BYD vies for mass supremacy with new Seal 5 DM-i hybrid sedan, starts at P948K

Sedans still reign supreme in the Philippines as of 2023.

-  VINCENT VILLA

It was more obvious last year as the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 suddenly jumped to number 3 in the bestseller list when it wasn't even in the top 10 in 2022, while the Toyota Vios still held the top position. Sure, there are already more affordable crossovers in the country but sedans aren't fizzling out of the market just yet. This is probably why BYD Cars Philippines decided to join the fray.

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i continues the brand's recent trend of being a market disruptor. It's priced like a top-of-the-line Vios, but is even longer than an Altis, and is a range-extender hybrid giving you twice the mileage for a full tank of gas. There are only two variants to choose from (Dynamic and Premium) and the difference is minimal that you'll spend more time thinking about what color you'll take.

Sleek but classy, the overall look of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i definitely has an executive appeal. The front face has a lot of silver linings to simulate ripples in the water, complementing all the natural lines in front. You're getting 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the variant but both look equally great. There's also a 360-camera system and a sunroof for the Premium trim.

There's a slim touch of chrome on the windows while the rear goes all out with modernity. It has a light bar running across the trunk and has a slim LED pattern on the full width of the taillight. There are faux vents on both sides of the rear bumper and another slim strip of chrome just to accentuate the faux diffuser bumper design.