2026 BYD Seal 5 DM-i first drive
Although crossovers have surged in popularity over the last two decades, the traditional sedan remains a highly lucrative segment for carmakers with the right product.
The likes of the Toyota Vios and Mitsubishi Mirage G4, as old as these are, continue to hold dominant positions in our country’s annual sales charts. These four-doors are highly prized by first-time car owners, families looking for a practical second vehicle and (perhaps most importantly) fleet buyers for ride-sharing services and large corporations.
And as everybody scrambles to find ways to save money on fuel, BYD Cars Philippines thinks it’s bringing in the right car atthe right time. The Chinese automaker launched the all-new 2026 BYD Seal 5 DM-i on July 28, 2026 at the TriNoma Mall in Quezon City – it will be on display there at the BYD Tech Tour until Aug. 2, 2026.
It is available in two models, namely the entry-level Essential and the Dynamic. We got a chance to try out the top-spec Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic to see if it has the goods to become the country’s favorite four-door.
Sleeker nose
Although the body of BYD’s well-known sedan remains largely identical, substantial changes have been made to the car’s appearance.
The front end ditches the previous model’s gaping grill for a smoother look, putting it in line with the Sealion 6 DM-i and Sealion 7 crossovers. Nonetheless, the aggressive lower bumper incorporates faux side ducts to balance out the wide LED headlights.
Down the side, new 16-inch alloy wheels (two-tone in the Dynamic variant) complement the chrome window trim. And out back, restyled LED taillights dominate the trunk lid – the faux vents underneath add a touch of sportiness on what would otherwise be dull, flat panels.
Besides our test unit’s Arctic White paintjob, the new Seal 5 DM-i is available in Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black and HarbourGrey.
Spacious interior
Inside, the 2026 Seal 5 DM-i continues to combine generous space for five passengers with premium elements like soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door cards, along with rear air-conditioning vents.
While the fleet-oriented Essential gets fabric upholstery and a urethane steering wheel, our Dynamic test car comes with black leather upholstery and a leather steering wheel. However, I do miss the two-tone leather of the previous model, which certainly made the car feel airier and more expensive.
The latest Seal 5 DM-i comes with a 10.1-touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although it is crisp, responsive and offers a clear view of the reversing camera, it continues to have far too many submenus to access the car’s various functions without considerable distraction.
Happily, the trunk is as voluminous as ever – you get 522 liters with the split-folding rear seats up and 1,295 liters with the seats down.
Improved refinement
On the go, the latest Seal 5 DM-i feels more grown up than its predecessor.
This is largely because of the tweaked suspension and improved soundproofing that results in a more refined driving experience and less wallowy ride. Our initial tests also showed that this electrified sedan had light yet numb steering, along with powerful brakes that are operated by a rather spongy brake pedal.
But the biggest news is under the hood – the fifth-generation Super DM-i powertrain combines a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine, a front-mounted electric motor and a 7.42-kWh BYD Blade battery for a total output of 161 horsepower and 210 Newton-meters of torque.
This is considerably less than the amusingly hearty 177 horsepower and 316 Newton-meters of torque of the previous Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic, such that the latest model feels substantially slower at full throttle. The flipside is that BYD Cars Philippines claims a combined range of over 1,600 kilometers on one full tank and one full charge, including up to 55 kilometers of battery power.
A full road test would allow us to fully explore the Seal 5 DM-i’s energy efficiency and driving performance across various road conditions. Safety-wise, all models get front and side airbags (plus curtain airbags for the Dynamic), stability control and cruise control, but I would have liked BYD’s sophisticated active-safety suite in both models.
A future hit?
Overall, the 2026 BYD Seal 5 DM-i is a spacious, refined and energy-efficient sedan that is set to woo private and fleet buyers alike.
And though keen drivers like me will miss the previous model’s exhilarating acceleration, the vast majority of owners will greatly appreciate the claimed 60-perfect improvement incombined driving range. Initial prices start at P940,000 for the Essential and P1,050,000 for the Dynamic.
This means BYD Cars Philippines’ newest four-door undercuts stalwarts like the Honda City and Toyota ATIV, all while offering a faster, more spacious and significantly more fuel-efficient alternative to the aging Toyota Vios and Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Private buyers will likely be drawn to the more sumptuous cabin of the Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic.
Could this be the next best-selling sedan in the Philippines?
