BYD eMAX 9 DM-i

Similar to its exterior design, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i also features a very luxurious-looking cabin that offers impressive spaciousness for seven passengers. This luxury MPV comes with seats that provide excellent ergonomics for all occupants even on long-distance trips. Both variants come with ventilated driver and front passenger seats. However, only the Premium variant gets ventilation for its middle row occupants, as well as a massage function for its driver and middle row seats–leading to a much more prestigious riding experience inside the cabin.

Aside from these, this luxury MPV also comes with ten bottle/cup holders (front: 4, second row: 4, third row: 2), six USB charging ports (front: 3 Type-A, rear: 3 Type-C), and a 12V power socket. For an increased layer of comfort and convenience, the Premium variant also gets a wireless charger and a car refrigerator. And, on top of this, this luxury MPV offers an impressive 2,036-L maximum cargo capacity.

Upfront, all passengers can enjoy a 15.6-inch LCD infotainment display that comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth Handsfree, USB, a voice assistant, 4G connectivity, OTA updating, and a BYD Cloud Service. The Premium variant features a 12-speaker sound system, whereas the Advanced variant gets the 8-speaker version. 

Meanwhile, drivers are treated to a hypermodern cockpit that consists of a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster display and a multicontrol steering wheel wrapped in leather. Overall, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i’s cabin offers a very satisfying mix of practicality, comfort, and a sense of luxury for everyone on board.

In terms of dimensions, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i measures 5,145 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and 1,805 mm in height. This luxury MPV comes with a 3,045 mm wheelbase and a 157 mm unladen ground clearance.

From the outside, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i features a modern MPV design that exudes a mix of boldness and elegance on the road. It flaunts a unique, futuristic-looking facade accentuated by LED headlamps with DRLs, a large chrome grille, and a silver strip in the middle, which proudly flexes the BYD emblem. On the sides, it has a classy silhouette enhanced by chrome finishes, sharp character lines, well-proportioned curves, and a very clean set of 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels. 

Moreover, its luxurious, hypermodern personality carries over to its rear. It features a futuristic-looking LED tail light bar, as well as fog lamps and a high-mount brake lamp for increased illumination and visibility, especially when cruising at night. To enhance this MPV’s luxurious feel, it gets front and rear sequential turn signals and a power tailgate. The Premium variant also comes with an automatic 2nd row sliding door, as well as auto adjustment and memory functions for its power-adjustable and foldable side mirrors for a more prestigious experience overall. All in all, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i’s appearance just embodies wealth and sophistication wherever it goes. 

The BYD eMAX 9 DM-i comes with a MacPherson Strut suspension at the front and a 4-Link independent type at the rear. Thanks to this setup, you’ll be able to easily maneuver this MPV inside the city despite its weight and overall size. It is fun and confidence-inspiring to drive through winding roads out of town. It also has great absorption of bumps and uneven concrete pavements. Ultimately, this luxury MPV can deliver a supple and very satisfying riding experience for everyone on board.

Both variants of the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i are powered by the brand’s Super DM-i technology that utilizes a combination of a single permanent magnet synchronous motor, which generates 271 PS of motor power and 315 Nm of motor torque, and a 1.5L turbo high efficiency generator, which serves as a range extender. 

Both variants’ electric motors are mated to a BYD Blade battery pack, but with different capacities The Premium variant comes with the 36.6 kWh version of the battery pack that delivers a 170-km NEDC driving range, while the Advanced variant gets the 20.4 kWh counterpart that has a 95-km NEDC driving range. Using a DC fast charger, both battery packs can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

The combination of the battery pack and the engine’s fuel results in an impressive 1,000-km extended range for the Premium variant, while 945-km for the advanced variant. The eMAX 9 DM-i utilizes a front-wheel drivetrain and comes with four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Economy, and Snow.

On the highway, this luxury MPV makes light work of overtaking slower vehicles. It delivers impressive straight-line swiftness that you wouldn’t expect from your typical family MPV. Meanwhile, in the city, it offers top-notch efficiency even when passing through bumper-to-bumper traffic. That said, the eMAX 9 DM-i is just a reliable and capable vehicle both within the Metro and outside town.

Only the Premium variant of the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i comes with the brand’s DiPilot (ADAS suite), which consists of front and rear collision warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and brake, intelligent cruise and high beam controls, lane departure assist, front cross traffic alert and brake, emergency lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, door open warning, adaptive cruise control, and an automatic emergency braking system.

However, similar to the top variant, the Advanced variant gets a 360-degree view camera system with a see-through mode, a radar system with six sensors (front: 2, rear: 4), and a regular cruise control.

Additionally, the braking setups of both variants are equipped with an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control system, a brake override system, and a coordinated regenerative braking system among others. This luxury MPV utilizes discs for both front and rear braking.

In my opinion, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i is arguably one of the locally-available luxury MPVs that deliver the highest value for money. For its competitive price point, it is very feature-packed, immensely usable in the city, and respectably capable out on the open road. Its versatility is definitely praiseworthy.