2026 BYD Tang DM-i Review: Asia’s Hybrid SUV That Wants to Redraw the Rulebook

The 2026 BYD Tang DM-i arrives to upset Asia’s 7-seater SUV game with its hybrid technology, 110 km EV range, luxury interior, and long-distance drivability. Read our complete in-depth review with insights, pros & cons, and pricing.

The Story Begins: From Obscurity to Dominance

Ten years earlier, if you had asked a Manila, Jakarta, or Delhi neighbor about BYD, they would have likely taken a guess that it was a new detergent brand. At the time, the auto universe was still filled with Japanese workhorses, German luxury badges, and Korean all-rounders. Chinese automobiles? Most would have laughed them away.

But behind the scenes, BYD was building something greater than a car. They were building a shift in thinking—demonstrating that China not only could manufacture affordable cars, but superior hybrids and EVs.

The BYD Tang was part of that revolution. First introduced in 2015, the Tang started out as an ambitious SUV hybrid, but over the years it morphed into something far more refined. Now, in 2026, the Tang DM-i arrives as a bold statement: we’re not here to play catch-up anymore—we’re here to lead.

It’s not merely another 7-seater hybrid SUV. It’s BYD’s most refined family car to date, trying to steal the hearts of Asian families who’ve been brought up faithful to Fortuners, Santa Fes, and CR-Vs. The question: can the Tang DM-i really do them in?

A Cabin That Feels More Boutique Hotel Than Budget SUV

If there’s one place where the Tang DM-i surprises, it’s on the inside. The days of plasticky, rattly Chinese cabins are long gone. Slide into the Tang’s driver’s seat, and it feels like stepping into a modern boutique hotel lobby—clean, airy, and distinctly premium.

BYD has spent a lot of money on materials. Surfaces are tactile with stitched leather on the dashboard, comfortable upholstery, and accents that feel deliberate, not slapped on.

At the center is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen—flipping between portrait and landscape like it’s trying out for a gadget commercial. It comes with a crisp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing you with more data than you ever needed but making you feel like an airplane pilot anyway.

The front seats are ventilated, heated, and powered, which means whether you’re crawling in Manila’s EDSA traffic or breezing along Bangkok’s expressways, comfort is a given. The second row offers lounge-like space for adults, while the third row—well, let’s just say it’s more “weekend getaway with kids” than “cross-country with six adults.”

A panoramic sunroof douses the cabin with light, and a 12-speaker Dynaudio audio system transforms your playlists into solo concerts. Ambient lighting puts it over the top—yeah, it’s a gimmick, but on a late-night drive through the city, it makes the Tang feel like a roving VIP room.

Powertrain: A Hybrid That Makes Sense

Many hybrids say they save fuel. The Tang DM-i actually does.

Under the bonnet, BYD combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with their Super DM-i plug-in hybrid system, supported by the legendary Blade Battery. The result is a combined output of approximately 271 PS and 315 Nm of torque.

What does that translate to in the real world? The Tang is fast enough to accelerate to 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, remarkable for a 7-seater that tips the scales over two tons. But acceleration isn’t the Tang’s ace up its sleeve. Range is.

In pure electric propulsion mode, you can drive up to 110 km—more than sufficient for the daily office-school-grocery round trip in most Asian metropolises.

Add the petrol generator, and you’re looking at a whopping 1,160 km combined range. That’s driving from Manila to Laoag, or Mumbai to Jaipur, without having to refuel.

The ride itself is smooth, quiet, and calm. Unlike diesels that come to life with a growl or petrol SUVs that guzzle gas when pushed to its limits, the Tang cruises—reassuring you that hybrids need no longer be compromises.

Safety: Tech That Looks Out For You

Driving in Asia can be like having your own live-action video game experience—motorcycles darting in and out, buses halting wherever they want, pedestrians crossing as if they have multiple lives. The Tang DM-i does not take away road chaos, but it certainly adds a safety net for you.

It comes equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), such as:

Adaptive Cruise Control for hassle-free long journeys

Lane Keep Assist to steer you back on track

Blind Spot Monitoring for that unexpected scooter

Autonomous Emergency Braking to prevent late-appearing collisions

A 360-degree camera system making parking in busy malls a less sweaty-palmed experience

And naturally, BYD’s Blade Battery—famous around the globe for its safety profile—provides reassurance that your hybrid isn’t a ticking fire bomb.

Capabilities: Designed For Families Who Do It All

The Tang DM-i is not an off-road brute. It will not take a Land Cruiser up a boulder-strewn mountain trail. Nor does it have to.

With 182 mm of clearance, it navigates coarse provincial highways, monsoon-season floods, and the nightmare speed bumps of Asian subdivision roads with ease.

Fold down the third row, and you have access to a cargo space that accommodates anything from balikbayan boxes to camping equipment. And talk about camping—the Tang’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature allows you to connect anything from a rice cooker to a karaoke machine. Because let’s be real—what’s a Filipino or Thai road trip without food and karaoke?

Pricing and Availability

In the Philippines, the Tang DM-i costs about PHP 2.1 million. That puts it well below a lot of European SUVs with fewer toys, but above diesel stalwarts such as the Fortuner. In places such as India or Thailand, it will cost depending on duties, but should firmly be in the premium mid-size SUV category.

The huge plus? BYD is actively expanding its dealership network throughout Asia, so purchasing one is no longer a logistical ordeal.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved:

Stretchy EV-only range (110 km)

Huge 1,160 km combined range

Luxurious interior with touches of opulence

Loaded with safety and driver aids

V2L feature provides lifestyle flexibility

What Could Be Better:

Third row is tight for adults

Steep curb weight detracts from agility

DC fast charging with 40 kW cap—slower than most EVs

BYD still faces brand perception challenges in certain Asian markets

Ultimate Verdict: Should You Bet on the Tang?

The 2026 BYD Tang DM-i is not merely another SUV—it’s a statement that hybrids can be desirable, not only frugal. It combines style, technology, safety, and practicality in a package that seems specifically designed for Asian families who desire more than the “point A to point B” car.

It’s not flawless. If you require a genuinely roomy third row, or if you depend on lightning-fast charging, you may want to consider something else. But for the overwhelming majority of families, the Tang DM-i ticks more boxes than it leaves blank.

It’s an SUV that doesn’t merely transport you. It redefines the hybrid game in all of Asia.