*This content was translated by AI.
Verdict
Not fun to drive, but the only Chinese PHEV that protects your wallet with its price and fuel efficiency
Good
- A PHEV that adds the 'flavor' of an engine to an electric car; you rarely need to visit a gas station this month
- Smooth operation of semi-autonomous driving features, unprecedented in this price range
Bad
- Handling feel that suddenly loses all charm, feeling 'clumsy'
- From Atto 3 to Seal and Dolphin... most of BYD's previous cars disappeared from the stage too soon
Competitor
- Kia Niro EV: A solid electric car that showcases the true value of a customized SUV with no sense of alienation
- Renault Korea Grand Koleos HEV: Just one extra screen in the passenger seat... is that it??
Until now, PHEVs have not been particularly popular in Korea. This is because Hyundai Motor Group has primarily focused its PHEV sales on overseas markets. In Korea, PHEVs were only occasionally introduced as new models by imported car brands like Volvo or BMW. If popular models like the Kia Niro or Sportage had also launched PHEV versions domestically, they would have become more mainstream. The reason they failed to take root in Korea is clear: PHEVs struggle with price competitiveness, suffer from charging inconveniences, and the government stopped providing subsidies starting in 2021.
BYD's decision to launch the Sealion 6 DM-i was a 'divine move' that correctly identified this market gap. Of course, it's something you'd say after selling well. It truly feels like an unopposed entry into a mountain without tigers. Two conditions must be met: 'affordable price' and 'fuel efficiency,' and BYD is a world-class brand in both areas. This is why intense interest has focused on the Sealion 6 DM-i. The car's debut stage was the 2026 Busan Mobility Show. Revealing it at a marginal motor show that has shrunk to nothing... indeed, this was a kind of radical choice.
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i possesses overwhelming product appeal that immediately captures attention. First, the launch price of 37.5 million won is staggering. It's an SUV, and moreover, a number you simply cannot see for a compact PHEV.
The design is also splendid. The coupe-style SUV, stripped of overt Chinese styling, features interesting front-to-rear harmony and excellent proportions. The character line and DLO line also appear to be innovative choices that effectively express the vehicle's character. The bumper and headlamps are drawn sharply from left to right, making a good choice for establishing itself as a sharp urban SUV. The glass roof, which opens and closes like a single large window, offers an exceptional sense of openness rarely seen even in high-end SUVs.
The rear lamps extend widely from left to right, offering both good visibility and aesthetic appeal. Although the rear window is narrow, limiting the view through the interior mirror, it's not to a problematic degree. The power liftgate that opens and closes electrically also earns high marks as an urban SUV feature.
The highlight of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is its interior. It is far more spacious than expected. A wheelbase of 2,765mm is a representative figure for compact cars, proving at least that it won't fail. The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i has created practical space for knee room, headroom, and shoulder room by reflecting compact seats. Legroom is also generous, and the beltline is positioned below the shoulders to ensure an unobstructed view. BYD's signature wide center display is packed with infotainment functions and various driver assistance systems. Just this alone makes it worth sending a 'thumbs up' to this car.
Unlike the previous Atto 3, the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i has no awkward 'guitar string' elements, and the door catches feature designs that are easy to accept. There are also no pitiful cost-cutting parts like those found in the Dolphin. In short, it feels as though every element that could cause embarrassment during exit has been completely eliminated.
The combination of a 1.5L gasoline engine and an 18.3kWh battery may seem somewhat awkward, but actual test drives confirmed they are perfect soulmates. As befits a PHEV, the car can travel up to 70km in pure electric mode on a full charge, and during actual testing, it exceeded that distance. Especially when the battery level drops to around 20%, the engine and electric motor alternate to become HYBE-led vehicles, yet the quietness typical of electric cars is largely maintained at this moment. The combined fuel economy is about 15km/L, so BYD's claim that one charge can cover approximately 1,000km is absolutely not an exaggeration. During a test drive covering roughly 500km, more than half the fuel remained.
Especially in urban areas, this car's efficiency and fuel economy truly shine. There is almost no sense of incongruity when the engine engages after EV mode. It was a moment to admire BYD's capabilities, having achieved rapid growth in HYBE-led manufacturing within a short period. Although weighing 1,960kg—a considerable weight for a compact SUV—the car feels quite good when accelerating from a standstill. The industry describes this as "having shed the weight well," and the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i deserves a passing grade.
However, the handling feel falls short of providing genuine excitement. It is far removed from the intuitive steering of small cars from 20 years ago. Nowadays, even large SUVs emphasize crisp steering wheel feedback that feels like it grips the road, yet the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i does not yet feel to be at a modern level of handling. But this is not enough to undervalue the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i. In fact, many people find sensitive handling feedback tiring. Since it aims to be an urban SUV, it cannot be considered one of its few shortcomings.
For those with little interest in driving fun, there is another feature they will particularly favor: semi-autonomous driving. Activating this function by pressing a few buttons inside the steering wheel allows it to accurately detect the road center, maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, and adhere to the set speed. Especially the connectivity with smartphones via Android Auto is fast and smooth, with an abundance of available applications. Thanks to cameras and sensors placed all around, parking is also convenient.
Throughout the test drive, I kept recalling other BYD Korea models I had driven before the Sealion 6 DM-i: the Atto 3 and the Dolphin. When I drove those two cars, I spoke of 'cost-performance' and said they were 'better than expected.' That remains true today. The fact that Chinese cars offer good value for money has become a standard comment whenever test-driving them.
Generally, the public tends to give BYD vehicles generous scores for infotainment features and ride comfort but does not perceive them as cars with outstanding driving dynamics or exceptional emotional appeal. Uniquely, 'cost-performance' has become a defining adjective for this brand. In the past year alone, new model launches from Atto 3 to Dolphin, Sealion 7, and Seal have resembled a 'speed race.' Was there ever an imported car brand that released new models so quickly? The problem is that when new cars are rushed out while consumers become obsessed solely with price and features, they tend to view automobiles as mere consumer goods. Rather than feeling a desire to own the Sealion 6 DM-i, people focus only on its functional utility. Unfortunately, while driving this car, it was difficult to expect interest or emotion beyond mere functionality.
Through this test drive of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, I am convinced that Chinese-made cars will sell even more in the future. However, automobiles are fundamentally different as durable industrial products that combine practical mobility performance with driving enjoyment. They resemble short-lived electronic devices.
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*This content was translated by AI.
