BYD Tang DM-i

Upon entering the BYD Tang DM-i, you are greeted by a luxurious-looking cabin that features a stylish black and grey leather trim. Its cabin comes with a very nice blend of soft-touch materials and hard plastics. Its leather seats are very well-bolstered and provide great ergonomics for all passengers, especially those who are seated in the first and second rows. Its front row is a very pleasant place to be in, while its second row has enough room for three passengers. However, its third row is very limited and a bit uncomfortable even for two child passengers on longer rides. But, on the plus side, you get a generous 940-L cargo space when the third row seats are folded (and an impressive 1,655-L max space). 

For entertainment and information accessibility, this SUV comes with a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display that has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth Handsfree, USB, voice assistant, 4G connectivity, OTA updating, BYD Cloud Service, and is connected to a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system. Like many new-gen Chinese vehicles, the majority of the car’s interior features are already integrated into the touchscreen infotainment display, which might be a bit of an issue for other drivers and passengers. 

Aside from these, drivers have access to a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped multicontrol electronic power steering wheel, and a very modern-looking gear lever. In terms of practicality, this SUV comes with front and rear 12V power sockets, four USB charging ports (front: 2, rear: 2), multiple bottle and cup holders both at the front and rear, as well as a wireless charger. It also features a wide panoramic sunroof, which creates a nice, aesthetic vibe inside the cabin but a bit of an issue when you are exposed to intense heat during the summertime.

In terms of dimensions, the BYD Tang DM-i measures 4,870 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,725 mm in height. This SUV has a 2,820 mm wheelbase and a 182 mm unladen ground clearance. It runs on sporty-looking 20-inch wheels.

Upfront, the BYD Tang DM-i looks like a sportier and more aggressive version of the Tang EV. Its facade resembles its smaller cousin, the Sealion 5 DM-i, courtesy of its wide black grille with a dragon scale-like pattern. Like its full-EV counterpart, it also displays an ethereal dragon-like glare through its LED headlamps. Its demeanor is also enhanced by DRLs and a two-toned bumper. 

It features a sleek two-toned side profile accentuated by black window trims, power-adjustable and foldable door mirrors, wheel arches, and side skirts. Puddle lamps are also integrated into its door mirrors for increased visibility at night. Meanwhile, its back end is certainly nice to look at thanks to its futuristic-looking LED tail light bar. It also has an LED high-mount brake lamp for increased safety at all times. And, for easier loading and unloading of cargo, you get a power tailgate at the back. To complete this SUV’s overall look, it comes with front and rear sequential turn signals.

The BYD Tang DM-i utilizes a suspension combination of a MacPherson Strut at the front, while a Multi-Link at the rear. This suspension setup offers a great balance of firmness and softness. Its steering is light and responsive allowing you to confidently maneuver through tight traffic and cruise at higher speeds on the highway. For a mid-size SUV, it also handles sharp turns or corners with finesse and precision. Overall, its suspension setup shows us just how versatile and comfortable the Tang DM-i is.

The BYD Tang DM-i comes with the brand’s Super DM-i technology. This hybrid technology utilizes a combination of a single permanent magnet synchronous motor, which generates 271 PS of motor power and 315 Nm of torque, and a 1.5L turbo high efficiency generator, which acts as a range extender. A 21.5 kWh BYD Blade battery pack powers its single electric motor and delivers an NEDC driving range of 110 km. Combined, the entire hybrid technology offers a whopping 1,160-km extended range. This SUV utilizes a front-wheel drivetrain and is equipped with three drive modes: Economy, Normal, and Sport.

The BYD Tang DM-i might not be the torquiest and most powerful in its class, but it is still very enjoyable to drive. Switching from full-EV to hybrid mode is very smooth and seamless. And, unlike its full-electric counterpart, the Tang DM-i produces a lively engine sound when cruising at high speeds on the highway. It also boasts top-notch efficiency, which makes it a very reliable companion for both your daily city commute and weekend out-of-town trips with family and friends.

The BYD Tang DM-i comes with the brand’s DiPilot (ADAS suite), which includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and brake, intelligent cruise control, lane departure assistance, intelligent high beam, blind spot monitoring, and a door open warning. It is also equipped with a 360-degree view camera system with see-through mode and a radar system with 8 sensors (front: 4, rear:4).

In terms of braking, this SUV comes with front ventilated discs and rear solid discs. Its braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control system, and a brake override system among others.

For buyers who are planning to buy their first mid-size SUV or hybrid vehicle, the BYD Tang DM-i certainly stands out as a very compelling choice. It is priced below other locally-available mid-size, turbo-hybrid SUVs (e.g., Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento), and yet it offers a very impressive mix of comfort and performance and is immensely feature-packed.