O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN!
Quite often, our culture determines the kind of technology that we create and innovate.
Pottery is one of the oldest human inventions, dating back as early as 29,000 B.C. But as people wanted and needed more pottery products, the fast-moving potter’s wheel was invented around 5,000 years later, thus leading to the rapid industrialization of the craft.
Indeed, our culture’s collective adoration of the extended family has transformed the way we configure our spaces. A Filipino home can range from having multiple beds in a few rooms or, if you are truly well-off, a multitude of houses within one compound.
Such a perspective extends to our cars, which serve as extensions of our homes. Instead of owning multiple small vehicles like in Western societies, we have the likes of the Asian Utility Vehicle and its various successors, namely the van, sport-utility vehicle and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) so that everyone stays together in every journey.
The aforementioned cars have traditionally been lumbering turbodiesels that are increasingly becoming wheeled anachronisms as the Philippines enters the age of electrified mobility. And yet, the 2025 BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain combines all the appealing attributes of a large MPV with the latest in electric-vehicle (EV) technology.
Space-age style
When the eMAX 7 first pulled up to my house, I thought NASA delivered a spaceship.
The Crystal White paint on our test unit emphasized this BYD’s generous proportions, as well as its multitude of sleek curves – in particular, the low hoodline flows gracefully into the huge, steeply raked windshield, while the large LED headlights provided a friendly face. Some aggression is present, courtesy of the faux lower-bumper vents with chrome accents.
Indeed, the tasteful use of chrome is apparent on the lower part of the doors and the window surrounds. The prominent beltline and door indentations prevent the eMAX 7 from looking too much like a van (an issue with one of its rivals, the Toyota Zenix), although I found the rear-quarter window décor with “SPACE” written on it rather tacky.
Out back, the full-width LED taillights also feature a prominent chrome accent. In addition, the very pert rear bumper and the large tailgate spoiler help give this MPV some semblance of sportiness.
Premium cabin for 6
The rather odd name of the eMAX 7 Superior Captain denotes two things – it’s the top-of-the-line model and it comes with second-row captain seats.
The interior offers excellent space for six people and is lined in attractive brown leather upholstery, with soft-touch materials on everything except the tops of the door cards. BYD has also made a strong effort to make this MPV feel upmarket with imitation open-pore wood veneer, easy-to-read analog gauges and electrically adjustable, air-conditioned front seats.
As ever, BYD’s famous rotating touchscreen infotainment system (measuring 12.8 inches here) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is clear and responsive, serving as an excellent display for the 360-degree camera system. But it really needs a simpler interface, as well as separate controls for the powerful dual-zone climate-control system with rear fans.
The eMAX 7’s second-row captain seats not only slide and recline, but also have adjustable individual armrests for when you want to be the ultimate passenger princess. Meanwhile, the large corridor between the seats allows for easy access to the third row, which offers sufficient space for adults up to 5’6”.
Although I like the immense amount of natural light provided by the massive glass roof, the ability to open it would be a boon when driving in cooler climes. Also, I found that the driver’s seat lacks adequate lower-back and thigh support for long journeys.
Brisk performance
Open the eMAX 7’s hood and you find a front-mounted electric motor that is buried deep down – this is because in other markets, this MPV is available with a gasoline engine as part of BYD’s excellent DM-i powertrain.
Acceleration is brisk for such a heavy car, with 0 to 100 km/h done in under 9 seconds, thanks to the 201 horsepower and 310 Newton-meters of torque that are available as soon as you slam the throttle pedal. Thankfully, this big BYD comes with strong brakes (along with adjustable regenerative braking) that are operated by a slightly spongy pedal.
The eMAX 7 is also surprisingly agile despite its supple ride. Although the light and responsive steering may lack feel even in its heaviest setting, the advantage of having the 71.8-kWh battery pack under the floor is stable cornering with a pleasantly cooperative rear end (something that you shouldn’t test with everyone on board).
Also a huge plus for the eMAX 7 Superior Captain is the standard DiPilot advanced driver assistance system, which comes with features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and rear cross traffic braking. All these systems seem better tuned to the Philippines’ chaotic driving conditions compared to the other BYD models that we’ve tested.
Energy consumption is also quite good – we did 7.0 to 7.3 kWh per kilometer in the city and the expressway, which translates to 470 to 490 kilometers on a full charge. As with other BYD EVs, the eMAX 7 can use DC fast-charging stations and offers vehicle-to-load capability for various electrical appliances.
There is a future
At P1,748,000, the 2025 BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is very competitive against its fossil-fueled rivals.
These include the P2,080,000 Hyundai Custin Premium with its rather thirsty, turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine. But this big BYD’s closest rival is the P1,959,000 Toyota Zenix Q HEV, which packs a non-turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor for a combined output of 183 horsepower and 393 Newton-meters of torque.
Besides being over P200,000 cheaper, the BYD’s advantage over the Toyota is its substantially cheaper full EV maintenance costs. However, planning long drives requires more brain power in the Chinese upstart because you must account for stopping at EV charging stations – you could even make this a game for the entire family.
All in all, when we are all eventually forced to buy EVs, the 2025 BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain shows that the future isn’t bleak for cultures like ours that value keeping everyone together, wherever we go.
