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2026 BYD eMAX 7 Review

Can the BYD eMAX 7 prove that fully electric MPVs work in the Philippines? We take it for a spin to find out.

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 BYD eMAX 7 Review

MPVs are a popular segment here in the Philippines. Cabin space, seven seats, and the large cargo compartments are a huge selling point for Filipinos. As such, almost every brand that operates here has some form of MPV, whether they’re the diesel-powered Innova or the gasoline-powered Xpander and Ertiga. 

For BYD, bringing an MPV to the Philippine market was a no-brainer. But since BYD is known for its New Energy Vehicles, their MPV comes with a unique twist—it’s fully electric. Meet the BYD eMAX 7, a battery-electric MPV designed to move people comfortably without the hassle or emissions of a gasoline engine. But can it work here in the Philippines? That’s what we set out to find in this review.

4.3 / 5
2026 BYD eMAX 7 Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
  • Quiet and Comfortable ride
  • Plenty of advanced driver aids and features
  • Quick and smooth power delivery
What You Won't Like
  • Space in the third row is limited
  • Captain's chairs are narrow
  • Analogue gauges in an EV
How We Do Our Reviews
BYD eMAX 7 Charging Port

We start with the headline of the eMAX 7, its powertrain. The variant we’re testing is the eMAX 7 Superior Captain, which has a front-mounted electric motor that develops 201 hp and 310 Nm of torque. Compared to the eMAX 7 Standard, which has a 55.4 kWh battery, the Superior Captain is fitted with a much larger 71.8 kWh battery that provides 530 km of range, 110 km more than the Standard’s 410 km.

The eMAX 7 is compatible with CCS2 and Type 2 charging standards, with a maximum charge rate of 115 kW for DC and 7 kW for AC. Using a DC charger, the eMAX 7 Superior Captain can get from 30 percent to 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes. The tradeoff for the much larger battery pack, however, is that the Superior Captain takes longer to charge on an AC charger at 13 hours from zero to 100 percent compared to the Standard’s nine hours.

BYD eMAX 7 Exterior 2
BYD eMAX 7 Exterior 1
BYD eMAX 7 Exterior 3

Compared to its more recent stablemates like the Seal 5 DM-i and Sealion 5 DM-i, the eMAX 7 borrows design cues from the Atto 3. This is evident in the smooth front end, with large headlights that wrap around the sides, a matte silver trim framing the BYD logo, and simple chrome accents on the lower bumper.

BYD eMAX 7 Exterior Side
BYD eMAX 7 Exterior Wheels
BYD eMAX 7 Exterior Rear Quarter

Along the sides, the eMAX 7 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and offers a respectable 170 mm of ground clearance. At the rear, the design mirrors the front, featuring taillights connected by a central piece and an overall clean, minimalist look.

BYD eMAX 7 Cargo Bay

Open the rear door, and it reveals 580 liters of usable cargo space with the rear seats folded down. With the rear seats in play, however, you will be limited to 180 liters of space. 

BYD eMAX 7 3rd Row

Starting with the third row, space here is par for the course for most MPVs. Headroom isn’t spectacular, and legroom can feel either generous or tight depending on how accommodating the second-row passengers are. These seats are best suited for smaller occupants or short trips around town, not just because of the limited space but also due to the modest amenities, which include air vents and a couple of bottle holders.

BYD eMAX 7 2nd Row

Move up to the second row, and the experience improves significantly. Passengers get a pair of captain’s chairs and a few more creature comforts to enjoy. The use of captain’s chairs also means the eMAX 7 Superior Captain is a six-seater MPV, unlike the seven-seat Standard variant that comes with a bench seat.

The captain’s chairs are comfortable and offer room to stretch out, depending on passenger height, along with better headroom than the third row and access to the panoramic sunroof. Second-row amenities include USB charging ports, dedicated air controls, and bottle holders. That said, despite being captain’s chairs, the seats are on the narrower side, so taller passengers may find them less accommodating than those of average height. Think of it like flying premium economy—you get a bit more space, but don’t expect to be completely spoiled.

BYD eMAX 7 Front Row

At the business end of the eMAX 7, the cabin will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has spent time in a BYD. Front and center is BYD’s signature 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, which also houses the cabin’s air and volume controls. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 360-degree camera and reverse camera functions. Other amenities include a wireless charging pad, power-adjustable seats, and automatic climate control.

BYD eMAX 7 Head Unit
BYD eMAX 7 Steering Wheel
BYD eMAX 7 Center Console

The multi-function steering wheel houses controls for hands-free calling, cruise control, and the instrument display. The wheel itself feels nicely weighted and solid in hand. Behind it sits the instrument cluster, which we found to be, interestingly, an analog setup. Some of the information can be a bit small to read, but overall, it works well; it’s just something you don’t normally expect to see in an EV.

BYD eMAX 7 Dashboard

As for the rest of the interior, the eMAX 7 gives drivers a clear view of the road thanks to its large windshield and quarter windows at the A-pillars. Much like other BYD vehicles we’ve tested, everything feels solid and well-built, from the shifter to the soft-touch panels throughout the cabin.

BYD eMAX 7 Center Console

Being an EV, the quiet and torquey electric motor of the eMAX 7 makes it a great people mover. Even with its length and weight, its 201 hp and 310 Nm of torque can be activated like an on/off switch whenever you need it. NVH is well insulated, with the only noise we noticed while driving being the tire noise, which tends to enter the cabin at speed. 

Even with a full load of passengers and cargo, we expect the eMAX 7 to still perform quite well, just don’t expect it to carve corners because it will still exhibit noticeable body roll. Just don’t forget that what you’re driving is still an MPV, and the eMAX 7 will perform accordingly. 

With 530 km of driving range, owners might be tempted to take it outside the Metr,o which it definitely can do. Equipped with BYD’s ADAS suite and plenty of safety features, the eMAX 7 makes a great road trip machine, just don’t forget to plan your routes for when you need to charge up.

So, who is the eMAX 7 for? We think it’s a solid fit for young or growing families looking for a people mover packed with tech, along with the quiet, emissions-free driving that comes with going electric.

Priced at P1,748,000, the eMAX 7 Superior Captain can feel either expensive or reasonably priced, depending on what you compare it against. Stack it up against mainstream MPVs like the Veloz or Xpander, and it sits on the pricier end. Compare it to more premium options such as the Hyundai Custin or Toyota Zenix, though, and the eMAX 7 starts to make a compelling case.

BYD eMAX 7 Rolling Shot

That’s not to say the eMAX 7 is a perfect MPV. It has a few quirks, including narrow captain’s chairs and a third row that’s best reserved for shorter trips. Still, with its refined ride, generous driving range of over 500 km, and strong suite of tech features, these drawbacks are easier to overlook. Furthermore, with lower running costs compared to ICE MPVs, the great value the eMAX 7 provides stretches beyond its price tag.

Specifications

Engine

n/a

Energy Source

Electric

Performance

201 hp @ 0 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain
Body Type MPV
Price ₱1,748,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

BYD eMAX 7 - Crystal White Crystal White
BYD eMAX 7 - Quartz Blue Quartz Blue
BYD eMAX 7 - Cosmos Black Cosmos Black
BYD eMAX 7 - Harbour Grey Harbour Grey

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