BYD Frigate 07

Model Overview

The Frigate 07 is a mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV under BYD's Ocean Series, officially launched on 9 December 2022. Positioned as an "all-new spacious five-seater super hybrid SUV", it was priced between RM202,800 and RM289,800. Serving as the flagship SUV in the Ocean Series' "Warship" lineup, its styling fully embraces the brand's "Ocean Aesthetics" design philosophy. Key selling points include its generous five-seater cabin, DM-i/DM-p super hybrid powertrains, and standard Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) variable damping suspension across the range.

In March 2024, the Frigate 07 Honor Edition arrived with a revised price tag of RM179,800 to RM259,800 across five variants, introducing a new Shell White interior theme and upgrading the infotainment unit to the high-tier DiLink 100 smart cockpit. The Honor Edition also standardised high-value kit across the range, including a 6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (VTOL) mobile power supply, a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster, and 50W wireless smartphone charging. However, following a brief high in 2023, the Frigate 07 saw its fortunes fade rapidly. Annual sales peaked at 66,262 units in 2023 before tumbling to 11,400 units in 2024, plummeting further to just 802 units throughout 2025, with sales hitting zero in September 2025. By 2026, the model had entered run-out clearance mode and effectively bowed out of the market.

Design Language

The Frigate 07 incorporates the overarching styling cues of BYD's Ocean Series, built around the "Ocean Aesthetics" design philosophy. Up front, a prominent wave-inspired grille is finished in gloss black with subtle horizontal slats, flanked by LED light arrays that mimic the bow wave of a naval vessel cutting through water. An illuminated BYD emblem adds a high-tech touch to the front fascia. Front grille illumination and D-pillar energy indicators are fitted on the 100KM Premium, 205KM, and 175KM variants. The triple-bar energy light on the D-pillar not only delivers a welcome animation upon unlocking, but also communicates charging status (fast/slow) and remaining battery levels via colour changes and light patterns.

Dimensionally, the SUV measures 4,820 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,750 mm tall, riding on a 2,820 mm wheelbase. A crisp, straight shoulder line is complemented by subtle lower door sculpting and flush pop-out door handles for a sleeker profile. Round back, a full-width LED light bar incorporates intricate 3D wave graphics within the housing, offering high visual recognition at night.

Inside, the Frigate 07 features an "Ocean-embraced Luxury Cabin" concept that balances soft-touch textures with bold structural lines. The multi-tiered dashboard integrates flowing wave motifs alongside spiral-styled air-conditioning vents. High-spec variants boast a 15.6-inch adaptive rotating floating touchscreen, while entry trims settle for a 12.8-inch unit. The Honor Edition introduced an elegant Shell White upholstery option that brightens the interior ambience. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is standard across all trims, complemented by a 31-colour ambient lighting system. In a quirky nod to the marine theme, the interior door handles are styled after nautilus shells, highlighting the Ocean Series' playful design details.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the bonnet, the Frigate 07 utilises BYD's DM-i and DM-p super hybrid architectures, driven by a Xiaoyun dedicated hybrid 1.5Ti turbocharged petrol engine pushing 102 kW (139 PS) and 231 Nm of torque. Front-wheel-drive DM-i variants feature a front-mounted electric motor rated at 145 kW and 316 Nm. The performance-focused DM-p all-wheel-drive variant adds a 150 kW rear electric motor, bumping combined system output to a potent 295 kW (401 PS) and 656 Nm of torque.

Energy is stored in BYD's proprietary LFP Blade Battery, offered in 18.3 kWh and 36.8 kWh capacities. On the NEDC cycle, these deliver pure electric ranges of 100 km and 205 km respectively for the DM-i, whereas the AWD DM-p manages 175 km (NEDC). Under the stricter WLTC cycle, electric range stands at 82 km for the base battery and roughly 170 km for the larger pack. Hybrid fuel consumption with a depleted battery is rated as low as 5.3 L/100 km (NEDC). DC fast charging is standard across the board, juicing up from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes. On the Honor Edition, the VTOL external power output has been boosted to 6 kW, providing ample juice for outdoor camping gear and domestic appliances. Against the clock, the DM-i completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds (100 km variant) or 8.9 seconds (205 km variant), while the dual-motor DM-p achieves the century run in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is capped at 180 km/h, with all variants engineered to accept RON 92 petrol.

Chassis & Handling

The chassis setup stands out as one of the Frigate 07's key mechanical highlights. All variants feature front MacPherson struts and a rear four-link independent suspension setup. Upgrading from the older three-link design to a four-link rear axle brings noticeable gains in cornering stability and road bump absorption. Paired with a comfort-biased, low-frequency damping tune, the chassis prioritises a pliant, serene ride for all occupants.

In a first for its segment, the Frigate 07 comes standard with FSD variable damping shock absorbers across the range. The dampers automatically alter damping forces based on surface inputs: firming up on smooth highways to aid high-speed composure, and softening over rough tarmac to soak up harsh bumps and high-frequency vibrations. Behind the wheel, the chassis delivers a planted, composed ride, taking undulating roads and speed bumps in its stride while resisting excessive body roll through bends. The steering setup is distinctly comfort-oriented; while feedback is modest, it is light, progressive, and effortless around town, fitting its family-first brief.

Cockpit & Equipment

The Frigate 07 Honor Edition received substantial technological upgrades inside. Standard across the range is the high-tier DiLink 100 smart cockpit system, driven by a bespoke Qualcomm Snapdragon 6nm octa-core chipset. With processing power rated at 136k DMIPS and integrated 5G connectivity, the system delivers a major leap in UI responsiveness and processing capability.

The DiLink 100 operating system includes ONE ID facial recognition, which identifies the driver upon entry and automatically recalls personalised seat, mirror, and infotainment presets. The voice assistant has been enhanced with continuous 20-second multi-command listening, four-zone voice localisation, "see-and-say" UI control, zone locking, and instantaneous barge-in interruption. Three dedicated cabin presets—Siesta, Outdoor Camping, and Child Mode—configure the seating position, air-conditioning, and ambient lighting with a single tap. Daily convenience is further bolstered by 3D digital car rendering, split/dual desktop views, and three-finger gesture climate shortcuts. Convenience kit on the Honor Edition includes a 50W fast wireless charging pad and a factory-integrated ETC transponder. Premium grades add a 12-speaker Dynaudio Hi-Fi sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a head-up display (HUD). Boot capacity stands at a generous 615 litres, expanding to 1,865 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats laid flat.

Safety & Intelligent Driving

On the passive safety front, the Frigate 07 benefits from a high-rigidity structure tailored for electrified vehicles, equipped with six airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags) as standard. Its Blade Battery successfully aced extreme nail penetration safety testing without thermal runaway. In the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) crash tests, the Frigate 07 secured top 'Good' (G) ratings across all six key evaluation metrics, cementing its credentials as a safety benchmark in the PHEV SUV segment.

Active safety and driver aids are managed by BYD's DiPilot suite, offering Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities as standard. Premium variants deploy an expanded hardware array consisting of 5 cameras, 3 millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors for Level 2+ driver assistance. Core driver-assist systems include full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with smooth stop-and-go functionality, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA), Interactive Light Lane Change Assist (ILCA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), and Blind Spot Monitoring with Lane Change Assist. Parking is made effortless thanks to standard front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and a transparent chassis display. Top-trim models add Remote Parking Assist (RPA) via smartphone and an optional Driver Monitoring System (DMS).

Market Performance & Review

The market trajectory of the Frigate 07 paints a classic boom-to-bust parabolic arc. The SUV enjoyed a stellar maiden year in 2023, recording 66,262 deliveries, placing it among the frontrunners in the mid-size SUV class and regularly clocking monthly volumes in excess of 10,000 units. Come 2024, however, demand fell off a cliff, with full-year deliveries tumbling 83% to just 11,400 units. The slide turned catastrophic in 2025: monthly sales hovered in the double digits from April onwards, sinking to just 10 units in November, with a total of 791 units sold from January to November and a zero-sales figure recorded in September. Total deliveries for 2025 closed at a dismal 802 units, ranking 32nd in BYD's domestic portfolio and contributing under 0.03% of total brand sales. By the first quarter of 2026, cumulative figures stagnated at 802 units, with its March sales placing it 320th in the overall SUV standings.

Several compounding factors explain this sudden decline. Externally, the RM170,000 to RM250,000 bracket evolved into an intensely crowded battleground for range-extender (EREV) and PHEV SUVs. Fierce competitors like the Li Auto L7 and AITO M5 mounted aggressive marketing campaigns and offered superior smart tech, progressively cannibalising the Frigate 07's market share. Internally, the Frigate 07 suffered from product cannibalisation against its stablemate, the BYD Tang. While both shared a similar price bracket and identical wheelbase, the Tang offered versatile six- and seven-seater seating configurations against the Frigate 07's strict five-seater layout, steering family buyers towards the more practical Tang. Strategically, as BYD prioritised resource allocation for volume leaders like the Song PLUS and Sealion 07, the Frigate 07 was left on the back burner. In May 2025, the debut of the Sealion 07 DM-i effectively sealed its fate, serving as the Frigate 07's de facto successor.

Looking back at its entire lifecycle, the Frigate 07 was by no means an inferior product. It was a well-engineered mid-size PHEV SUV boasting solid mechanical underpinnings, upgraded connected tech, and class-leading chassis hardware like standard FSD dampers and multi-link rear suspension—offering genuine value in the RM200,000 territory. Instead, it fell victim to awkward product positioning, hyper-competitive market shifts, and evolving internal brand priorities. The stark contrast between its technical capability and lacklustre commercial lifespan encapsulates BYD's aggressive strategy of rapid product iteration and portfolio streamlining amidst an ever-expanding lineup.