BYD Sealion 8 DM-i (Dynamic) Review: Bigger Ambitions

Six passengers, three rows and enough personalities on board to start a parliamentary debate. Building a car that keeps everyone happy is no small achievement, yet that's exactly the challenge BYD has taken on with the Sealion 8 DM-i.

Think about it: A typical family outing involves everything, from accommodating grandparents to ensuring the children have sufficient space to avoid elbowing one another. Throw in luggage, shopping bags and the occasional trip across the Causeway, and suddenly your average five-seater begins looking rather… inadequate.

Which explains the appeal of this rather substantial BYD. The Sealion 8 isn't merely about squeezing seven people into one vehicle; it's about making the entire experience comfortable enough that nobody starts campaigning for a second car (have you seen the COE prices lately? Geez...).

And with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, it has another trick up its sleeve: Delivering the convenience of electric motoring without making long-distance travel an exercise in charging-station mathematics.

Size Matters

At 5,040 mm long and almost two metres wide, the Sealion 8 certainly doesn't believe in modest proportions. Its 2,950 mm wheelbase is equally generous, giving BYD plenty of room to work with.

Fortunately, the styling is more sophisticated than intimidating. The sleek lighting, clean bodywork and 20-inch wheels give it a commanding presence without making it look like it's permanently angry with the car ahead.

Step inside and things become even more interesting. The cabin has a genuinely premium atmosphere, with pleasing materials, neat assembly and an overall solidity that suggests BYD has paid attention to more than just the equipment list.

The dashboard is dominated by a 15.6-inch touchscreen, accompanied by a digital instrument display. There's a reassuring sense of quality throughout, while the generously cushioned front seats offer ventilation, particularly useful after leaving the car under Singapore's unforgiving afternoon sun.

Well, it's the sort of cabin that makes you wonder whether some established premium brands should start paying closer attention.

The Inside Story

Now, the important question: Can it comfortably accommodate six people?

Absolutely, provided you understand how best to distribute the occupants. The second row is generously proportioned, with adjustable seating allowing passengers to negotiate legroom with those behind. The panoramic roof also contributes to an airy atmosphere, while air-conditioning provision throughout the cabin is especially welcome in our climate.

The third row is better suited to children or smaller adults. Larger occupants might tolerate shorter journeys, but asking them to endure several hours along the North-South Highway could potentially strain family relations…

For two adults, two teenagers and two younger children, however, the arrangement makes excellent sense.

Then there's the boot. With all seven seats upright, you get 270-litres; enough for groceries and smaller bags, but six large suitcases? That might require some creative packing.

Fold the third row and capacity expands to 960-litres, increasing to a cavernous 1,960-litres with both rear rows folded. It's a useful reminder that a proper family car must occasionally double as a furniture transporter, sports-equipment carrier and emergency moving van.

Technically Speaking

Power comes from BYD's Super DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 19 kWh Blade Battery. Together, they produce 275 bhp and 315 Nm, driving the front wheels through a single-speed transmission.

Despite weighing 2,315 kg, the Sealion 8 completes 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds. Sure, that isn't going to trouble a hot hatchback, but it's more than sufficient for something whose primary responsibility is transporting the family rather than taking ‘em on a wild ride.

What makes the system appealing is its electric-first character. The electric motor provides immediate response at lower speeds, making the Sealion 8 feel reasonably eager when pulling away. The petrol engine subsequently joins proceedings without making a dramatic announcement. It's smooth, progressive and refreshingly civilised.

BYD claims up to 80 km of electric-only range and 900 km of combined WLTP range, with fuel consumption rated at 5.3L/100km (19 km/L). For motorists with access to charging, daily commuting could involve relatively little petrol consumption. The 11 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging capabilities add flexibility.

And when Malaysia beckons, tadaa, there's still a 60-litre petrol tank to fall back on.

Driving It

The Sealion 8 doesn't try to disguise its size, but it wears its considerable weight rather gracefully. Uneven tarmac rarely unsettles it, and once you're cruising along the expressway, there's a pleasing sense of composure that makes you want to keep driving long after everyone else has fallen asleep.

Its double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear arrangement, supported by variable-frequency dampers, are clearly tuned with comfort in mind.

The steering is light, making everyday manoeuvres relatively effortless, although its nearly 2-metre width still deserves respect in older multi-storey car parks.

At expressway speeds, the drivetrain settles into a quiet rhythm. Road and wind noise are reasonably well suppressed, making conversations with passengers further back considerably less challenging. And that's important; nobody wants to shout across three rows just to find out whether junior is doomscrolling on his iPad.

Show the Sealion 8 a series of faster corners, however, and its 2.3-tonne mass becomes more apparent. There's some body movement, and the steering sharpness isn't particularly a core focus. Enthusiastic drivers might wish for greater feedback and a firmer chassis response, but the BYD never pretends to be a sports SUV.

The brakes are another pleasant aspect. The transition between regenerative and conventional braking is progressive, allowing smooth deceleration without that unpleasant grabby sensation sometimes associated with electrified vehicles. It's reassuringly predictable, especially when navigating heavy traffic with a full complement of passengers.

Ultimately, the Sealion 8 feels happiest when driven smoothly rather than hurriedly. And that's precisely how a good family SUV should behave.

That aside, now imagine six occupants, a boot full of luggage and a journey from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. This is where the Sealion 8's plug-in hybrid configuration makes considerable sense - its claimed 900 km combined range provides useful theoretical endurance, although actual results will depend on factors like traffic condition, driving speed, passenger load and battery charge. More importantly, there's no obligation to plan the entire journey around charging stations.

The comfortable seats, settled suspension and quiet cabin should make extended highway journeys less tiring, while the petrol engine provides the flexibility to continue driving when charging isn't convenient. Of course, with six passengers aboard, packing intelligently remains essential. But as an all-round family tourer, the Sealion 8 has the right ingredients.

Against The Competition

The Jaecoo 8 PHEV is an obvious rival, offering 422 bhp, all-wheel drive and considerably stronger performance.

But the BYD has an interesting financial advantage: Annual road tax is approximately S$1,417, against S$4,106 for the Jaecoo. That's S$2,689 saved every year, or S$26,890 over ten years at those rates - enough to fund quite a few family holidays.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offer conventional hybrid alternatives, while Toyota's Noah remains arguably more convenient for families prioritising sliding-door access and maximum passenger practicality.

Nevertheless, the Sealion 8 strikes an appealing balance between SUV presence, cabin quality, comfort and hybrid versatility.

In A Nutshell

Let’s face it: The Sealion 8 isn't perfect. Its third row is better suited to younger occupants, and its substantial dimensions require some consideration in tighter spaces.

But look beyond those compromises and you'll find a remarkably complete family SUV. It's spacious, comfortable, well-built and refined, with a hybrid powertrain that makes equal sense for Singapore's daily commute and longer journeys into Malaysia.

Most importantly, it understands something that many performance-obsessed SUVs occasionally forget: When you're travelling with six people, keeping everyone comfortable is an achievement in itself.

And if the entire family arrives at its destination without a single complaint? That, surely, deserves an award of its own.

Technical Specification - BYD Sealion 8 DM-i (Dynamic)

Power/Torque: 275 bhp/315 Nm (combined)
Battery type/Capacity: BYD LFP Blade Battery/19 kWh
Charging time: 1.3 hours (AC), 50 minutes (DC) - 10 to 80%
Range: 900 km (WLTP)
0-100 km/h: 8.6 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h
Efficiency: 5.3L/100 km
Agent: BYD Cars Singapore

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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