BYD eMAX 9 Redefines Luxury With Hybrid Innovation

BYD eMAX 9 Redefines Luxury With Hybrid Innovation

Design and Comfort: Where Practicality Meets Prestige

The BYD eMAX 9 DM-i is not just another MPV—it’s a statement. At first glance, the Dragon Face design language immediately sets it apart. The bold grille, signature LED lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels give it a commanding presence. It’s the kind of vehicle that looks equally at home pulling up to a five-star hotel or navigating a weekend family road trip. BYD eMAX 9 Redefines Luxury With Hybrid Innovation.

Step inside, and the attention to detail becomes even clearer. The seven-seat cabin is available in two trims: Premium and Advanced. The Premium variant spoils passengers with ventilated and massage-capable captain’s chairs, while the Advanced model offers plush, manually adjustable seating. Both are wrapped in premium leather—Beige and Brown for the Premium, Black for the Advanced—accented by ambient lighting that creates a refined atmosphere.

The Tri-Zone Cooling System is a thoughtful touch. Everyone gets to set their own comfort level, which means no more backseat negotiations about whether the aircon is too cold or too warm. Add in a built-in refrigerator for chilled drinks and a hands-free side door and tailgate, and you start to see how BYD designed this MPV with real families in mind.

Entertainment is equally premium. The 15.6-inch infotainment system paired with a 12-speaker sound system in the Premium model ensures that long drives feel less like a chore and more like a private concert. The Advanced trim still delivers with an 8-speaker setup, proving that even the “entry” model doesn’t skimp on quality.

Power and Performance: Super DM-i at the Core

Under the hood—or more accurately, under the floor and bonnet—the eMAX 9 DM-i is powered by BYD’s Super DM-i Technology. This system pairs a high-power electric motor with a 1.5-liter turbocharged generator, producing a combined 271 PS and 315 Nm of torque. The result? A surprisingly quick 0–100 km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds. For a mid-size MPV, that’s impressive.

But raw numbers only tell part of the story. What makes this system special is its efficiency and flexibility. The Premium variant comes with a 36.6 kWh battery, good for up to 170 km of pure-electric driving. The Advanced model carries a 20.4 kWh battery, offering 95 km of EV range. Pair either with the generator, and you’re looking at a combined range of up to 1,000 km (Premium) and 945 km (Advanced).

To put that into perspective, the eMAX 9 DM-i recently completed an AAP-certified efficiency run across Northern Luzon. Starting in Pasay, the Premium variant traveled through Tuguegarao, reached Laoag, and returned via La Union—all on a single tank and full charge. The total distance? 1,261.2 km. That’s not just meeting expectations—it’s exceeding them.

For Filipino families who often face long provincial drives, this kind of range is a game-changer. It means fewer stops, less stress, and more confidence on the road.

Charging and V2L: Power Beyond the Road

Charging the eMAX 9 DM-i is refreshingly straightforward. With support for 7 kW AC charging and 73 kW DC fast charging, you can adapt to your schedule. The Advanced variant charges fully in about 3 hours on AC, while the Premium takes 5 hours. If you’re in a rush, DC fast charging gets you from 30% to 80% in under 20 minutes.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology. This feature allows the eMAX 9 DM-i to act as a mobile power station. Need to run a coffee maker during a road trip? Done. Power a laptop or even small appliances during a brownout? No problem. For outdoor enthusiasts or families who love camping, this is more than a gimmick—it’s practical innovation.

Safety and Driver Assistance: Confidence in Every Drive

Luxury means nothing without safety, and BYD has packed the eMAX 9 DM-i with intelligent protection systems. The Premium variant features DiSus-C suspension, which electronically adjusts dampers for smoother rides across varied road conditions.

Then there’s DiPilot, BYD’s advanced driver assistance suite. It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, and lane keeping assist. Add a 360-degree panoramic camera and rear cross-traffic alert, and you’ve got a vehicle that actively helps you avoid trouble.

Eight airbags provide comprehensive protection, ensuring that every passenger is safeguarded. For families, this level of safety is not just reassuring—it’s essential.

My Take: Why the eMAX 9 Matters

I’ve reviewed plenty of MPVs, and many of them fall into the same trap: they either focus too much on luxury and forget practicality, or they emphasize efficiency at the cost of comfort. The BYD eMAX 9 DM-i manages to balance both.

What impresses me most is the Super DM-i system. It’s not just about going electric—it’s about making electrification practical for the Philippine context. Charging infrastructure is still developing here, and BYD’s hybrid approach bridges that gap. You get the thrill of electric driving without the anxiety of running out of charge on a long trip.

The V2L feature is another standout. I can see this being incredibly useful for Filipino households, especially in a country where power interruptions are not uncommon. Imagine being able to keep essential devices running during an outage, powered by your car. That’s not just convenience—it’s peace of mind.

For readers, the benefit is clear. The eMAX 9 DM-i offers luxury, range, and safety in one package. It’s not just about owning a car—it’s about owning a tool that adapts to your lifestyle, whether that’s daily commutes, long family road trips, or even emergency situations.

And let’s not forget the humor in all this: a built-in refrigerator in an MPV? That’s the kind of feature that makes you wonder how you ever lived without it. Cold drinks on a hot day, without stopping at a convenience store? That’s luxury I can get behind.

Pricing and Warranty: Long-Term Confidence

The Advanced variant is priced at ₱2,678,000, while the Premium model retails at ₱2,998,000. Both are available in Cosmos Black, Deep Sea Blue, and Aurora White.

Backing it all up is BYD’s comprehensive warranty:

• 8 years or 160,000 km for the Blade Battery
• 8 years or 160,000 km for the drive unit
• 6 years or 150,000 km for the vehicle itself

That’s long-term confidence built into the ownership experience.

For more information on the existing vehicle lineup of BYD Cars Philippines, visit www.bydcarsphilippines.com.