BYD Song Plus Review: Interior, Features and Performance

Introduction: A Quick Verdict on the Song Plus

The BYD Song Plus is a five-seat compact-to-midsize crossover that succeeds because it packages a spacious, well-equipped cabin and an efficient plug-in hybrid or battery-electric powertrain at a mainstream price. The fifth-generation DM-i version, on sale in China since July 2024 and updated with smart-driving variants in February 2025, pairs a 1.5-liter engine with a 160 kW front motor, rates loss-of-charge consumption from 3.9 L/100 km under NEDC, and offers 75 km or 112 km of NEDC electric range depending on battery. This review covers the interior, features and performance in detail, and closes with the specification checks that matter when importing one.

What the Song Plus Is: Versions and Key Dimensions

The Song Plus is sold in two powertrains in China, and reaches many export markets as the Seal U. Specifications differ by market and model year, so the table below should be read as an orientation map rather than a quotation sheet.

Body dimensions are consistent across DM-i and EV builds of the current generation: 4,775 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,670 mm tall, on a 2,765 mm wheelbase. That footprint places the car between compact and midsize crossovers, and the wheelbase does most of the work for rear-seat space.

Interior Design and Technology

Layout and materials

The cabin follows BYD's layered dashboard design with a wide, uncluttered horizontal theme, soft-touch surfaces on the upper dashboard and door tops, and contrast stitching on higher trims. The center console floats between the front seats, providing open storage below it, and rear passengers get a flat floor since there is no transmission tunnel. Nothing about the design is experimental, which is appropriate for a family-oriented crossover that will be resold several times in its life.

Infotainment: the rotating screen

The signature interior feature is the rotatable central touchscreen, offered in sizes from 12.8 up to 15.6 inches depending on trim and market, paired with a high-definition digital instrument cluster. The screen rotates between landscape and portrait orientations; navigation and media favor portrait, while CarPlay-style mirroring, where enabled by market, works in landscape. Wireless phone charging, voice control and over-the-air update capability round out the system. Buyers should confirm which connected services and smartphone integrations are enabled in the destination market, because software feature sets are regional and not identical to the Chinese domestic configuration.

Seating and comfort

Front seats are electrically adjustable on higher trims, with heating and ventilation available, which remains a differentiator against similarly priced combustion competitors. Rear legroom is generous for the class thanks to the 2,765 mm wheelbase, and the bench reclines slightly on some variants. Boot space is competitive for a five-seat crossover, with a power tailgate on upper trims. Panoramic roofs, ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel appear on specific trim levels, so an equipment checklist per variant is essential when comparing quotes.

Performance: How the Song Plus Drives

DM-i powertrain behavior

The fifth-generation DM-i system pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine, quoted by BYD at 46.06 percent thermal efficiency, with a front-mounted permanent-magnet motor and an E-CVT single-speed transmission. In the 2025 model-year smart-driving variants the motor output is 160 kW, which is ample for a crossover of this weight and gives confident overtaking without the transmission hunting of a conventional automatic. The default experience is electric: smooth, quiet and immediate off the line, with the engine joining mostly at higher speeds or when the battery is depleted. Drivers who charge regularly can complete most weekly driving without the engine starting at all.

Consumption and range

BYD rates fifth-generation Song Plus DM-i loss-of-charge consumption from 3.9 L/100 km under NEDC, and Chinese media road tests have recorded figures near or below that on economical routes, with combined tank-plus-battery claims around 1,550 km. These are Chinese-cycle figures under favorable conditions; real consumption rises with highway speeds, cold weather and load, and the combined-range claim assumes a full fuel tank and a full battery at departure. For fleet planning, the more useful numbers are the electric-range rating matched to your market's cycle, the fuel tank capacity, and the observed consumption in your duty cycle.

Charging behavior

The DM-i's Blade battery supports 2C fast charging in the Chinese-market version, with a 30-80 percent charge quoted in roughly 17 minutes on compatible DC equipment. Export-market Seal U DM-i hybrids use different pack sizes, with DC charging up to 18 kW, so charging expectations must be recalibrated per market: the hybrid is designed to charge opportunistically rather than on road trips. The EV versions charge considerably faster and suit destination markets with developed DC networks.

Ride, handling and refinement

The Song Plus is tuned for comfort rather than engagement. MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension absorb broken pavement well, steering is light for urban use, and top speed is limited to 180 km/h, which is a non-issue for a family crossover. Tire and windshield acoustic treatment on higher trims keeps cruising noise moderate, though under hard acceleration with a depleted battery the engine is audible. Overall, the dynamic package matches buyer expectations for the segment: calm, predictable and low-effort.

Strengths and Trade-offs

What Import Buyers Should Verify Before Ordering

• Confirm the exact model year, drivetrain and battery option through the VIN and factory sheet, not the brochure name.
• Match the electric-range rating to the correct cycle (NEDC, WLTC, CLTC or WLTP) for the market where the vehicle will be sold.
• Check that the infotainment language, navigation region and connected services are supported in the destination market.
• Verify ADAS hardware and enabled functions against local regulations, since smart-driving variants differ by market.
• Request the DC charging power for the specific battery pack, especially on hybrid versions where export packs differ from Chinese ones.
• Confirm which comfort features, such as seat ventilation or power tailgate, are fitted to the quoted trim.
• Review parts and warranty arrangements for the destination market before finalizing the order.

FAQ

Is the BYD Song Plus a good family SUV?

For buyers who can charge regularly, it is a strong family choice: a roomy five-seat cabin, comfortable ride, efficient plug-in hybrid operation and generous standard equipment. The DM-i works especially well for mixed urban commuting with occasional long trips, while the EV suits households with dependable home or workplace charging. The main caveat is verifying that the export variant's equipment and range rating match the version you tested or read about.

What is the difference between the Song Plus DM-i and EV?

The DM-i is a plug-in hybrid combining a 1.5-liter engine with an electric motor, offering 75 or 112 km of NEDC electric range in China plus petrol backup for long distances. The EV is fully battery-electric, rated around 505-605 km CLTC in China depending on the pack. Choose the DM-i where charging coverage is patchy and the EV where it is dependable.

How big is the Song Plus touchscreen?

The central touchscreen rotates between landscape and portrait orientations and is offered in sizes from 12.8 to 15.6 inches depending on trim and market, supported by a high-definition digital instrument cluster. Exact sizes should be confirmed against the specific variant because screen size is one of the clearest trim differentiators in the range.

What is the real fuel consumption of the Song Plus DM-i?

BYD rates fifth-generation Song Plus DM-i loss-of-charge consumption from 3.9 L/100 km under NEDC, and independent Chinese road tests have recorded similar figures at moderate speeds. Expect higher consumption on highways, in cold weather and with full loads. With regular charging, most households use far less fuel because daily distances stay within the electric range.

Is the exported Seal U the same car as the Song Plus?

The Seal U DM-i sold in Europe and other export markets is closely related to the Song Plus DM-i, but specifications differ: European versions use 18.3 kWh or 26.6 kWh battery packs rated at 70-80 km or up to 125 km WLTP, with DC charging up to 18 kW. Always compare export-market specification sheets rather than Chinese domestic figures.

How does the Song Plus accelerate?

With the 160 kW front motor of the 2025 model-year DM-i variants, acceleration is brisk rather than sporting, with immediate electric torque from standstill and confident mid-range overtaking through the single-speed transmission. BYD positions the car around comfort and efficiency, not hot-hatch pace; the earlier 110 km-range version was quoted at 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h, and current figures should be confirmed on the official sheet for the exact trim.

Conclusion

The Song Plus earns its sales volume by being easy to live with: a genuinely spacious cabin, a rotating touchscreen that still feels distinctive, heated and ventilated seats on upper trims, and a fifth-generation DM-i powertrain that runs on electricity for daily driving and petrol when needed. Its weaknesses are procedural rather than dynamic, because the export Seal U variants carry different battery packs, range cycles and charging rates than the Chinese domestic cars. Buyers who verify variant-level specifications before ordering get a competitive family crossover; buyers who assume parity between markets carry the risk.

AutoCN helps dealers and importers compare Song Plus and Seal U variants and confirm specification sheets before purchase. Start with the BYD brand page or browse published reviews for comparable models.