Model Name: BYD Sealion 06 DM-i (BYD's "Sealion" series D-segment PHEV SUV)
Brand: BYD / Ocean Series
Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV / DM-i)
Launch Date: First debuted on 24 July 2025; the latest 2026 model officially debuted on 26 May 2026.
Price Range: Recommended retail pricing for the 2026 model ranges from RM129,900 to RM159,900.
The BYD Sealion 06 DM-i serves as the core volume driver within BYD's Ocean Series "Sealion" stable, positioned as a D-segment family plug-in hybrid SUV. First introduced to the market in July 2025, it represents BYD's next-generation PHEV SUV strategically placed in the RM130,000 to RM160,000 price bracket following the "Song" series, marking a major milestone in the Ocean Series' journey towards becoming a distinct, standalone sub-brand.
Product-wise, the Sealion 06 DM-i progressively succeeds the blockbuster "Song PLUS DM-i". Engineered from the ground up on the 5th Generation DM Hybrid System, it boasts noticeable improvements over its predecessor across body dimensions, pure electric range, and chassis hardware.
The 2026 Sealion 06 DM-i arrives as an annual model year update, bringing focused upgrades across four core pillars: all-electric range, ADAS capabilities, comfort amenities, and chassis dynamics. The entry price has been reduced substantially from the 2025 model's RM139,800 to RM129,900, significantly boosting its value proposition. With over 130 features fitted as standard across the range, it strongly delivers on its "luxury from the base spec" promise.
The Sealion 06 DM-i adopts BYD's latest Ocean Series design language, characterised by sleek, fluid surface contours and high-tech detailing. The 2026 model gains a new "Glaze Silver" exterior paintwork that displays a refined metallic sheen under natural light, while existing colours including Smoke Ash, Warm White, and Cloud Grey remain available.
Front Fascia: Features a semi-closed front grille paired with split-level LED headlights. The daytime running lights are sculpted into the bonnet's outer ridges, while the main projector headlamps sit lower down to create a distinct layered look. Polygonal air curtains flanking the bumper and dual-layer darkened trapezoidal lower air intakes visually widen the SUV's front stance.
Side Profile: Showcases smooth, muscular proportions equipped with semi-flush door handles and 19-inch dual-tone petal-style alloy wheels, complemented by a floating D-pillar treatment for a sleek, cohesive silhouette.
Rear End: Highlighted by full-width "Interstellar Loop" smoked LED taillights that deliver immediate road presence when lit. Down below, a pronounced black rear diffuser adds a sporty touch to the rear bumper.
Dimensions: Measures 4,810 mm (L) × 1,920 mm (W) × 1,675 mm (H) with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, placing it firmly in the D-segment SUV class. Overall dimensions are marginally larger than the outgoing Song PLUS.
Cabin & Interior: Features a wraparound cockpit layout with a dual floating digital display setup, incorporating a 10.25-inch integrated digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch rotatable central touchscreen, and a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel. The 2026 update introduces a "Twilight Blue" interior theme tailored to match the Glaze Silver exterior, alongside the carried-over "Ocean Rhythm Grey" upholstery. Gear selection is handled via a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector, freeing up the centre console for a 50W cooled wireless charging pad and essential physical shortcut buttons.
At the heart of the Sealion 06 DM-i is BYD's 5th Generation DM Plug-in Hybrid System, comprising a dedicated 1.5L naturally aspirated hybrid petrol engine and a front-mounted electric motor.
Internal Combustion Engine: 1.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit outputting 74 kW (101 PS) and 126 Nm of torque.
Front Electric Motor: Available in two output tunes of 160 kW and 175 kW, with peak torque rated at 260 Nm and higher on the top tune respectively. The hybrid system prioritises pure electric drive under most conditions, with the engine kicking in to directly drive the wheels at highway cruising speeds.
0–100 km/h Acceleration: Clocked at approximately 7.8 to 7.9 seconds (tested real-world figures vary depending on conditions).
Battery & EV Range: Fitted with either a 26.6 kWh or 38 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, delivering a CLTC pure electric range of 205 km and 310 km respectively. The 310 km variant comfortably covers a full week of daily urban commutes solely on EV power.
Depleted Battery Fuel Consumption: Fuel economy when running on a depleted battery goes as low as 3.3 L/100 km under NEDC testing, and around 4.6 to 4.7 L/100 km on the WLTC cycle.
Total Driving Range: With a full tank of petrol and a fully charged battery, the CLTC comprehensive range reaches an impressive 1,845 km. Pairing a ~60 L fuel tank with ultra-efficient energy management completely eliminates long-distance range anxiety.
Fast Charging: Supports DC fast charging up to 54 kW on the 205 km variant and up to 82 kW on the 310 km model, with real-world 30% to 80% state-of-charge (SOC) top-ups taking around 18 to 24 minutes.
The Sealion 06 DM-i features a chassis setup tuned specifically away from its pure EV counterpart to balance manufacturing costs with everyday family ride comfort.
Drivetrain: Front-engine, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), with both the ICE unit and traction motor positioned across the front axle.
Suspension Setup: Front MacPherson struts + rear multi-link (4-link) independent suspension. Unlike the EV's setup (double-joint MacPherson front + 5-link rear), the DM-i version is calibrated to maximise cabin space and bump compliance.
DiSus-C Adaptive Damping Standard Across Range: Fitted with BYD's DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System, adjusting damper valving in milliseconds to soften over road imperfections for a plush ride, while stiffening up through corners to curb body roll.
New Chassis Additions (2026 Model):
Road Surface Preview: Uses onboard sensors to scan upcoming manhole covers and speed humps, proactively prepping damper rates for smoother compliance.
Comfort Anti-Motion Sickness Mode: Calibrates suspension damping, throttle response, and climate control in tandem to minimise passenger motion sickness (especially for elderly occupants and children).
Brakes & Tyres: Front ventilated discs with solid rear discs, electronic parking brake (EPB), riding on uniform 235/50 R19 tyres across all variants. Includes a built-in High-Speed Tyre Blowout Stability Control System, proven to maintain vehicle composure and steerability during blowouts at speeds up to 140 km/h.
Ride & Handling Impressions: Road tests highlight excellent road insulation over patchy tarmac with minimal secondary bounce and dependable cornering roll control. However, the steering ratio is relatively slow with muted feedback: the dynamics are unapologetically comfort-focused and tailored for family duties rather than spirited B-road driving.
The Sealion 06 DM-i's interior receives thorough enhancements geared towards smart connectivity, premium comfort, and everyday family practicality.
Digital Displays:
Standard 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and 15.6-inch floating rotatable infotainment touchscreen across the board.
The range-topping 310 Flagship variant adds a 26-inch Windscreen Head-Up Display (W-HUD).
Infotainment & Connectivity: Equipped with the DiLink 100 Intelligent Cockpit (running on DiLink 6.0 UI), with an available upgrade to DiLink 150. Features a refreshed UI layout, bespoke navigation mapping, robust voice control, and seamless smartphone-to-vehicle pairing.
Cabin Comfort Upgrades (2026 Model Year Highlights):
Powered front seats (with memory settings, welcome entry, seat ventilation, heating, and massage on selected variants).
Zero-Gravity Front Passenger Seat with Powered Ottoman Leg Rest (exclusive to 310 Long Range variants).
Built-in fragrance diffuser, multi-colour ambient lighting, and an onboard heating/cooling mini-fridge (higher trims).
Flat rear floor, dedicated rear air vents, USB charging ports, and a rear centre armrest with integrated cup holders.
Audio System: Higher-spec grades feature a 12-speaker Dynaudio premium sound system.
Boot Space & Storage: Dual front smartphone trays (left side features a cooled wireless charging pad), twin cup holders below the console, and a generous 757 L standard boot capacity that expands further via 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
The Sealion 06 DM-i incorporates BYD's latest comprehensive active safety, passive crash protection, and Level 2 driver assistance hardware suite.
Passive Safety Structure:
Body constructed with 78.7% high-strength steel, including 41% ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel reinforcing critical load paths like the A- and B-pillars.
7 airbags fitted as standard, including front, front side, and full-length side curtain airbags.
The Blade Battery pack has passed extreme nail penetration tests, integrated into a three-tier electrical safety architecture capable of shutting down high-voltage systems in milliseconds during an impact.
Standard ADAS Hardware: Comes standard with the God's Eye C (DiPilot 100) suite, powered by 5 millimetre-wave radars, 12 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic parking sensors.
Standard ADAS Features:
Highway Navigation Assist (semi-autonomous cruising on expressways, automated lane changes, and ramp navigation).
All-Scenario Automated Parking (including auto park-in/out, remote key parking, and memory parking).
Level 2 staples such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).
Optional Flagship ADAS (DiPilot 300):
Available upgrade to a roof-mounted LiDAR running God's Eye B hardware, priced at approximately RM12,000.
Unlocks City Navigation on Autopilot (CNOA), traffic light recognition with countdown display, roundabout navigation, dynamic merging, and autonomous yielding at complex intersections.
Since its introduction, the Sealion 06 DM-i has charted a classic blockbuster sales pattern characterised by "an explosive start, a peak, a brief market correction, and a strong rebound".
2025 Sales Surge:
Following its July 2025 debut, first-month retail deliveries quickly crossed 25,000 units.
Maintained monthly deliveries of over 30,000 units for four consecutive months from August to November (30,500 in August; 30,900 in September; 33,200 in October; 35,100 in November).
Took just 100 days to see its 100,000th unit roll off the production line, setting a record-breaking production milestone across vehicle classes.
Closed 2025 with total sales exceeding 160,000 units, establishing itself as the core pillar of BYD's Ocean Series.
Early 2026 Market Transition:
Monthly sales cooled to 9,047 units in December 2025 and dropped further to 2,636 units in January 2026 due to seasonal slowdowns and EV subsidy policy adjustments.
Deliveries picked up swiftly with the arrival of the 2026 facelift: In April 2026, combined Sealion 06 nameplate sales (including EV variants) reached 19,649 units, with the DM-i contributing around 4,000 units alongside over 15,600 units from the EV models.
Consumer Feedback & Critical Reception:
Key Strengths: The 310 km electric-only range is a standout in the PHEV SUV segment, making daily EV-only commuting genuinely viable; generous standard kit (DiSus-C, ADAS, large dual screens) provides unbeatable bang for buck; the 2,820 mm wheelbase and flat rear floor offer superb rear legroom for families.
Point of Contention: The sharp, split-headlamp styling leans progressive, which some traditional buyers find slightly polarising compared to the conservative, crowd-pleasing aesthetic of the Song PLUS.
Automotive Media Verdict: Regarded as having practically no major packaging flaws; offering over 300 km of pure EV range, DiSus-C active damping, and optional city ADAS within the RM130,000 to RM160,000 price point makes it the benchmark for value-packed plug-in hybrid SUVs.
In summary, the Sealion 06 DM-i is a D-segment PHEV SUV engineered specifically for families seeking ultra-low running costs paired with effortless long-distance touring, backed by class-above comfort and equipment. Serving as BYD's key contender in the extended-range PHEV arena, its blend of 5th-gen hybrid efficiency, generous EV range, and standard DiSus-C suspension makes it a dominant presence in the mid-size hybrid SUV landscape as it takes the baton from the Song PLUS to anchor the Ocean Series lineup.
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