The BYD Song Plus DM-i is one of the most important cars BYD makes — a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV that has sold over 1.5 million units worldwide and tops BYD's export charts. You may know it by another name: abroad it's sold as the BYD Seal U DM-i in Europe and the Sealion 6 in markets like Australia. Built on BYD's efficient DM 5.0 hybrid system, it pairs a 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor for up to 160 km of electric range, a combined range of around 1,500 km, and remarkably low fuel use of about 3.9 L/100 km. Prices in China start from roughly ¥135,800 (~$19,100), making it one of the best-value family SUVs anywhere. Note that in China it's now being succeeded by the Sealion 06, but it continues to sell strongly worldwide.
Performance & Specs
The Song Plus DM-i uses BYD's latest DM 5.0 plug-in hybrid system, built for efficiency. A 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine making 74 kW (99 hp) — with a class-leading 46% thermal efficiency — works mainly as a generator and cruiser, while a front electric motor producing 147 kW (197 hp) and 260 Nm drives the front wheels. That's good for a 0–100 km/h of around 7.7–8.3 seconds depending on trim, and a 170 km/h top speed. It's not a performance car, but it's brisk enough and supremely efficient: in hybrid mode with the battery depleted it sips just 3.9 L/100 km. The combination of strong EV range and a petrol engine for backup is exactly why it has become such a global best-seller. (In Europe, a sportier AWD “Design” version of the Seal U adds a second motor for 324 hp.)
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid (DM 5.0, FWD) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L NA (74 kW / 99 hp) |
| E-motor | 147 kW (197 hp), 260 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | ~7.7–8.3 s |
| Battery | 12.9 / 18.3 / 26.6 kWh Blade LFP |
| EV range | 75–160 km (CLTC) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Plug-in hybrid (DM 5.0) |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5L four-cylinder (74 kW / 99 hp) |
| ELECTRIC MOTOR | 147 kW (197 hp), 260 Nm |
| ACCELERATION | 0–100 km/h ~7.7–8.3 s |
| DRIVETRAIN | Front-wheel drive |
| BATTERY | 12.9 / 18.3 / 26.6 kWh Blade LFP |
| EV / COMBINED RANGE | 75–160 km / up to 1,500 km |
| FUEL USE | 3.9 L/100 km (depleted) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,775 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765 mm |
| Seating | 5 |
At 4,775 mm long on a 2,765 mm wheelbase, the Song Plus DM-i is a roomy mid-size family SUV — bigger than the smaller Song Pro, and one of the reasons it sells so well. It seats five with generous space, and the boot holds a useful 574 litres, expanding to around 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded. The cabin is practical and comfortable rather than flashy, with soft-touch materials on the main surfaces and a clean, screen-led dashboard. As a do-it-all family hauler that can run on electricity for the daily commute and cover huge distances on petrol, it's hard to fault for the money.
| LENGTH | 4,775 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,890 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,670 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,765 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 574 L (1,600 L seats folded) |
| SEATING | 5 |
Charging & Battery
The Song Plus DM-i offers three BYD Blade LFP batteries: 12.9 kWh (75 km EV), 18.3 kWh (112 km) and 26.6 kWh (160 km). All use BYD's safe, durable lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry. Charging speeds rise with the battery: the entry 75 km car has 3.3 kW AC charging only, the 112 km trims add up to 26 kW DC (about 23–25 minutes for 30–80%), and the 160 km Flagship gets up to 54 kW DC for a 30–80% top-up in roughly 17 minutes, plus 7 kW AC. As a plug-in hybrid, most owners will run it as an EV around town and rarely visit the petrol station, with the engine reserved for longer trips.
| BATTERY | 12.9 / 18.3 / 26.6 kWh Blade LFP |
|---|---|
| EV RANGE | 75 / 112 / 160 km (CLTC) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | up to 54 kW (160 km trim) |
| AC CHARGING | 3.3–7 kW (by trim) |
Design & Interior
The Song Plus DM-i wears a clean, modern SUV design that has aged well, with slim LED headlights, a body-colour closed nose, a sculpted body and a full-width connected LED tail-light bar with an illuminated “BYD” wordmark. It's offered in mainstream colours like the white shown. Inside, the cabin is practical and well-equipped for the price, centred on BYD's rotating central touchscreen (12.8-inch, or 15.6-inch on the Flagship) and a 12.3-inch digital cluster. There's a crystal-style gear selector flanked by physical buttons for the EV/HEV drive modes, a clean two-tone dashboard, and an INFINITY sound system on upper trims. It's comfortable, spacious and easy to use — exactly what family buyers want.
Technology & Features
The dashboard centres on BYD's rotating touchscreen running the DiLink 100 cockpit, with connected navigation, voice control, an app store and over-the-air updates. Higher trims add a head-up display and BYD's DiPilot 100 “God's Eye” driver-assistance system, which uses 29 sensors for adaptive cruise, automatic lane changes, a 360-degree camera with transparent-chassis view and automatic emergency braking. There's no LiDAR at this level — that's reserved for pricier BYD models — but the feature set is generous for a sub-$25,000 family SUV.
Safety & ADAS
Every Song Plus DM-i comes with a surround-view camera, parking sensors and BYD's active-safety package, with the DiPilot 100 suite (adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, automatic lane change, AEB) available on higher trims. The Blade LFP battery brings BYD's well-regarded thermal stability to the safety story, and the global Seal U/Sealion 6 versions have performed well in Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (DiPilot 100, higher trims) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Adaptive cruise, auto lane change, AEB, 360° camera, 29 sensors |
Available Versions
| VERSION | EV RANGE | BATTERY | DC CHARGING | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 km Deluxe | 75 km | 12.9 kWh | AC only (3.3 kW) | ~$19,100 (¥135,800) | Entry trim |
| 112 km Premium | 112 km | 18.3 kWh | up to 26 kW | ~$20,150 (¥145,800) | Bigger battery |
| 160 km Flagship | 160 km | 26.6 kWh | up to 54 kW | ~$22,950 (¥165,800) | Long range, 15.6″ screen, HUD |
Pricing & Availability
In China, the Song Plus DM-i lineup runs from about ¥135,800 (~$19,100) for the 75 km Deluxe to roughly ¥175,800 (~$24,300) for the 160 km Flagship Plus. As of early 2026, BYD has begun phasing the Song Plus out of its Chinese lineup in favour of the newer Sealion 06, but the car remains a top global export — sold as the BYD Seal U DM-i in Europe (from around €35,990 / £31,065) and the Sealion 6 in Australia and other markets. With over 1.5 million sold, it's one of the most successful plug-in hybrids in the world.
How It Compares
The Song Plus DM-i sits between BYD's own cheaper Song Pro and the value-focused Chinese rivals. The Geely Galaxy Starship 7 undercuts it on price but is a touch smaller in feel, while the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV is a key export rival with far less EV range. The Song Plus's trump cards are its proven global reputation, strong electric range (up to 160 km), a generous 574-litre boot and that hard-to-argue-with value. It's not the cheapest or the most powerful, but as a no-nonsense, efficient, spacious family plug-in hybrid, it's earned its place as the world's best-selling PHEV SUV.
- Up to 160 km EV range and ~1,500 km combined
- Very low 3.9 L/100km hybrid fuel use
- Roomy mid-size cabin with a 574 L boot
- Outstanding value — from ~$19,100
- Being phased out in China for the Sealion 06
- Front-wheel drive only (AWD only on the European Seal U Design)
- No LiDAR; entry trim has slow AC-only charging
There's a reason the BYD Song Plus DM-i has sold over 1.5 million units: it nails the family-SUV brief at a price almost nobody can match. With up to 160 km of electric range, around 1,500 km of combined range, fuel use of just 3.9 L/100km and a roomy, well-equipped cabin from about $19,100, it's a textbook example of why BYD has conquered the plug-in hybrid market. In China it's now making way for the newer Sealion 06, but globally — as the Seal U DM-i and Sealion 6 — it remains one of the smartest-value family cars on sale. It isn't flashy or fast, but as efficient, spacious, affordable transport, it's very hard to beat.
