Why does the BYD DM-i feel underpowered on highways?

[DeCharles]

BYD DM-i feels underpowered on highways for the following reasons: Insufficient power: Firstly, the Qin DM-i is not suitable for highway driving. That's right, this car struggles significantly on highways. Maintaining a 120 km/h cruise requires keeping the accelerator pedal nearly floored - any slight lift causes the speed to drop below 120. The noise levels are high, and the body feels unstable. The highway driving experience is extremely poor. Maintaining 120 km/h requires constant heavy throttle input - any relaxation causes speed to drop. The noise is loud, and the body lacks stability. The highway experience is exceptionally bad. High fuel consumption: The second issue is that highway fuel consumption is particularly high - note that we say particularly high. This car on highways is a classic case of a small horse pulling a heavy cart - a weak 1.5L naturally aspirated engine without proper gear ratios is trying to pull a nearly 2-ton vehicle.

[DiElijah]

I've driven quite a few BYD DM-i models, and their lack of power on highways is mainly due to the powertrain design. This hybrid system performs smoothly in city driving with strong electric motor output and quick acceleration. However, once reaching highway speeds like 100km/h or above, the engine takes over. It uses an Atkinson cycle engine that prioritizes fuel efficiency over power, resulting in insufficient output for overtaking or climbing slopes. The electric motor can't assist much at this point because battery discharge is limited, as the system is optimized for fuel economy rather than sporty performance. Weight is also an issue, as the battery adds extra burden affecting acceleration response. For long-distance driving, it's recommended to switch to sport mode or accelerate in advance to avoid sudden pulls.

[DiTravis]

As a frequent highway driver, I've noticed that the BYD DM-i feels underpowered at high speeds. While it's fuel-efficient and quiet in city driving with the electric motor providing ample power, the engine alone lacks sufficient punch once speed increases. This may be due to the lack of multi-speed transmission resulting in lower efficiency, with the engine running at consistently high RPMs causing noticeable noise and struggling during climbs. The system is clearly tuned for energy efficiency rather than high performance. The added weight affects aerodynamics and power consumption, and there's noticeable engine response lag during high-speed acceleration when passing is needed. I recommend leaving ample space before overtaking and switching to manual mode to enhance driving dynamics.

[Grady]

BYD DM-i's lack of power at high speeds stems from its design philosophy. This hybrid system is optimized for urban congestion with a small, fuel-efficient engine primarily driving the electric motor, resulting in less responsive switching at high speeds. Increased weight, greater air resistance, low engine-only driving power, insufficient torque, acceleration lag, and inadequate power matching contribute to the issue. The optimization focus is on fuel consumption rather than performance, weakening the hybrid advantage in high-speed scenarios. It is recommended to adjust usage scenarios accordingly.

[RafaelAnn]

From my high-speed travel experience, DM-i's lack of power is often due to road conditions and vehicle weight. The battery installation increases body weight and wind resistance at high speeds, limiting engine output – especially on slopes or under heavy loads. The motor assistance is weak as the system is economically tuned, making rapid acceleration difficult with noticeable high-RPM engine noise. This becomes more evident during slippery roads or headwinds. Solutions include using power mode, anticipating driving conditions in advance, maintaining steady speed, and avoiding sudden lane changes.

[EmersynMarie]

Having driven both the BYD DM-i and conventional fuel-powered cars, the lack of power on highways is noticeable. The hybrid advantage is obvious in the city, but on highways, the small and weak engine takes over while the motor steps back, and the battery can't offer much help. Without a complex transmission, climbing hills and accelerating are strenuous, with increased weight leading to higher fuel consumption but reduced performance. The solution is to manually switch modes or maintain a charged state. If you frequently drive on highways, consider models with turbocharged engines. The DM-i is suitable for fuel-saving commutes without the pursuit of high-speed sprints.