BYD Tang

The inside of the Tang is just as impressive. The cabin is completely wrapped in luxurious chocolate-colored leather and brushed steel with charcoal-gray wood accents. It includes a variety of premium features with the most noticeable being the large 10.1 Android Multi-Media System which features a 360-degree Parking Assist View display and proximity alert system. The driver can also use it to view tire pressure readouts, all-terrain modes, the hybrid function, and other vehicle system settings. WiFi-tethering also lets you install Waze and Spotify. Above the dashboard is another LED screen that houses the PM 2.5 Air Purification System as well as the three-round vents for air conditioning. The flat-bottomed steering wheel sports the bright blue ‘Tang’ symbol. Behind it is the LED instrument cluster that can be reconfigured according to the driver’s preferences.

BYD intended for the Tang to be a more aggressive S7, which is evident in the design choices for the front end of the vehicle. The most noticeable style feature on the Tang is the chrome accents that can be found on most parts of the vehicle. The front fascia is a combination of these chrome touches such as the trapezoid-shaped upper grille, as well as the much larger grille on the lower part. These are flanked by sharp angular headlights to make them appear more modern and sporty. The headlamps are LED and include LED DRLs to further enhance its look. In addition to that, the body of the SUV itself sports strong curves and edges that manage to make it look both muscular and sleek. Topping it off is the panoramic sunroof which is a rarity in most models under this segment.

The Tang’s massive 18.4-kilowatt-hour underfloor battery allows the vehicle an all-electric range of 80km. BYD is promising “2 liters per 100 kilometers” for the Tang. This means that the first 80 km is from the battery while the last 20 will come from the gasoline engine. However, even while cruising 80kph on the highway, it can still reach up to 90 to 100 km. When in traffic, this drops to approximately 40 to 50km. If you’re used to driving at high speeds, the battery does tend to fall below 15 percent after 65 km. The engine will turn on, but only to function as a generator for the batteries. Unfortunately, while electric charging could have been less inexpensive, the Tang’s 220V wall charger (1.6 kW/h) takes over ten hours just to recharge the battery. There is a 3.3kW quick charger that can charge the Tang in a much quicker five hours, however, this has to be directly wired into your home. EV charging stations would be helpful, but there are currently very few of them in the country. So this could be one disadvantage to owning the BYD Tang.

The BYD Tang is powered by a 2.0-litre DCT engine with two 150 hp electric alternating current (AC) motors. This is capable of generating 205 hp and 250 Nm of torque. However, according to BYD, the total hybrid (HEV) system output is capable of reaching 550 hp thanks to the AC motors. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission which electrically transmits power to all four wheels. This allows the vehicle to go from 0 to 100 in just 6.6 seconds. This is a second faster than the Lexus RX450h, which is also a hybrid crossover.

The Tang is equipped with various safety features including airbags for both the driver and passenger, as well as a side airbag for both the front and the rear. It also includes an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution, a rear camera, parking sensors, a crash sensor, front- and side-impact beams, and child safety locks.

The BYD Tang is an impressive hybrid SUV and can easily go against the likes of the Ford Explorer, the Mitsubishi Pajero, and even the BMW X1. Besides its multitude of premium features, you also get an electric battery with excellent economy and a powerful driving experience. However, ride performance can get a bit wonky when you push the vehicle too hard--particularly because of its large weight and build. But you’re still guaranteed to get a car with excellent grip, low rolling resistance, and modern features. The BYD Tang is priced at P3.29 million.