For those eyeing the BYD Sealion 6 but wishing it had more than five seats, the new Tang DM-i might just be the answer. It is essentially a larger sibling, built on the same DM-i plug-in hybrid technology but with a third row of seats that allows it to accommodate up to seven passengers.
Like the Sealion 6, the Tang 5 DMi is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor but this combo puts out a combined 271 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque sent to the front wheels. That’s about 77hp more than the Sealion 6.
The Tang DM-i also carries a larger 21 kWh battery, compared to the Sealion 6’s 18.3 kWh pack. This translates to an EV-only range of around 110 km, which is roughly 10 km more than what the Sealion 6 officially offers.
Exterior
From the outside, the Tang DM-i looks like a stretched Sealion 5. To give you an idea of its size, it is slightly longer than a Mitsubishi Montero, but narrower and shorter in height. The DM-i rides on 19-inch wheels, an inch smaller in diameter than the 20s found on the fully electric version of the Tang.
Interior and Features
Inside, the Tang DM-i largely mirrors the experience of the Sealion 6. Build quality is solid, and amenities include power-adjustable leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a generous suite of ADAS safety tech.
The infotainment system is where things get puzzling. The Tang DM-i gets the same 15.6in screen size as the Sealion 6, but surprisingly, it is the only BYD in the local lineup without the brand’s signature rotating screen. For a vehicle that sits near the top of BYD’s price ladder, this feels like cost-cutting in the wrong place. Even the budget-friendly Seagull, which costs under ₱1 million, gets the rotating screen. While the feature is admittedly more gimmick than necessity, it has become a BYD hallmark and its absence here stands out.
Second-row space also leaves something to be desired. It is not as roomy as the Sealion 6, and when the seat is slid all the way back, the seatbelt sits awkwardly against my neck. It is a small ergonomic miss that could make long trips less comfortable.
Driving Experience
On the road, the Tang DM-i redeems itself. Power delivery is smooth and plentiful, handling is composed, and cabin noise is impressively low. It drives like a premium crossover should, with refinement that matches its price point.
We drove the Tang DM-i to Bataan and back, and the trip did not feel as long as it actually was thanks to its comfort and refinement.
It is quirky, and its value proposition is not quite on the same level as the Sealion 6, but overall it is fun, has more power than many of its competitors, and is a comfortable car to drive.–For our full impressions of the Tang DM-i, make sure to catch the video review soon on our Youtube Channel
The Tang DM-i sells for P2,098,000
