In the competitive hybrid SUV segment, the BYD Song PLUS DM-i has long been regarded as a benchmark model. The 2025 version arrives with BYD’s latest DM5.0 technology and is offered in five distinct trims, each clearly targeted at different user needs. This review evaluates the vehicle from four practical perspectives—configuration comparison, sensory experience, functional testing, and market insights—to provide a realistic guide for potential buyers.
1. Buyer’s Guide: Five Trims Explained Without Confusion
The differences among the five trims mainly focus on electric range, charging capability, driver-assistance features, and comfort equipment. Understanding how these upgrades translate into daily use is far more important than simply reading a specification sheet.
75KM Luxury
The entry model already covers the essentials. A 12.9kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery supports a 75km pure-electric range, while exterior and comfort features such as 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and an electric tailgate are retained. Inside, the combination of a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 360-degree camera makes everyday driving and parking stress-free.
However, limitations are clear. The car only supports 3.3kW AC slow charging and lacks DC fast charging, which restricts flexibility. Driver assistance is limited to basic cruise control and essential active safety, making long highway trips more tiring. This version suits users with home chargers who mainly drive short urban routes.
112KM Premium
For a modest step up, this trim brings meaningful improvements. Battery capacity rises to 18.3kWh, increasing pure-electric range to 112km—enough for most commuters to charge only once a week. The addition of 26kW DC fast charging reduces 30–80% charging time to about 23 minutes, solving the biggest shortcoming of the base model.
It also adds the DiLink 100 smart cockpit, ambient lighting, and a nine-speaker audio system, noticeably improving in-car experience. In real use, the 112km range comfortably covers five working days of 30km daily commuting with zero fuel consumption, making it the most cost-effective entry into the lineup.
112KM Prestige
This trim is where the Song PLUS DM-i feels truly complete. It introduces L2-level DiPilot assistance with full-speed adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning, and emergency braking. Comfort equipment such as ventilated and heated front seats and 50W wireless charging dramatically improves seasonal usability.
With balanced electric range and a remarkably low fuel consumption of around 3.9L/100km when the battery is depleted, this version can achieve an estimated combined range of about 1500km on a full tank and charge. For families who need both daily electric commuting and long-distance travel, this is the most recommended option.
160KM Flagship
The focus here is range and charging. A larger 26.6kWh battery delivers 160km of electric driving, while charging power increases to 54kW DC and 7kW AC, cutting fast-charge time to 17 minutes. The screen grows to 15.6 inches and FSD variable damping improves ride comfort.
Yet the extra cost mainly buys additional range, which many users may not fully utilize. For drivers with convenient charging access, the 112km versions already meet most scenarios, making this upgrade more suitable for those with frequent long electric commutes.
160KM Flagship PLUS
The top trim is aimed at technology enthusiasts. The DiPilot 100 “Eye of the Gods” system uses 29 sensors—including millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras—to enable advanced features such as automated lane changes, obstacle avoidance, and remote parking. The cabin gains an INFINITY audio system, HUD display, and a car microphone.
It delivers the richest experience but approaches the price territory of larger SUVs, so it makes sense mainly for buyers prioritizing high-level driver assistance and premium features.
2. First Impressions: Familiar Design, Smarter Details
Exterior
The 2025 model keeps the recognizable proportions of the Song family: 4775mm in length with a 2765mm wheelbase, balancing maneuverability and interior space. The new 19-inch wheel design adds visual freshness, while LED headlights and a full-width taillight enhance nighttime presence. Paint quality on the tested Snow White unit appeared deep and even, practical for daily maintenance.
Interior
Inside, soft-touch materials and neat stitching create a warm atmosphere. The steering wheel differs by trim: higher versions adopt a four-spoke design with driver-assistance controls, while standard versions keep a traditional three-spoke layout.
The rotating central screen remains a highlight—horizontal for video, vertical for navigation—running the DiLink 100 system with sub-0.5-second voice response. Rear passengers benefit from a nearly flat floor and generous space; a 180cm adult enjoys two fists of legroom. The trunk offers 574L, expanding to 1600L with seats folded, easily handling camping or family luggage.
3. Feature Testing: Range and Intelligence Under Real Conditions
Electric Range and Fuel Efficiency
Testing the 112KM Prestige in mixed conditions showed impressive consistency. In urban traffic at 20–40km/h, electric range reached 92% of the official figure, delivering about 103km. At highway speeds of 90–110km/h, efficiency remained around 85%, still covering roughly 95km.
When running with a depleted battery, combined fuel consumption measured 4.1L/100km—very close to the official claim. A 260km round trip left 32% battery and 70% fuel, suggesting a real-world combined range near 1450km, excellent for inter-city travel.
Fast charging from 30–80% took about 25 minutes on a 26kW station, while a 7kW home charger filled the battery in 2.5 hours, ideal for overnight use.
4.Driver Assistance
The 112KM Prestige version is equipped with an L2-level DiPilot system, and its performance on highways proved better than expected. Once full-speed adaptive cruise control is activated, the vehicle holds the center of the lane with impressive precision, requiring almost no steering correction even through gentle bends. Following distance can be adjusted across three levels: the closest maintains a 1.5-second gap, useful in congested traffic, while the farthest extends to around three seconds, providing a more relaxed and safer buffer during high-speed cruising.
The rear collision warning system also demonstrated quick and accurate responses. When a fast-approaching vehicle was detected from behind while preparing to change lanes, the system issued dual alerts through steering-wheel vibration and instrument cluster warnings, and applied light braking to help prevent a potential collision. On the winding sections of the Beijing–Taipei Expressway, the system was able to recognize curve radius in advance, smoothly reducing speed from 110 km/h to around 80 km/h before the bend and accelerating again afterward, all without requiring driver intervention.
The more basic assistance features remain highly practical as well. The 360-degree surround view, combined with the 540-degree transparent chassis display, clearly shows the distance between wheels and curbs when maneuvering through narrow alleys, making parallel parking easy even for novice drivers. Automatic emergency braking repeatedly proved its value in urban traffic; when a pedestrian suddenly crossed the road, the system intervened before the driver could react, effectively preventing minor collisions.
5. Market Situation and Ownership Considerations
Dealers report stable supply for the 112KM Prestige and 160KM Flagship PLUS, with popular colors usually available immediately. Buyers can benefit from trade-in incentives and attractive financing options, while new-energy tax exemptions further reduce ownership cost. The purchase process remains transparent with no mandatory add-ons.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 BYD Song PLUS DM-i is not a radical redesign but a thoughtful evolution. The DM5.0 system brings tangible gains in efficiency, while the upgraded cockpit and DiPilot assistance close the gap with higher-priced competitors. Among the lineup, the 112KM Prestige stands out as the most balanced choice, blending everyday electric convenience with long-distance capability.
For families seeking a versatile SUV that can run on electricity during the week and cover road trips without anxiety, the Song PLUS DM-i continues to be one of the most convincing options in its class—practical, economical, and increasingly intelligent.
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