Almost every new EV that’s been launched in the past few years has several key things in common: They have a ‘futuristic’ exterior, and a minimalist interior with large displays and relatively few buttons.
The model must also evoke a sense of novelty and make customers feel like they just bought a snazzy, high-tech model that will continue to wow them for the next few years or until something even snazzier comes along.
But surprisingly, consumers will also readily flock to something like the BYD M6, a seven-seater MPV that by all accounts, is a car that bucks these trends. It doesn’t have eye-catching styling or sizzling performance, yet it’s the car that has drawn so much attention, with BYD racking up 400 orders prior to its official launch. Why is this so?
DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
First things first: The BYD M6 is not a successor to the E6. Though the latter is also an MPV, it is less practical as it only has (and is only available with) five seats and the rear backrests can’t be folded to expand the boot’s capacity.
The E6 also has lesser performance compared to the M6, and according to BYD Singapore, the next-generation E6 might only be available here as a B2B or commercial model.
Now, many buyers are drawn to a particular model by its design, but the best way to describe the M6 is ‘inoffensive’. There’s nothing striking about its styling, for the grille-less front end is already something we expect. Sleek, stretched head lights? Check. Full-width taillights? Check. Roof spoiler? Yes, that’s there, too.
So, the M6 would blend into most carparks without attracting attention. But while some may see this a negative, looks don’t matter to a driver whose main concern is having a relatively affordable electric seven-seater to ferry the family.
PEOPLE-FERRYING PURPOSE
Get behind the wheel of the M6 and the first thing that strikes you is how ‘conventional’ the cockpit is, for there are still physical buttons aplenty on the steering wheel and centre console. This makes it easy for first-time EV drivers to adapt to the car.
In fact, unlike other modern EVs, the M6 does not have a digital instrument panel with configurable layouts. Instead, you have analogue dials for the speedometer and kilowatt readouts, with an LCD between them that displays information that includes consumption and tyre pressures.
There’s also a decent amount of tech, too. Safety features include Intelligent Cruise Control, Predictive Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Assist. And the infotainment system is relatively easy to use because it’s not bloated, and the menu options don’t go too ‘deep’ either.
Speaking of which, more depth is something that the door bins could use. The storage point in the centre console is decent and it also provides a USB-A and a USB-C point for connecting your smartphone. Apple CarPlay starts up immediately and not once did it slow down or freeze over the three-day test drive.
Strangely, despite the M6 providing two spaces to place phones, only one side has wireless charging. If another wireless charging spot couldn’t be fitted, it would have been better to just leave enough space for one device.
The M6 makes getting on the road convenient. Despite the MPV not being able to lock/unlock when the driver approaches with the key fob in his or her pocket, unlocking the car switches on the electric motor and fires up the infotainment. By the time you’ve buckled up, the infotainment is fully loaded, and cool air is being circulated.
Measuring 4,710mm long and with a wheelbase length of 2,800mm, the M6 is not exactly small, but not overly large either. Second-row passengers have generous legroom thanks to the flat rear floor, but third-row occupants who require a bit more space must ask them to slide the bench forward.
The last pair of seats surprisingly offers enough legroom for anyone up to 1.75m tall. It also has air-con vents on either side to help keep the space cool. But the short backrests mean less comfort on longer drives. And access back here is still tricky, so it’s better suited for kids or petite adults.
For practicality, the M6 offers 180 litres of boot space with the rearmost seats up and 580 litres when they’re folded. The second-row seats fold flat, too, but BYD does not provide a capacity figure for this. At any rate, it’s cavernous enough to stow several boxes to help a friend move house.
GENTLE MANNERS
At time of writing, the M6 is the only brand new Cat A seven-seater electric MPV in the market, which undoubtedly adds to its appeal. Fed by a 71.8kWh Blade Battery, the motor produces 134bhp (100kW) and 250Nm of torque.
Figures like these are modest, but again, an M6 buyer won’t be using this MPV to win any races, as the car takes 11.9 seconds to finish the century sprint. But what the electric powertrain does offer is smoothness and refinement, so even when you’re pressing on, the car doesn’t feel like it’s out of breath.
If this were an internal combustion engine car, the rising volume of engine revs, coupled with a lack of progress, would make everyone feel like the car was struggling. Not so in the M6.
Speaking of internal combustion, the M6 is underpinned by the platform of a model called the BYD Song Max, which is available in petrol and plug-in hybrid variants in overseas markets.
Technically speaking, a car designed and built as a pure electric model would have more efficiencies with regard to space and packaging, since the carmaker wouldn’t have to create room for another powertrain or a fuel tank.
But points like these won’t matter to consumers who, upon taking the wheel of the M6, will find it to be a pleasant drive. After all, progressive acceleration, a quiet cabin and a pliant ride make commutes so much less stressful.
BYD cites a WLTP range of 440km, but impressively, the trip computer displayed a range of 526km with a fully charged battery. BYD also claims a combined consumption of 5.3km per kWh, but I managed to achieve 5.9km/kWh with mostly urban driving and the drive mode set to ‘Normal’.
THE MPV TODAY’S FAMILIES SEEK
The M6 is neither the newest nor coolest EV around, and as an MPV, it can’t be described as sexy either. But it’s still popular because families will like the model’s value proposition. It currently starts from $157,888 without guaranteed COE.
In this climate, that’s not too much to ask for an MPV that’s roomy, practical, easy to drive, has a soft ride, and a good amount of safety features. You could bemoan the lack of larger screens and more colourful mood lighting. However, at this price point, it’s hard to complain.
Besides, BYD never positioned the M6 as a premium product filled with bells and whistles. It’s neither novel nor futuristic-looking, but its sales figures show that demand from this segment for a Cat A electric seven-seater MPV has been unmet – until now.
BYD M6 (A)
MOTOR AC permanent magnet synchronous motor
MAX POWER 134bhp
MAX TORQUE 250Nm
BATTERY CAPACITY 71.8kWh
POWER TO WEIGHT 70bhp per tonne
GEARBOX Single-speed automatic
0-100KM/H 11.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 180km/h
CONSUMPTION 5.35km/kWh (combined)
MAX RANGE 440km
PRICE INCL. COE From $157,888
AGENT BYD Singapore
