The BYD Song L DM-i is a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV from BYD's Dynasty line-up. Positioned as a "mid-size coupe SUV", it emphasises exceptional fuel efficiency, extended range, and intelligent technology, targeting young modern families seeking a premium mobility experience. First launched on 25 July 2024, the model debuted with BYD's fifth-generation DM hybrid technology, quickly establishing itself as a segment frontrunner thanks to its competitive pricing and robust product package. On 23 October 2025, the 2026 BYD Song L DM-i was officially rolled out with substantial upgrades to its electric range and equipment list, offering three variants priced between RM139,800 and RM156,800. Heading into early 2026, the 2026 iteration remains on sale alongside its refreshed stablemate, the BYD Song Pro DM-i. Through a well-calculated tiered pricing strategy, both models have effectively cemented the BYD Song family's dominance in the RM100,000 to RM150,000 hybrid SUV segment.
The BYD Song L DM-i embraces the Dynasty series' signature "Dragon Face" design philosophy, blending traditional oriental aesthetics with contemporary automotive styling. Up front, it sports a bold hexagonal dot-matrix grille flanked by matrix LED headlights connected via a sleek full-width gloss-black brow bearing the illuminated "Song" insignia, complemented by a sculpted three-section lower intake for a grounded, athletic stance. Down the sides, a sleek fastback silhouette is accentuated by crisp shoulder creases and 19-inch aerodynamic dragon-scale alloy wheels. Notably, the 2026 model replaces the previous flush pop-out door handles with semi-recessed units, effectively reducing drag while eliminating freezing issues in sub-zero climates for better everyday usability. At the rear, the full-width LED taillight cluster incorporates a distinctive spiral-weave lighting signature for high nighttime recognisability, sitting above a rear diffuser finished in gloss black with subtle chrome garnishes. The 2026 update introduces two new exterior shades—Guan Kiln Grey and Galaxy Beige—alongside existing favourites such as Ice Amber Cyan, Jade White, and Obsidian Black.
In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,780 mm in length, 1,898 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, riding on a generous 2,782 mm wheelbase. Thanks to its wide-body profile and extended wheelbase, rear legroom is exceptionally roomy, further enhanced by recline-adjustable rear backrests and a completely flat rear floor for optimal centre-passenger comfort. Boot space stands at 680 litres in its standard configuration, expanding to 1,550 litres with the rear seats folded flat to easily swallow bulky cargo and camping equipment. Inside, the 2026 BYD Song L DM-i features an inviting wraparound cockpit. A steering column-mounted electronic gear shifter replaces the conventional centre console lever, freeing up valuable storage space for a cleaner, more practical layout. Standard across all trims are a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch rotatable floating central touchscreen. Interior themes include Jinsha Pottery and Muyun Grey, with range-topping variants boasting soft-touch leatherette trimmings, 127-colour 3D depth ambient lighting, and satin metallic accents that deliver an upscale, high-tech ambience.
Under the skin, the BYD Song L DM-i is powered across the range by BYD's fifth-generation DM Super Hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The BYD472QC engine operates on the Atkinson cycle to produce 74 kW (approx. 101 PS) and 126 Nm of torque, achieving a benchmark thermal efficiency of 46.06%—one of the highest figures for any mass-produced combustion engine today. The front drive motor delivers 160 kW (approx. 218 PS) and 260 Nm of torque through an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). The SUV completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h, offering a smooth, linear power delivery tailored for effortless city driving and relaxed highway cruising.
Energy storage comes courtesy of BYD's proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery, available in 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh capacities, delivering pure electric ranges of 130 km and 200 km respectively under CLTC testing. With a full tank and full charge, the combined cruising range reaches up to 1,630 km, completely eradicating range anxiety. For 2026, BYD streamlined its powertrain portfolio by axing the previous 75 km and 112 km entry variants, elevating the baseline pure EV range to 130 km, while the flagship variant pushes out to 200 km, dramatically cutting down on daily charging frequency for commuters. In terms of fuel economy, the depleted-battery fuel consumption under NEDC testing is rated at just 3.4 L/100 km, setting a new efficiency benchmark for mid-size SUVs and yielding an operating cost of roughly RM0.26 per kilometre—nearly half that of equivalent petrol-powered rivals. For charging convenience, 54 kW DC fast charging allows a 30% to 80% top-up in approximately 17 minutes, while a 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse-charging function comes standard for powering outdoor appliances and campsite gear.
Underpinnings-wise, the BYD Song L DM-i adopts an all-independent suspension setup comprising front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link configuration, representing an upscale specification within the RM150,000 hybrid SUV bracket. Compared to a torsion beam setup, the rear multi-link design provides superior bump absorption and more stable rear-wheel tracking over uneven surfaces, striking a well-judged balance between ride comfort and handling composure. The headline chassis upgrade for the 2026 model year is the addition of the DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System as standard across the range, making it the only model in the RM130,000 segment to feature adaptive damping on every trim. DiSus-C processes real-time road data via onboard sensors to adjust damper firmness within 0.02 seconds, effectively ironing out road chatter while mitigating nose-lift under hard acceleration and brake dive during emergency stops.
On the safety and stability front, all variants come standard with the TBC High-Speed Tyre Blowout Stability Control System. Operating at speeds of up to 140 km/h, the system steps in instantaneously during a blowout via 3D multi-axis torque and brake management, restricting vehicle yaw deviation to within 75 cm while managing pitch movement to prevent loss of control. The steering uses an electric power assistance setup, while braking is handled by front ventilated discs and rear solid discs with an electronic parking brake (EPB). Chassis tuning leans distinctly towards ride comfort, featuring plush initial damping with progressively firmer mid-stroke support to maintain good body control during cornering.
The 2026 BYD Song L DM-i runs on the upgraded DiLink 100 Smart Cockpit system, supported by an integrated 5G module, continuous multi-zone AI voice control, GPS navigation, connected services, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The infotainment software incorporates the DeepSeek AI model and gains seamless smartphone mirroring and navigation handoff for major smartphone ecosystems such as Huawei and Xiaomi. The system also bundles family-centric lifestyle features including built-in karaoke, educational games, and smart anti-motion-sickness modes. Flagship variants gain a 26-inch W-HUD head-up display that projects crucial speed, navigation, and ADAS data directly onto the windscreen, minimising driver distraction.
Cabin comfort has also been thoroughly refreshed. The shift to a column-mounted gear stalk frees up the centre console for a 50W wireless fast-charging pad and dual cupholders. The mid-spec 200KM Chaoyue variant adds driver seat memory, relaxation mode, and dynamic welcome lighting; the range-topping 200KM Zhuoyue adds front seat massage, a 10-speaker Infinity premium sound system, an integrated smart onboard refrigerator (-6°C to 50°C dual-temp control), and dynamic 127-colour ambient lighting. The front seats feature heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the 60:40 split-folding rear seats offer adjustable recline angles to adapt to various passenger and cargo needs.
In terms of active safety, the BYD Song L DM-i is comprehensively equipped with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Standard across all trims is the DiPilot 100 "God's Eye C" Tri-focal Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), driven by a sensor array of 12 ultrasonic sensors, 12 cameras, and 5 millimetre-wave radars—totalling 29 perception hardware units. The suite supports Highway Navigation Assist (NOA) with automated lane changes, ramp entry/exit navigation, and active obstacle avoidance; parking assistance includes remote-control parking, tight-spot auto-parking, and walk-away park-in; and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) operates effectively to bring the car to a full stop from speeds of up to 100 km/h. Signature blue indicator lights are integrated into the rear light clusters, illuminating whenever the smart driving system is engaged to notify trailing traffic.
Passive safety is anchored by a high-rigidity steel cage safety cell, complemented by front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags as standard. Built to meet stringent C-NCAP five-star crash test benchmarks, the structural crash-absorption paths work in tandem with the Blade battery—which has passed rigorous nail penetration, overcharge, and thermal runaway tests—to provide all-round occupant and battery protection.
Since its market entry in July 2024, the BYD Song L DM-i has rapidly grown into a core sales pillar for BYD's Dynasty network. In the first half of 2025, cumulative sales reached 70,520 units, firmly placing it among the top contenders in the mid-size SUV segment. Total deliveries for 2025 stood at 137,120 units, averaging over 11,000 units monthly and peaking in December 2025 at 13,246 units. This strong momentum carried into 2026, with the updated model recording 13,294 units from January to March 2026, including 5,581 units in March alone.
Owner Feedback: Owners and automotive journalists have widely praised the BYD Song L DM-i for its overall execution. Key highlights include the fifth-generation DM powertrain, which delivers an impressive 3.4 L/100 km depleted-battery consumption and over 1,600 km of combined range, effectively eliminating the high running costs associated with traditional petrol SUVs. The 2,782 mm wheelbase creates a commodious cabin that converts into a flat double bed for road trips, while the segment-first inclusion of DiSus-C adaptive suspension as standard delivers ride refinement unmatched by most rivals at this price point. Furthermore, having the full DiPilot 100 ADAS suite standard across all trims ensures buyers do not have to compromise on safety. On the flip side, criticisms mainly point to audible engine NVH entering the cabin when the petrol motor kicks in to recharge under heavy highway loads with a depleted battery, breaking the cabin's EV-like serenity. A handful of users have also noted minor connectivity hiccups during over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Industry Verdict: Automotive industry analysts have commended the 2026 BYD Song L DM-i's product repositioning: by eliminating the sub-100 km battery options and setting a 130 km baseline with a 200 km flagship, BYD has directly addressed urban commuters' desire for pure electric, zero-fuel weekday travel without inflating retail prices. In a crowded field that includes competitors like the Deepal S7, Leapmotor C11, and Galaxy L7, the BYD Song L DM-i continues to set the benchmark in the mid-size PHEV SUV arena by leveraging BYD's strong brand equity, proven fifth-generation DM technology, class-above standard kit like DiSus-C and DiPilot 100, and an accessible price point of RM139,800 to RM156,800.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
Help us improve our website
