Home Run: 2025 BYD Seal 5 DM-i starts at PHP 948,000

BYD Seal 5 DM-i is here to disrupt the hybrid four-door sedan market

After announcing its launch last week, BYD Cars Philippines has officially revealed its latest electrified offering. Say hello to the 2025 BYD Seal 5 DM-i, a four-door sedan that can travel up to 115 km on pure EV power as well as cover over 1,100 km with the range extender.

Combining sleek looks, a feature-packed cabin, and BYD's DM-i powertrain, the Seal 5 is set to undercut compact hybrid sedans like the Toyota Corolla Altis HEV and the Honda Civic e:HEV. Moreover, it's suggested retail price starts below PHP 950,000.

Starting with the DM-i powertrain, the Seal 5 is powered by a lithium-iron phosphate BYD Blade Battery that's available in two capacities. The entry-level Dynamic is rated at 8.3 kWh while the top-of-the-line Premium gets an 18.3 kWh battery pack. Power is then sent to an electric motor which makes 179 PS with 316 Nm of torque in the Dynamic while the Premium makes more power at 197 PS with 325 Nm of pull. Available drive modes include; Economy, Normal, and Sport.

On a full charge, the Seal 5 Dynamic can travel up to 50 km on pure EV power while the Premium can reach up to 115 km. Thanks to a 1.5L four-cylinder engine (106 PS and 135 Nm) that acts as a range extender (AKA generator) for the battery, the Seal 5 is capable of covering up to 1,240 km in the Premium variant (up to 1,175 km in the Dynamic). For extra range while on the go, the Seal 5 benefits from regenerative braking.

Both the Dynamic and Premium come with a Type 2 (CCS2) onboard AC charging cable, with the former rated at 2.9 kW while the latter charges at a rate of 6 kW. A full recharge for both batteries will take between 3 to 3.5 hours. Available only for the Premium version is a 7kW wall-mounted charger and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

Size-wise, the Seal 5 measures 4780mm long, 1837mm wide, 1495mm tall, and has a 2718mm wheelbase. It also has a minimum turning radius of 5.5 meters which allows for better maneuverability and 160mm of ground clearance. The trunk space for the Seal 5 is 450 liters.

All variants of the Seal 5 come with auto LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights with a full-width light bar, and disc brakes on all corners. The Dynamic comes with 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/60 tires while the Premium gets 17-inch diamond-cut alloys with 215/55 tires. The Premium version also comes with a power sunroof that allows more light into the cabin.

Step inside and the Seal 5 welcomes occupants into a high-tech and stylish cabin. Sitting front and center on the dashboard is the brand's signature 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Like most BYD vehicles, the touchscreen can be rotated to portrait or landscape orientations. Moreover, it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easier pairing of mobile devices.

All models of the BYD Seal 5 get leather seats, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, intelligent voice control, 4G connectivity, over-the-air updates, BYD Cloud Service, rear USB charging ports, and rear aircon vents. Available only in the Premium version is a power-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone climate control (single-zone in the Dynamic), an 8-speaker sound system (6 speakers for the Dynamic), and a wireless charging pad.

For extra peace of mind, the Seal 5 Premium is also equipped with a 360-degree camera system, and a front & rear radar system. Meanwhile, the Seal 5 Dynamic gets a reverse camera and parking sensors. Both models come with cruise control as standard.

The BYD Seal 5 is covered by a 6-year/150,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty. In addition, the battery comes with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty coverage while the motor is covered by an 8-year/150,000 km warranty.

Pricing of the BYD Seal 5 is as follows:

Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic – PHP 948,000

Seal 5 DM-i Premium – PHP 1,198,000