What are the pros and cons of the BYD Song Plus DM-i?

[ElizaLynn]

Here are the pros and cons of the BYD Song Plus DM-i as follows: (1) Pros: 1. The acceleration is very linear with good speed increase, and no sense of jerkiness is felt; 2. The seats are relatively soft with good comfort; 3. The overall interior feels decent and doesn’t appear cheap; 4. The rear seating space is very large with a completely flat floor; 5. Comes with built-in car karaoke and external discharge functions; 6. Front double-layer glass provides excellent noise insulation, and the engine is completely silent. (2) Cons: 1. The chassis suspension tuning is average, which might be the reason for the recently widespread online reports of rear seat resonance; 2. The rear noise insulation is much worse compared to the front, mainly in terms of wind noise and tire noise, possibly related to the use of Giti tires; 3. The trunk space is not large enough, which is not friendly for friends who frequently go on road trips; 4. No spare tire; 5. The price is relatively high.

[DeWeston]

I drove the Song Plus DMi for over half a year, and what satisfied me the most was its super fuel efficiency. For daily commuting, using electric power costs just a few cents per kilometer, and on long trips, the hybrid mode consumes only about 5 liters per 100km, which is half as much as my colleagues' fuel-powered cars. The space is also quite spacious; the back seat can comfortably fit three adults, and the trunk easily accommodates strollers and camping gear. As for drawbacks, the noise on the highway is indeed a bit loud, especially when the engine kicks in, and the infotainment system occasionally lags, particularly when using navigation and music simultaneously. Acceleration feels sluggish when the battery is low, requiring you to step on the gas pedal earlier to overtake. While the interior materials are solid, the design is somewhat conservative, which might not appeal to younger buyers. Overall, it's a great value for family use, but if you prioritize driving refinement, a test drive is recommended to get a feel for it.

[LeCayden]

I'm particularly fond of studying technical specifications, and the Song Plus DM-i's DM-i system is truly impressive. It prioritizes electric drive, with the engine only operating in high-efficiency ranges to generate electricity, achieving a fuel consumption as low as over 4 liters per 100 kilometers. The blade battery boasts high safety, passing nail penetration tests without catching fire, and supports fast charging, going from 30% to 80% in just half an hour. However, the battery's performance drops significantly in cold temperatures, with noticeable range reduction when using the heater in winter. Additionally, the engine noise is relatively loud during rapid acceleration or high-speed cruising, falling short of Toyota's hybrid systems in terms of quietness. The claimed pure electric range is 110 kilometers, but with air conditioning on, it's only about 80 kilometers in reality. The external discharge function is a camping gem, capable of directly powering an induction cooker for hot pot.

[EmersynDella]

From an economic perspective, the Song Plus DM-i is quite cost-effective. The car price is under 200,000 yuan, which is 30,000 to 40,000 yuan cheaper than joint-venture hybrids. For daily commuting, using electricity with a home charger costs only a few dozen yuan per month, saving 500 to 600 yuan compared to gasoline cars. The maintenance cycle is long, with the engine part requiring service only every 15,000 kilometers. The green license plate also exempts you from purchase tax, saving over 10,000 yuan. The main drawback is the resale value, which is about 15% lower than the Toyota RAV4 hybrid after three years. Insurance is also slightly more expensive, costing over 7,000 yuan in the first year. Battery lifespan is a concern; although it comes with a lifetime warranty, replacing the battery costs 30,000 to 40,000 yuan. Tire wear is fast—I had to replace mine after just 20,000 kilometers, with each tire costing over 800 yuan.

[DelElizabeth]

For young people choosing this car, the most attractive feature is its high-tech feel. The rotating large screen resembles a tablet, allowing split-screen operation for TikTok and Honor of Kings, and voice control for the sunroof and air conditioning is pretty cool. The full-width taillights offer super high recognition, with friends saying it looks like a concept car. The L2 driving assistance is very reassuring on highways, with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping both being responsive. However, the infotainment system occasionally acts up, like the navigation suddenly restarting once. The voice assistant often fails to understand dialect commands. It's a bit of a pity that the panoramic sunroof can't be opened, as it gets scorching hot in summer. The wireless charging pad is placed too deep, making it inconvenient to retrieve the phone. The factory sound system is average, with bass not deep enough, and upgrading the audio would require additional spending.

[PeterRose]

After driving the Honda CR-V Hybrid and then trying the Song Plus DM-i, the advantages are quite obvious. The electric motor provides quick starts, always being the first to dash off at traffic lights. Pure electric driving is exceptionally quiet, making traffic jams less frustrating. The features outclass competitors in the same segment, with ventilated and heated seats, as well as a heated steering wheel all included. It's also several ten thousand yuan cheaper. However, the chassis tuning is a weak point, with noticeable bumps over speed bumps and obvious body roll during turns. The high-speed fuel efficiency isn't as good as Japanese models, consuming around 6 liters per 100 km at 120 km/h cruising speed. The brand power is indeed lacking, often being asked if it's a ride-hailing car in business settings. The service at 4S stores is inconsistent, with one instance of waiting three hours for maintenance. It would be perfect if the chassis and noise insulation could be optimized.