BYD's 'game-changing' $27,000 PHEV SUV stuns South Korean market

The 2026 Busan Mobility Show buzzed with excitement as BYD Korea unveiled its new plug-in hybrid SUV, the Sealant 6 DM-i, with a price tag of 37.5 million won. The announcement drew gasps and murmurs of surprise from journalists and even representatives from competing car brands, who were taken aback by the aggressive pricing for a mid-size PHEV SUV.

BYD Korea is launching the Sealant 6 DM-i, its first hybrid model in the South Korean market, signaling a significant expansion of its electrification strategy beyond pure electric vehicles. The company views this move as a strategic way to bridge the gap for consumers who are still hesitant about fully committing to electric cars.

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While electric cars have successfully established themselves in the Korean market, it's true that some customers still feel hesitant. We brought the DM-i to Korea to lower that burden and allow more consumers to experience electrification.

"While electric cars have successfully established themselves in the Korean market, it's true that some customers still feel hesitant," said Cho In-cheol, BYD Korea's Head of Passenger Vehicle Division. "We brought the DM-i to Korea to lower that burden and allow more consumers to experience electrification." He emphasized that both plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles fall under the umbrella of electrification, with PHEVs serving as a crucial "stepping stone" towards a fully electric future.

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Both plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles fall under the umbrella of electrification. As it takes time to move towards full electrification, we believe PHEVs can serve as a sufficient stepping stone.

The Sealant 6 DM-i distinguishes itself with BYD's proprietary "DM-i (Dual Mode-intelligent)" hybrid system. Unlike traditional hybrids where the engine is the primary power source, this system heavily relies on the electric motor for propulsion, with the engine primarily acting as a generator to enhance efficiency. Cho stated that the DM-i system offers a much higher proportion of electric driving compared to other PHEVs, providing a driving experience "close to that of an electric car."

Equipped with an 18.3 kWh LFP Blade battery, the Sealant 6 DM-i can travel up to 70 km on electric power alone. It combines a 204-horsepower electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine. The vehicle also supports 18kW DC fast charging and V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality. Enhancements include a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 15.6-inch display, OTA updates, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 360-degree surround view system, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard. Its safety has also been recognized with a top rating from Euro NCAP. BYD has a strong track record in hybrid technology, having sold over 8 million PHEVs globally since 2008, with the Sealant 6 DM-i being one of its flagship SUVs, having sold over 1.1 million units worldwide.

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DM-i has a much higher proportion of electric driving than other plug-in hybrids. The actual driving experience is close to that of an electric car.