Never in my life did I think I’d find myself driving a total of 800KM in just three days. I was crammed into a hybrid sedan, speeding down coastal highways, winding across mountain roads, and occasionally being caught in excruciating traffic jams. Yet, here we are.

That’s exactly what went down when we took the BYD Seal 5 DM-i on a three-day adventure across Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan. We had a mix of sun, sand, long roads, and a hybrid system put to the test.

The great escape (or so we thought)

We kicked off the trip at Seda Manila Bay, hoping to make a quick getaway via the Skyway.

Newsflash: Manila traffic doesn’t care about your road trip ideas. We left during rush hour, inching forward at a turtle’s pace, which gave us ample time to truly appreciate the Seal 5 DM-i’s cabin.

Because what else do you do when you’re basically parked on an elevated highway?

I got first dibs on the front passenger seat — AKA DJ duties. I connected my iPhone to the BYD Seal 5 DM-i via Apple CarPlay.

It was mostly to show to my mates, Milo and Paulo, that BYD clearly prefers Android Auto which is a nod to its Chinese roots. (I kept getting disconnected when using Apple CarPlay.)

My Sunday’s Best playlist was on full blast as we explored the spacious, tech-packed interior that felt premium and futuristic.

Milo tinkered with the massive touchscreen and digital instrument cluster — switching between hybrid power and full electric mode — while I got lost admiring the minimalist but sleek interior.

The insulated cabin, wrapped in soft leather seats, blocked out the city’s honking symphony.

For a moment, it was just us, the open road, and James Ingram’s “Just Once” playing in the background.

Jesus takes the wheel

We took turns driving, making designated stops so everyone could get a feel for the hybrid sedan. When my turn came, I wasn’t fully confident.

Blame it on waking up at 5 AM, sleeping past midnight, and the tragic absence of Starbucks.

But here’s what I love about BYD’s vehicles: they drive you rather than the other way around.

The Seal 5 DM-i’s driver-assist features are intuitive and responsive, making it feel like I was piloting a top-tier luxury car.

On the freeway, lane-keeping assist kept me steady at 90-100kph, even as I struggled to match the lead car’s pace. As the second car in the convoy, I was setting the rhythm for the group, which was a daunting task but made effortless by the sedan’s smooth handling.

Adaptive Cruise Control stayed off (too much overtaking for that), but the hybrid sedan’s suspension held firm. No excessive body roll, no unexpected jerks. Just steady, confident driving, even on uneven provincial roads.

Passenger princess mode

After a lunch stop at Red Baron Restaurant — a must-visit Northern Loop gem featuring vintage motorcycles and mouthwatering food — I finally claimed my well-earned backseat nap.

By then, we’d clocked over 200KM, and Paulo took over the wheel.

Unfortunately for him, he got the nerve-wracking stretch — crossing the country road from Pangasinan to Zambales, overtaking on a two-lane highway filled with 10-wheelers, tricycles, and pedestrians meandering onto the road.

Meanwhile, I was fully embracing my passenger princess mode. The backseat was incredibly comfortable, and the cabin remained whisper-quiet.

Milo was tapping away on his phone, while Paulo stayed laser-focused on driving. As for me, I was curled up with my denim jacket, half-asleep from the gentle hum of the road.

A coastal retreat

Our first night was at Kalinto Resort in Botolan, Zambales. It’s a hidden sanctuary where modern comforts meet nature’s best.

Ocean in front, mountains behind, and a cozy stay in between.

There was no bonfire session for us (due to a sudden downpour), but after dinner, I knocked out. I got nine hours of uninterrupted sleep, waking just before sunrise.

That morning, Kalinto revealed its magic. I walked along the coastline, soaking in the sound of waves, the cool morning breeze, and the pinkish hue of the pre-sunrise sky.

Armed with a Spanish latte and a classic Filipino tapa breakfast, I was ready to take on another day of driving.

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i, parked on the driveway, looked even better in the daylight. It’s one of those cars that belong anywhere, whether parked outside a fancy resort or tearing down provincial highways.

The sporty, elegant sedan aesthetic isn’t usually my thing, but something about this car just spoke to me.

It felt like a reflection of my journey: Chasing dreams, navigating challenges, but always finding time to play and unwind.

Fuel efficiency face off

The next day, we turned the trip into an efficiency contest. Whoever’s car had the highest range and fuel by the end of Day 2 would win.

What I realized too late was that we forgot to switch to EV mode after topping up the battery with regenerative braking.

On the first day, Milo started the drive purely on EV mode, dropping our battery to 27%. When Paulo and I took over, we used HEV mode, running on fuel but completely forgetting to go back to electric.

With that in mind, we strategized better for the next leg. Switching between EV and HEV was seamless with a simple press of a button in the center console.

One minute, I was gliding on electric power. The next, the 1.5L engine kicked in with enough muscle, especially for overtaking.

A lunch stop in Subic

After two hours of driving, we arrived in Subic Bay, a place I haven’t been to in decades.

There was something refreshing about the tree-lined streets and wide roads, which is a complete contrast to Manila’s traffic chaos.

We pulled up at Subic International Golf Club, a hidden gem that felt like a different world altogether. There were just lush greens, perfectly manicured fairways, and a peaceful ambiance.

You don’t even have to be a golf enthusiast to appreciate this place.

Lunch was an absolute feast, and I started admiring the view — realizing that road trips are only as good as the stops you make.

A quick game followed on who could fit the most items in the BYD Seal 5 DM-i’s compartment.

We lost (I’m too meticulous about packing neatly), but it was fun.

With our stomachs still full and the afternoon heat kicking in, we were back on the road. Next stop: La Jolla Resort in Bagac, Bataan.

On the zigzags

Reaching La Jolla Luxury Beach Resort in Bagac, Bataan, meant tackling winding mountain roads with sharp curves and steep downhills.

When it was my turn, I gripped the steering wheel and felt the weight of each turn.

Though the BYD Seal 5 DM-i made it easy to maneuver through the curves, I was consumed by my fear and anxiety.

In my head, I kept thinking what if we topple over, crash, or fall out of a cliff?

After an intense drive that felt like a car chase with the lead car, I finally let Milo take over.

He, of course, had other plans — channeling his inner race car driver and pushed the hybrid sedan to its limits.

And just like that, we arrived at La Jolla Luxury Beach Resort just in time for sunset.

That night, we reveled in some much-needed cocktails, good food, and good vibes.

Oh, we also won the efficiency contest — making our car-slash-team the most efficient drivers for the group.

Battle with motion sickness

The next day, we struggled with another set of curved roads. This time, they’re steeper, and luckily, it was Milo who was assigned to drive that leg. (He’s an expert in drifting, I guess.)

For whatever reason, even when I was riding on the front passenger seat, I had to take out my Poy-Sian menthol inhaler to avoid feeling like throwing up.

Milo told me to focus on the road ahead, instead of looking elsewhere to feel better. That didn’t help though, so I just stuck my inhaler to my nose and closed my eyes.

Thankfully, it was only half an hour of driving in the curves, and we’re suddenly in the clear to have lunch again. At that time, we already had over 600km and by the time we arrive in Manila, we’ll reach a total of 800km drive.

I was excited to go home, even when I reveled at luxurious resorts and marvelous views. Though the BYD Seal 5 DM-i is comfortable enough for long-distance drives, whether you’re a driver or a passenger, I still believe that three days of being on the road can take a toll on both your mind and body.

We took our lunch at Daloy Bistro, before we rushed back to Manila — taking a three-hour drive down to two and a half hours.

At that moment, the fifth car in our convoy almost ran out of fuel so we had to stop and wait. They were the only car to almost get down to zero for its range, and we realized that the BYD Seal 5 DM-i’s efficiency will still depend on the driver’s behaviors and usage.

And luckily, a total of eight cars in the convoy proved different in terms of driving behaviors. And we’re still the most efficient one.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

After three days, 800KM, multiple drivers, and all kinds of terrain, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i proved itself as a road-trip certified machine.

It’s not just a fuel-efficient hybrid. It’s a comfortable long-distance cruiser with the ability to handle tight turns, steep climbs, and even heavy city traffic.

If I had any doubts about hybrid sedans before, they’re long gone. The BYD Seal 5 DM-i isn’t just a car for daily drives — it’s built for adventure, efficiency, and everything in between.

Swipe right if you’re a city driver who wants hybrid efficiency without sacrificing power, who’d occasionally go on road trips packed with comfort creatures and tech-filled cockpit that make long drives cozy, on a vehicle that’s sleek and sophisticated.

Swipe left if you’re looking for a more aggressive, high-performance drive, and if you aren’t ready to hop on the hybrid/electric hype.

Because for us, we’ll be confident to say this: The BYD Seal 5 DM-i isn’t just good. 800KM later, it’s road-trip certified and deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

It’s a super swipe because it balances performance, efficiency, and style at a price that won’t make your bank accounts and wallets cry.

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i starts at PhP 948,000 with the Dynamic model, and PhP 1,198,000 for the Premium variant.