BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families

BYD Cars Philippines rolled out the eMAX 7 not too long ago. 

The Ayala-led Chinese carmaker rightfully touts the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) as a modern ride for modern families, given the wealth of technological features and comfort-oriented appointments it offers. 

Further, it packs an all-electric powertrain, which not only allows would-be owners to save money on fuel and maintenance while helping care for the environment, but also to reap the benefits that come with electric vehicle ownership in the country — coding exemptions and all. 

Zigwheels Philippines got to try the BYD eMAX 7, specifically its range-topping Superior Captain variant, for several days, and here are our thoughts. 

Subtly stylish 

Unlike many of today’s popular MPVs, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain offers subtle styling. Instead of adopting the typical aggressive and dynamic look, it opted for a more refined yet sporty design, which, in our opinion, matches its overall character. 

At the fore is a sleek bonnet accompanied by an elegant silver garnish flanked by LED headlamps with daytime running lights. The lower portion of its fascia features horizontal air vents, while the vehicle’s cheeks — which introduce just the right amount of angular elements — break up its opulent appearance in a good way.

On its chin are tastefully applied chrome trims. 

To its sides are beautiful bodylines, which give the MPV a stout stance. No plastic claddings are found here; instead, the aforementioned features are complemented by simple, yet stylish appointments, such as two-tone side mirrors with turn signals, chrome garnishes on the windows (although we wished it dropped the “SPACE” script on the lower portion of the window surround), blacked-out pillars for a floating roof effect, and chrome side sill accents to match the shiny appliques at the front. 

It rides on two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/55 radial tires. These rubbers, while offering good traction, help dampen road imperfections and contribute to the supple ride quality of the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain. 

At the back, the MPV comes with a decent-sized glass that is topped with a discreet spoiler. Here, a third brake lamp is installed. Below the window is a pair of combination LED taillamps, which are clustered along with sequential turn signals and a pair of fog lamps. The BYD emblem sits atop the illumination assembly. 

Loading cargo after a quick grocery run with the fam will prove to be easy thanks to an automatic tailgate. Rounding up its notable features at the rear is a bumper with a chrome accent, two reflectors, and a suite of visible radars. 

Overall, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain looks casually clean. In white, especially, the MPV gives off a luxurious sheen, which catches the attention of motorists and bystanders alike. Behind the wheel, I got curious glances with the occasional nods of approval, particularly from those who recognize that it’s an electric vehicle (EV). 

Those interested in its size may refer to the table below: 

Dimensions (LxWxH in millimeters [mm>)	4,710 x 1,810 x 1,690
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,800
Ground clearance (in mm)	170
Seating capacity	6
Cargo capacity (in liters)	580

For comparison’s sake, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is a tad longer and wider than the segment staple, Mitsubishi Xpander (4,595 x 1,750 x 1,50 mm). It also clears the ground higher (Xpander ground clearance 225 mm) and boasts a longer wheelbase (Xpander wheelbase 2,775 mm). 

Classy cabin 

Welcoming occupants of the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is a classy interior, with warm-colored upholstery and a beige headliner. 

Finished in brown leather are the seats, center armrest, and some portions of the door cards. On the other hand, the steering wheel is wrapped in a similar leather, but in a fashionable black color. 

Other homey design cues come in the form of faux wood accents that are set in its dashboard and door trims. Surprisingly, they go well with chrome finishers that are found on some parts of the cabin, including the three-spoke steering wheel, air conditioning vents on the dash, and door cards. 

Still present are hard plastic surfaces, but these have been used on areas that require some level of sturdiness, such as the glove box, the edges of the center console, the beverage and snack pockets on the doors, as well as the walls for the third-row seating and boot area.  

In general, the cabin of the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain feels luxurious without looking hard to maintain. It could be ideal for families who want to add a dash of style to their everyday journeys.

Captain’s seats 

Arguably, the highlight of the six-seater version of the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is its second-row captain’s chairs. 

The seats are well bolstered with plush cushioning. These allow for finding one’s most comfortable position in both short and long trips. They have a sliding function, which means that the legroom can be adjusted to suit the preference of the passenger. 

Armrests are provided to help reduce fatigue while on the road, while a panoramic sunroof elevates the occupant’s overall experience. 

Tech-heavy 

As mentioned earlier, one of the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain’s strongest suits is its ability to offer would-be owners a suite of technological amenities. 

To begin with, the driver will face a multi-functional steering wheel with quick controls for accessing the 360-degree view camera, rotating the infotainment screen’s orientation, operating the cruise control settings, making calls, and adjusting audio volume. 

Past it is a five-inch LCD instrument cluster with two analog gauges. The panel displays the relevant driving information, such as the following: 

• Battery level 
• Estimated range 
• Speedometer 
• Selected drive mode 

To its side is a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. When connected, the applications appear smooth with no noticeable sign of lag. 

While having visibility of one’s route is important, the ability to check nearby charging stations via online map services is vital to those driving EVs. Thanks to the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain’s larger-than-life screen, spotting available locations to juice up the MPV is easy. 

Likewise, quickly scanning through one’s playlist is also relatively effortless thanks to the generous monitor size. It has six speakers with decent audio quality, which everyone will likely appreciate. 

In terms of keeping occupants cool, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain relies on an automatic air conditioning system with a PM 2.5 air filter. Dedicated vents for second- and third-row passengers are available. 

Here are some of its other notable technological features: 

• Wireless smartphone charger 
• Ambient lighting 
• Ventilated driver, front passenger seats 
• Power six-way driver’s seat 
• Power four-way front passenger’s seat 
• Voice assistant 
• Over-the-air uploading 
• Charging ports on center console compartment 
• Smart entry, keyless start 
• NFC card compatible 
• Speed-sensing door locks 

Decent power, good range 

Powering the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is a permanent magnet synchronous motor that sends power to the front wheels. Energy comes from a 71.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion phosphate Blade battery. 

The setup generates the following figures: 

Maximum power output (in horsepower)	201
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	310

The above numbers translate to smooth acceleration from a standstill and sustained power in faster driving situations. 

In terms of deceleration, a set of disc brakes provides ample stopping power to bring the MPV to a halt. Further, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain’s regenerative braking action helps with slowing down the vehicle. 

Speaking of which, the six-seater family car has a good driving range of 530 kilometers. We were unable to test how far it can go on a single charge, but it is definitely more than enough for strolling around the suburbs in the south. 

When it is time to plug in, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain’s battery can be replenished using a CCS2/Type 2 standard charger. These are easier to find and are available in the large EV charging network run by ACMobility. 

Every purchase of the BYD eMAX 7 comes with the following: 

• Portable charging cable
• Wall-mounted charger (seven kilowatts)
• Vehicle-to-load adapter 

For those wondering, here are its suspension components:

Front suspension	MacPhreson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link

 

Robust safety features 

The BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain offers a robust list of safety features. Below are its available standard technologies: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Traction control system 
• Electronic stability control 
• Anti-lock braking
• Hill-hold control 
• Tire pressure monitoring 
• Electronic anti-theft system 
• Vehicle dynamic control system 
• Electronic brake-force distribution 

It also comes with the following advanced driver-assist systems: 

• 360-degree camera with see-through mode 
• Four rear sensors 
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping assist 
• Automatic emergency braking 
• Lane departure assist 
• Blind spot detection 
• Predictive collision warning 
• Rear collision warning 
• Rear cross traffic alert 
• Rear cross traffic braking 
• Door open warning 

Overall, the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain has more than just the basics covered. It’s a vehicle that one will feel safe in, especially when traveling with their loved ones. 

Verdict 

The BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is truly made for the modern Filipino family. It comes with plenty of tech features that we now see as daily necessities, such as good air conditioning, a wireless charging pad, smartphone integration, and a reliable EV powertain. 

And since it can juice up other appliances, the MPV might just prove itself more useful in the event of a power outage. 

The range-topping BYD eMAX 7 is priced at P1.748 million. 

Also read: 

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