Every time we see a BYD Sealion 6 DM-i on the road, my wife says the same thing.
“There’s my crush car again.”
And honestly… I get it.
And agree with her wholly.
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i in Stone Grey looks really, really good.
We keep spotting them everywhere around Davao now and each time, she lights up a little. It’s become a running joke between us.
We’ll be driving somewhere and suddenly she’ll point.
“There it is again.”
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i in Stone Grey is the car wife has claimed as hers in her heart, because after seeing it this many times, she probably feels like it’s a manifestation thing.
How It Looks
The Sealion 6 DM-i is a proper looking crossover.
It’s not trying too hard the way some Chinese cars used to.
No excessive chrome, no over-styled body kit trying to look like three different cars at once.
The lines are clean and confident.
The front end has a closed-off grille which signals immediately that this is an electrified vehicle, flanked by sharp LED headlights that sweep into the hood nicely.
The Stone Grey is a cool, sophisticated grey with a slightly premium finish that photographs beautifully in any light.
Not too dark, not silvery.
And although this color would seem boring to some, we kinda think it makes it more dignified.
That and the otential for it to look good even if it’s covered in a layer of dust because we’re not too fond of going to the carwash every week.
I checked the Harbour Grey and Arctic White and they also look good, but it’s the Stone Grey that keeps us turning our heads whenever we see one on the road.
At 4,775mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,670mm tall on a 2,765mm wheelbase… this is a genuinely sizeable crossover.
It has presence.
You probably won’t feel like you’re driving something small when you’re inside it, and from the outside, it commands attention without screaming for it.
Powertrain
The Sealion 6 DM-i runs on BYD’s Super DM-i system, which is their plug-in hybrid technology designed around an electric-first driving philosophy.
The difference between this and a regular hybrid is significant.
In a regular hybrid, the gas engine is the primary mover and the electric motor assists it. In the DM-i system… it’s the opposite. The 197ps permanent magnet synchronous motor does the driving.
The 1.5-liter engine acts primarily as a generator, keeping the 18.3kWh Blade Battery charged.
The gas engine only directly drives the wheels when maximum output is demanded.
What this means in practice is that everyday driving feels like driving a proper electric vehicle.
Silent startup.
Instant, linear response when you press the accelerator.
No gear hunting, no hesitation, no engine noise during normal city speeds.
For Davao traffic… the school run, the grocery run, the evening errands… this thing just glides.
Combined system output is 217ps and 325Nm of torque, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds. That’s quick enough to merge confidently on any highway without drama.
The EV range is 105 km on a full charge, which covers most Davao daily driving without touching the fuel at all.
And when you do use fuel, the combined driving range stretches to an incredible 1,100 km. One tank and one charge.
In theory, you could drive from Davao to Manila overland and still have some range left over. …theoretically.
Inside the Cabin
The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen that dominates the center console. You can orient it vertically or horizontally depending on what you’re doing.
It controls most of the car’s functions including climate, audio, and navigation.
The criticism some reviewers have is that adjusting climate settings requires a few taps on the screen rather than a physical dial, which takes some getting used to.
Fair point.
But once you learn the gesture shortcuts, it should become second nature.
Seats are ventilated power leather which in Davao’s heat is genuinely important. Ventilated seats are the kind of thing you think is a luxury until you sit in one on a hot afternoon and realize you never want to go back to plain, old, unventilated seats.
The audio system is a 10-speaker Infinity setup that reviewers describe as genuinely impressive for a car at this price point.
Dual wireless charging pads sit in the center console for both front passengers. The wired USB-A port apparently charges slowly, which is a known complaint among owners, but with two wireless pads working well… most people just use those instead.
Luggage space is 552 liters which is generous for a crossover this size.
More than enough for a family grocery run, weekend stuff for the beach, or the occasional airport pickup with everyone’s luggage.
Ride Quality
The suspension setup is MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, which is a proper setup for a vehicle in this class.
Reviews consistently describe the ride as smooth and compliant, absorbing road imperfections well without being jarring. For the roads around Davao… some of which are perfectly smooth and some of which are absolutely not… that ride quality is a real selling point.
The honest critiques are that the suspension is tuned for comfort over sportiness.
There’s noticeable body roll in sharp corners and the steering doesn’t give much feedback.
But this is a family crossover, not a sports car.
If you want planted cornering dynamics, buy a sports car.
If you want your family to arrive somewhere comfortably without everyone complaining about the ride… the Sealion 6 delivers.
The factory tires (Giti Giticomfort 235/50 R19) aren’t the best for wet conditions traction on steep or slippery surfaces.
A tire upgrade is commonly recommended by owners who live in hillier areas or deal with heavy rain regularly.
Something to budget for down the road.
Call Ivori Tires Trading for better, more affordable tires.
Tell them we sent you.
Is It Worth ₱1,598,000?
For what you get… I genuinely think yes.
A 217ps plug-in hybrid with 105km of pure EV range, ventilated leather seats, a rotating 15.6-inch screen, a 10-speaker audio system, dual wireless charging, 552L of cargo space, and ADAS safety features… at under ₱1.6 million… is a compelling package. You’d pay significantly more for equivalent features in a Japanese or Korean equivalent.
My wife has good taste.
She always has.
Someday we’ll have one in our garage…
Someday….
Tech Specs
| Spec | Detail |
| Price | ₱1,598,000 |
| Colors | Stone Grey, Harbour Grey, Arctic White (all Premium) |
| Seating | 5 passengers |
| Length / Width / Height | 4,775mm / 1,890mm / 1,670mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765mm |
| Ground clearance | 173mm |
| Luggage capacity | 552L |
| Curb weight | 1,830kg |
| Turning radius | 5.5m |
| Technology | Super DM-i |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Front motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Front motor power | 197ps |
| Front motor torque | 325Nm |
| Engine | 1.5L High-Efficiency Generator |
| Engine power | 106ps |
| Engine torque | 135Nm |
| System power (combined) | 217ps |
| System torque (combined) | 325Nm |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 8.3 seconds |
| EV range | 105km (NEDC) |
| Combined range | 1,100km |
| Battery | BYD Blade Battery, 18.3kWh |
| Front suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear suspension | Multi-Link |
| Front brakes | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear brakes | Ventilated Disc |
| Tires | 235/50 R19 |
