Ever wanted to stray away from your typical diesel-powered PPVs? Enter the BYD Tang DM-i.
Yes. I know it isn’t really a direct comparison, and that certainly holds true; however, in terms of configuration and “space,” the value and target market might be a lot closer than you think.
Now, diesel-powered PPVs have long been market leaders for those seeking space, fuel efficiency, and utility. Of course, with some looking for off-road chops. They have proven to be a hit with Filipino families and have always held good resale value, at least for established brands in the market.
Before you get your hopes up, no—the BYD Tang DM-i is not an off-roader, nor does it have four-wheel drive. The higher-end Tang EV may be AWD, but it’s far from being an off-roader either—and the DM-i variant? Well, it only comes in FWD guise.
Let’s be real, though. How many in the general population actually use their 4×4 system or even their differential lockers? Probably 10 percent at most? I’m actually being generous with that number.
Ok, let’s head to the similarities. The Tang DM-i has seven seats. It’s a check mark there. Space? A lot more. Size and proportions? It’s long and has road presence. Fuel efficiency? A resounding yes, and a lot better than your run-of-the-mill diesel-powered PPVs.
See the pattern here?
Related: Video: 2026 BYD Tang DM-i – Review
Exterior
Alright. Enough is enough; let’s get right into it.
I’ve long been a fan of the styling of the Tang DM-i. So much so that when BYD Philippines delivered this electrified crossover to my house, I just took a good look at it for about 5 minutes before I went inside to drive it.
The front is striking, yet elegant. I actually prefer it to the full-fat Tang EV because it adds an actual grille that looks large and imposing. It really does give it more road presence. The quad-projector LED lights also add to that elegantly striking look, which stands out even more at night. It’s almost like looking at glistening jewels in a jewelry store. It’s mesmerizing.
Despite the black accents found throughout this particular Tang DM-i press unit, its overall dimensions and length still make this car more elegant than sporty. That said, I prefer the version of the Tang DM-i with the two-tone diamond-cut wheels to this particular unit with the blacked-out alloy wheels, since the two-tone wheels stand out more and give it even more presence. The good news is that you can choose, so it’s really up to you whether you want blacked-out accents or chrome accents.
Contributing to its presence and appearance is the side profile, which showcases the floating-roof effect and large windows that add even more depth to the look. It’s a long vehicle, and that’s even more apparent when walking around.
The rear has a uniquely designed LED lightbar, and I’m happy they changed the lighting pattern on the Tang DM-i compared to the Tang EV to differentiate the two. It’s an added detail that BYD didn’t have to do, yet they did. Other than that, the rear is quite simple, with a large, rounded design.
In terms of negatives for the design, I have nothing to say. But if you really want to pry, it’s the lack of a Brembo caliper behind the 20-inch wheels, which is reserved for the Tang EV with 22-inch wheels instead. We’re really nitpicking at this point. Though if they did add that Brembo caliper, this crossover would stand out even more.
Interior and Technology
The elegant design cues continue inside the Tang DM-i, with a two-tone black-and-cream interior. It’s a sort of off-white look that leans towards the tan side, and the black tones it down a bit. It’s a great design that adds airiness and serenity, especially with the moonroof uncovered. Material choices throughout the cabin are also top-notch, though the piano-black plastics may need some care down the line.
Seats are comfortable, supportive, and well-padded. It will hold you in place when you take a corner, which you will need when driving this car dynamically, but it is extremely comfortable, which makes long journeys infinitely easier. Add heated and ventilated seats to the mix, and you have a recipe for a perfect road-trip vehicle.
Passengers will also be happy to be seated at the back, with plenty of leg, knee, and foot room. You can really stretch your legs out and relax, though the rear seats could have had the same level of cushioning as the front to make it perfect.
Cargo space is huge, with 940 liters with the third row folded and up to 1655 liters with the second row stowed. Should you find yourself with six or seven passengers, you still get a respectable 235 liters of cargo space for a couple of backpacks. One thing is for sure: space is king in the Tang DM-i, and you can fit anything you can think of, minus an airplane. However, third-row seating space isn’t exactly the best, but the same can also be said for other seven-seater SUVs and crossovers in the market. As I always say, if you often have to seat seven people, a van is your best choice. Maybe the BYD eMax 9 tickles your fancy?
This being a BYD, technology is present, though at times maybe a bit too present. As usual with Chinese vehicles, nearly every facet of the vehicle has to be routed through the large 15.6-inch infotainment system. Want to adjust the aircon fan speed? Either you have to swipe with three fingers across the screen, or go to the AC menus, which exits you from your wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To go back, it’s another two-step process through the screen.
The touch-sensitive controls for the panoramic moonroof can also be a problem. While I had the Tang DM-i, I usually had to touch it multiple times just to find the right timing to get the cover off completely. What I’m trying to say here is that these things shouldn’t require a learning curve for simple tasks.
The 12.3-inch instrument cluster, however, is smooth, clear, and relatively easy to navigate. All essential information can easily be found through a couple of scrolls of your steering wheel, and BYD still left some analog switches and dials for your drive mode selector and volume control, so that’s good.
Driving and Performance
Starting with the figures. You have 267 hp (271 ps) and 315 Nm of torque. A pure electric range of 110 km and a total combined range of 1160 km. Oh, and it just has a 53L fuel tank, which is considerably smaller than your average diesel PPVs.
How does it achieve those numbers? Well, under the hood of the Tang DM-i, you get a 1.5-liter Turbo High-Efficiency Generator. Yes, it’s a generator, and does not in any way power the wheels. It charges the battery, which in turn powers the electric motors in the front axle. Battery capacity is rated at a rather large 21.5 kWh. All this makes BYD’s DM-i technology very special, as it delivers an electric-first driving experience that is serene and relaxing, whether you are puttering around town or going on a long road trip.
In short, it’s electric where you want it and gas when you need it. Absolutely no range anxiety here. Power and torque are available nearly all the time, and if you take advantage of a wallbox charger at home, the savings can be absolutely massive, especially when you are just traversing around the city, where 110km of pure EV range is more than enough. Leave home with a full battery, charge when you get back, and that’s the cycle.
Though we did find that power and performance are much better when left to its own devices in HEV mode during longer trips, since the engine kicks in during full-throttle applications.
For such a large and heavy SUV, the Tang DM-i corners relatively well with European driving dynamics and feel. Of course, physics is still king, and the Giti tires can suddenly cry for help. Though I can just imagine putting Michelin Pilot Sport SUVs on this thing.
Steering feel is a bit vague, but honestly, not an issue, since it contributes to a more relaxing driving experience, which the Tang DM-i is made for anyway. That said, at least it has athletic chops when you want it. It’s very well-engineered.
As for comfort, it’s well-damped, though at first we found the ride to be a little rough. Thankfully, we just found out that the tires were overinflated, and the ride quality has been rectified.
Verdict
The BYD Tang DM-i exceeded all my expectations. It looks good, feels good, and drives well. It’s well-engineered and thought out, so you can really feel it through every facet of the vehicle.
It’s a vehicle you would want to drive every day, and at a competitive price of P2,098,000, it’s definitely worth the money and undercuts diesel PPVs. I actually want one.
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