[TEST DRIVE] BYD Sealion 6 DM-i excels in quietness, range

BYD Korea’s Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV delivered a quiet, comfortable ride on a roughly 100-kilometer round trip between Seoul and Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Its appeal centers on cruising comfort, fuel efficiency and the flexibility to use electric power for shorter trips and the hybrid system for longer journeys. BYD Korea claims a combined driving range approaching 1,000 kilometers, and the SUV starts at 37.5 million won. The test drive found its acceleration and handling less performance-focused, while its price and standard driver-assistance features broaden its appeal.

The 18.3-kilowatt-hour battery provides up to 70 kilometers of all-electric driving.

When the battery charge falls below 25 percent, the gasoline engine can generate electricity to sustain operation.

The powertrain combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 130 horsepower and 220 newton-meters of torque with an electric motor.

The SUV accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.3 seconds.

Standard equipment includes seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure prevention and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Published Nov 3, 2026 10:18 am KST

Plug-in hybrid SUV combines comfort and efficiency with aggressive pricing

BYD Korea's Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

Starting BYD Korea's Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV, the first thing that stood out was the exceptional quietness of its cabin.

Driving through city streets and along highways, the SUV felt more like a mid-size luxury sedan than a family-oriented SUV. In the name Sealion 6 DM-i, DM-i stands for “Dual Mode-intelligent,” BYD’s proprietary plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology, which powers the vehicle's long-range drive.

Its cabin remained remarkably quiet at low speeds, when the electric motor does most of the work. Minor vibrations were barely noticeable, while the suspension softened the impact of speed bumps and uneven pavement. The result was a relaxed, composed ride that made long-distance driving less tiring.

On a roughly 100-kilometer round trip between Seoul and Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the SUV proved remarkably easy on the driver, with minimal fatigue and impressive fuel efficiency that exceeded expectations.

The Sealion 6 DM-i is not built to deliver the explosive acceleration or sharp handling of a performance electric vehicle (EV). Its appeal lies elsewhere: comfortable cruising, low running costs and the freedom to travel long distances without constantly searching for a charging station.

BYD Korea claims a combined driving range approaching 1,000 kilometers, making efficiency one of the SUV's strongest selling points.

Its 18.3-kilowatt-hour battery provides up to 70 kilometers of all-electric driving, enough to cover many daily commutes without using gasoline. When the battery charge falls below 25 percent, the gasoline engine can generate electricity to sustain operation.

That flexibility addresses one of the biggest inconveniences of owning a pure EV. Drivers can charge at home and use electric power for shorter trips, while relying on the hybrid system for longer journeys.

Sealion 6 DM-i's trip computer display / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

The powertrain pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, producing 130 horsepower and 220 newton-meters of torque, with an electric motor. The SUV accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.3 seconds — a figure seen as fairly unremarkable — but this is still enough for customers who prioritize smooth, predictable progress over outright speed.

Pricing, however, may prove its most disruptive feature. Starting at 37.5 million won ($27,000), the Sealion 6 DM-i undercuts many plug-in hybrid rivals, which typically occupy price brackets above 60 million won. BYD's vertically integrated manufacturing, spanning batteries to finished vehicles, helps explain its ability to offer the SUV at such an aggressive price.

The front seat of Sealion 6 DM-i SUV / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

Seven airbags and driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure prevention and rear cross-traffic alerts, come standard.

For buyers seeking the refinement of a quiet sedan, the flexibility of a hybrid and the range for extended road trips, the Sealion 6 DM-i makes a compelling case — particularly at a price that puts plug-in hybrid ownership within reach of a much wider market.

比亚迪韩国的Sealion 6 DM-i插电式混合动力SUV在首尔至京畿道坡州约100公里的往返行程中，提供了安静舒适的驾乘体验。这款车的吸引力在于其巡航舒适性、燃油经济性以及灵活的动力系统，短途使用纯电动模式，长途则使用混合动力系统。比亚迪韩国声称其综合续航里程接近1000公里，起售价为3750万韩元。试驾发现，这款车的加速和操控性能并非以极致性能为导向，但其价格和标配的驾驶辅助功能使其更具吸引力。

18.3千瓦时的电池可提供高达70公里的纯电动行驶里程。

当电池电量低于 25% 时，汽油发动机可以发电以维持运行。

该动力系统结合了一台 1.5 升涡轮增压汽油发动机（额定功率 130 马力，扭矩 220 牛米）和一台电动机。

这款SUV从零加速到100公里/小时需要8.3秒。

标准配置包括七个安全气囊、自适应巡航控制、车道偏离预防和后方交叉路口警示。

发布于2026年11月3日上午10:18（韩国标准时间）

这款插电式混合动力SUV兼具舒适性和燃油效率，且价格极具竞争力。

比亚迪韩国Sealion 6 DM-i插电式混合动力SUV / 韩国时报 李敏亨摄

从比亚迪韩国的Sealion 6 DM-i插电式混合动力SUV开始，首先给我留下深刻印象的是其车厢内出色的静谧性。

行驶在城市街道和高速公路上，这款SUV给人的感觉更像是一辆中型豪华轿车，而不是一辆家用SUV。在Sealion 6 DM-i的命名中，DM-i代表“双模智能”，这是比亚迪自主研发的插电式混合动力汽车（PHEV）技术，为车辆提供长续航里程。

低速行驶时，由于大部分动力都由电动机驱动，车厢内异常安静。轻微的震动几乎难以察觉，悬架系统也有效吸收了减速带和不平整路面带来的冲击。最终呈现出轻松舒适的驾乘体验，让长途驾驶不再疲惫。

在首尔和京畿道坡州之间大约 100 公里的往返行程中，这款 SUV 对驾驶员来说非常轻松，几乎没有疲劳感，而且燃油效率令人印象深刻，超出了预期。

Sealion 6 DM-i 的设计初衷并非为了提供高性能电动汽车 (EV) 那样迅猛的加速或精准的操控。它的魅力在于其他方面：舒适的巡航体验、低廉的运行成本以及无需频繁寻找充电站即可长途旅行的自由。

比亚迪韩国声称该车的综合续航里程接近 1000 公里，使燃油效率成为这款 SUV 最强劲的卖点之一。

其18.3千瓦时的电池可提供长达70公里的纯电动续航里程，足以满足许多日常通勤需求，无需使用汽油。当电池电量低于25%时，汽油发动机可以发电以维持车辆运行。

这种灵活性解决了拥有纯电动汽车最大的不便之一。车主可以在家充电，短途出行使用电力驱动，长途出行则依靠混合动力系统。

Sealion 6 DM-i 的行车电脑显示屏 / 韩国时报 李敏亨摄

这款SUV的动力系统由一台1.5升涡轮增压汽油发动机和一台电动机组成，汽油发动机可输出130马力（130千瓦）和220牛·米扭矩。该SUV的百公里加速时间为8.3秒——这个数据并不算突出——但对于那些更注重平顺性和可预测性的驾驶体验而非极致速度的消费者来说，已经足够了。

然而，定价或许才是它最具颠覆性的特点。Sealion 6 DM-i 的起售价为 3750 万韩元（约合 2.7 万美元），低于许多插电式混合动力竞争对手，后者的售价通常都在 6000 万韩元以上。比亚迪从电池到整车的垂直整合生产模式，是其能够以如此极具竞争力的价格提供这款 SUV 的原因之一。

Sealion 6 DM-i SUV 前排座椅 / 韩国时报 李敏亨摄

七个安全气囊和驾驶辅助功能（包括自适应巡航控制、车道偏离预防和后方交叉路口警示）均为标准配置。

对于那些既追求轿车的静谧舒适，又渴望混合动力车的灵活性和长途旅行的续航里程的买家来说，Sealion 6 DM-i 无疑是一个极具吸引力的选择——尤其是其价格让更多人能够负担得起插电式混合动力车。