some visual presence, while heated mirrors and puddle lamps add useful touches. It’s also quite roomy, at 4,738 mm long and over 1.8 meters wide, it sits nicely in the subcompact SUV category but doesn’t feel small.

Step inside, and you get soft leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a rotating 10.1-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a built-in app store, allowing you to download things like Stingray Karaoke, streaming apps, or navigation tools. You even get a smart NFC card for keyless entry, plus BYD’s smartphone app to monitor and control certain functions remotely.

Safety isn’t just an afterthought. The Sealion 5 comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, stability and traction control, hill assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. ISOFIX anchors are there for child seats, and radar sensors back up the rear camera to make parking easier.

The Sealion 5 DM-i starts at P1,248,000, with a special promo cash price of P1,198,000 for early buyers. A low down payment option of P88,000 is also available. BYD says you’ll spend up to 40 percent less on fuel and maintenance compared to gas-only cars, especially since the Sealion 5 only requires preventive maintenance once a year.

It’s backed by generous warranties, too, eight years or 160,000 km for the Blade Battery, and similar terms for the electric motor and control systems.

You can get it in four colors, Arctic White, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black, and Deep Sea Blue, with a beige and brown two-tone interior that keeps things classy without going over the top.