BYD Sealion 6 DM-i targets Korea with EV-like drive, pricing edge

BYD is stepping up its push into South Korea with the launch of the Sealion 6 DM-i midsize plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV, directly challenging dominant players like Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia.

Targeting the country’s surging demand for hybrid vehicles, the Chinese automaker seeks a competitive edge over local rivals by offering electric vehicle-like refinement and high fuel efficiency at a more affordable price.

While consumer reluctance to manage both gas fill-ups and electric charging has kept Korea’s PHEV market small, BYD’s Sealion 6 DM-i aims to tell a different story.

Reflecting BYD’s status as the first automaker to mass-produce PHEVs in 2008, the vehicle is equipped with its advanced DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligence) technology — an electric-first system that delivers a driving experience remarkably close to a pure EV.

In a recent media test drive, The Korea Herald got a firsthand look at the Sealion 6 DM-i on a 153-kilometer round-trip course across Gyeonggi Province.

The DM-i system automatically selects from four driving modes — EV, Series Hybrid, Engine Direct Drive and Parallel Hybrid — based on speed, battery charging status and road conditions.

At highway speeds above 70 kph, the vehicle automatically switches to Engine Direct Drive mode. Despite the potential for added noise and vibration, the cabin remains remarkably quiet — delivering a smooth ride that felt virtually identical to driving in EV mode.

Initial launch power is immediate, with seamless acceleration up to speed. Equally impressive is the braking behavior. During sudden stops, the SUV pulls up smoothly without pitching passengers forward.

Given its high center of gravity and soft dampers, the vehicle experiences noticeable body roll around sharp corners and vertical pitching over uneven surfaces. However, the comfort-oriented suspension absorbs harsh road bumps.

The Sealion 6 DM-i truly stands out in efficiency. Its 18.3 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery provides a certified pure-EV range of 70 kilometers, ideal for zero-emission daily commuting with full hybrid range reserved for road trips.

Its official fuel economy is rated at a combined 15.2 kilometers per liter and 4.2 kilometers per kilowatt-hour. The vehicle further elevates practical usability by supporting 18-kilowatt DC fast charging, which boosts the battery level from 30 percent to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

Real-world consumption figures are equally impressive. Over a 75-kilometer return drive with The Korea Herald, battery capacity dipped from 51 percent to 24 percent, while total remaining range dropped by a mere 15 kilometers — from 663 kilometers to 648 kilometers.

According to BYD Korea, the Sealion 6 DM-i can achieve a total driving range of over 1,000 kilometers on a 100 percent battery capacity and a full tank of gas.

Measuring 4,775 millimeters in length, 1,890 millimeters in width and 1,670 millimeters in height, the plug-in hybrid SUV positions between Hyundai’s Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs in size. Inspired by BYD’s “Ocean Aesthetics” design language, the vehicle’s front takes futuristic EV cues with a borderless grille and sharp LED headlights, while the rear adopts the traditional, grounded profile of a family SUV.

Unlike the stereotype of budget-friendly Chinese vehicles, the interior pays significant attention to material quality and fit-and-finish. Soft-touch materials with colorful stitching cover the dashboard and door trims, eliminating exposed hard plastics.

BYD also packed in-car features tailored specifically to Korean buyers. These include power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, heated and reclining rear seats and a standard panoramic glass roof — while leaving out polarizing functions such as a head-up display.

A 15.6-inch touchscreen sits at the center of the dashboard, equipped with localized Kakao Map navigation. Key functions can also be managed via voice control, responding to “Hi, BYD” for commands such as adjusting the sunshade.

Priced at 37.5 million won ($27,250), the Sealion 6 DM-i holds a price advantage over smaller rivals such as Hyundai’s Tucson Hybrid, which ranges from 33.18 million to 40.82 million won before tax benefits.