Despite being designed under the guidance of Wolfgang Egger (the man behind the body of such masterpieces like Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione, Seat’s Ibiza, and the Audi e-tron Spyder, among others), the Sealion 5 looks just like every other compact crossover. And this isn’t a knock on one of BYD’s most popular PHEVs. Let me explain why.

The plain appearance of the Sealion 5 is actually one of the reasons why it has been so widely accepted. It doesn’t look intimidating and isn’t even as sleek as some of it less-endowed rivals in the segment. Yet, underneath that sheet metal is something that used to put off Filipino buyers because of the complexity but is the main reason it can give you more miles: plug-in hybrid technology.

But don’t get me wrong. The Sealion 5 still packs some nifty design cues and modern gear to give it on-road presence. Its well-placed body lines give its exterior a distinct look, the LED headlamps provide better visibility, and daytime running lamps, rear fog lamps, and sequential turn signals add character to its stance. It also has roof rails for added functionality and stylish 18-inch wheels.

After the complete walk-around, the Sealion 5’s body isn’t something you’ll call home about, but some standout features are worth mentioning. I like its 156-mm ground clearance which will keep you clear of shallow puddles and odd-shaped humps, the classy silver pieces on the fin on the C-pillar, the rocker panel, front/rear bumper garnish, and the textured grille topped with the panel bearing the logo that makes it easily recognizable.

Got the key? It’s a smart one, so pressing the button on the handle unlocks the Sealion 5. The door opens up to a compact cabin that is neatly packed with more luxury than you’d expect from a P1.268 million compact crossover. I paid more than that for my hybrid and I don’t have the leather seats, wireless Apple CarPlay, automatic dual-zone climate control, rear vents, and a reverse camera. Perhaps one of its most advanced cabin features (which my car also doesn’t have) is the NFC key-card system that lets users lock/unlock and start the vehicle if they have the BYD-issued-and-programmed NFC key card.

The leather multi-function steering wheel cheekily matches the two-tone cabin – light at the bottom, dark on top. The dashboard has a padded top followed by a wide piano-black trim below that holds the 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster and the 10.1-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen. Between the two front seats is a wide console with the ergonomic gear shifter, including buttons and levers for the drive mode and various other vehicle functions. Below it are the USB ports.

I wish the air vents were slimmer, the seats larger (it felt too snug for me), and designers could also have picked a darker shade for the upholstery so the seats don’t stain easily. Charging won’t be a problem for second-row passengers with two USB ports at the rear, and their drinks can sit in the cupholders of the drop-down center armrest. The storage area can accommodate large suitcases without the tonneau cover.

BYD claims the Sealion 5 has a 1,000-kilometer range (on a full tank and full charge). I’m not contesting that. I received the unit with a full charge and a full tank, and after travelling close to 100 kilometers, it had barely used up any fuel. After seven days, it returned an impressive 21.5 kilometers per liter, and I was driving at the limit each time.

This is possible because of BYD’s DM-i technology, a combination of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, a 145-kW front-mounted traction motor, and a 12.96-kWh battery. Together, they make 197-PS and 300-Nm of torque, which is pretty spritely from a standstill and feels light at high speeds. It is naturally smooth and quiet during full EV operation, but there is some engine noise and vibration when the engine kicks in when the battery hits around 30%, which is surprising because it sports a four-cylinder, not a three-cylinder engine. I expect better sound and vibration dampening in an update or the second-gen model.

BYD makes the transition to a PHEV very simple and easy even for the tech-averse buyers. The supplied wall-mounted charger (granted that you install a charger at home) gets the vehicle from 15% to 100% in about five hours. Even the portable charger on a typical household outlet gets it from 15% to 100% in seven hours. Note that it does not come with a spare tire for weight reduction, so learn how to use a tire repair kit. If you want more (fuel savings, range, and creature comforts), getting the 2025 Sealion 5 DM-i seems like a no-brainer.