2025 BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium Review

After the launch of the BYD Sealion 6, most of us hadn’t expected to see another affordable hybrid in the market for some time. However, BYD Philippines managed to break our expectations once more with the Seal 5 DM-i.

The main reason is the Seal 5’s pricing: starting at just P948,000 for the Dynamic and topping out at P1,198,000 for the top-spec Premium variant, which significantly undercuts all of its competition. Considering you’re getting a hybrid sedan with over 1,000 km of driving range at that price, our astonishment was well-founded.

But before we heap on more praise, it's worth remembering that what a brochure promises and how a car performs in the real world can be two very different things. Our goal in this review is to find out whether the Seal 5 DM-i truly delivers on its promise—or if it’s too good to be true.

Let’s start with the Seal 5’s dimensions. It measures 4,780 mm long, 1,837 mm wide, and 1,495 mm tall, with a 2,718 mm wheelbase. This makes it longer, wider, and taller than other compact cars on the market, such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis—a notable advantage given its pricing aligns more closely with subcompact cars like the Vios and City.

In terms of design, the Seal 5 DM-i shares styling cues with its stablemates. It’s sleek, with just the right amount of boldness. The most eye-catching feature is the front end, with sharp headlights and a wide, multi-slat grille that spans the width of the car. The rear is equally striking, sporting wraparound tail lights. From the side, the Seal 5 Premium rides on 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels. While we’re not fans of the wheel design, they do complement the car’s overall look.

Lastly, the Seal 5 DM-i has a ground clearance of 160 mm, while it may not tickle the fancy of younger people who may prefer low slung sedans, the extra ride height provides extra peace of mind whenever you go over humps or bumps.

Inside the Seal 5 DM-i, the cabin delivers a premium, futuristic vibe. A highlight is the rotating infotainment screen, which switches between portrait and landscape modes for more flexible use of navigation, media, and apps. Soft-touch materials and leather upholstery add a touch of luxury, while the roomy interior offers generous head and legroom for five passengers. 

Speaking more about the seats, the cushioning on the seats is forgiving with adequate bolstering. While the leather isn’t made from the best material out there, it’s still a good addition to have. Essential features like ISOFIX tethers and cupholders are also available at the rear.

Up front, the driver gets tilt and telescopic steering, power-adjustable seats, and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. Other features include wireless charging pads and a rotary gear selector.

There are only a few things we don’t like about the interior, but they’re worth mentioning. First is the HVAC system's controls—while you can turn it on and off via the center console, adjusting specific settings like fan speed and temperature requires using the infotainment screen, which takes some time to navigate. Second is the absence of USB Type-C ports up front; if you plan to charge your phone, you’ll need a Type-A to Type-C cable instead.

On the positive side, we love the absence of piano black plastics in the cabin. It not only gives the Seal 5 DM-i a cleaner look but also helps reduce visible wear. As mentioned earlier, the interior blends plastics with soft-touch materials, making it a genuinely pleasant space to be in.

The Seal 5 DM-i is powered by BYD’s DM-i hybrid system, the same system you’ll find on the Sealion 6. The system in the Seal 5 consists of a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, forming an efficient and responsive hybrid system. Powering the electric motor is BYD’s signature Blade Battery, offering an all-electric range of 50 to 115 km (NEDC cycle).

The Dynamic variant produces 177 hp and 316 Nm of torque, while the Premium we drove bumps that up to 194 hp and 325 Nm. The claimed total range is impressive—1,175 km for the Dynamic and 1,240 km for the Premium. On our drive from Manila to Talisay, Batangas, we were able to clock a fuel economy figure of 34 km/L. We would also like to note that we did not start on a full charge, so that puts the fuel economy of the Seal 5 DM-i into perspective. 

On the road, the Seal 5 is surprisingly quick, reaching highway speeds with ease after a firm press of the accelerator. Despite its brisk acceleration, it does so smoothly and without fuss, even when overtaking uphill.

Not everything is perfect, though. The drive-by-wire brakes take some getting used to, and the steering feel is a bit numb. These aren’t dealbreakers by any means, but they do require some adjustment to find the right feel.

When it comes to comfort, the Seal 5 DM-i’s suspension feels remarkably plush for its size. It handles bumps with ease, comparable even to larger sedans. The ride is smooth and predictable, and thanks to the low seating position, long drives are comfortable. Combine that with its quiet cabin and impressive fuel efficiency, and the Seal 5 DM-i stands out as an excellent daily driver. 

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i Premium packs a solid tech punch. Up front, there’s a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. You also get an 8-speaker sound system, a wireless charging pad, and a 360-degree camera for easier parking.

Other notable features include a sunroof, puddle lamps on the side mirrors, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing the car to power external devices. A 7 kW wall charger is also provided for efficient home charging.

Safety hasn't been overlooked, with features like six airbags, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Hold Control (HHC) ensuring peace of mind on the road. The car also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, keeping its software up to date.

Now that we’ve gotten to know the Seal 5 DM-i better, it’s time to answer the big question: Is it too good to be true? In short, no, it really isn’t. The Seal 5 DM-i offers standout value, combining solid features, hybrid efficiency, and a surprisingly affordable price tag.

Sure, it’s missing a few high-end touches like adaptive cruise control, but when you’re getting a full-fledged hybrid sedan for under P1.2 million, that’s a trade-off most will happily take. Bottom line? The BYD Seal 5 DM-i sets a new standard for value—and there’s no catch.

Check out the BYD Seal 5 DM-i on AutoDeal.com.ph and the rest of the BYD lineup on the BYD Car Guide.