If you’ve been paying attention to Singapore’s automotive landscape lately, you’ll know that the electric vehicle (EV) market has grown into a full-blown battle royale.
Carmakers from every corner of the globe are jostling to win your attention (and your dollars), and among them, few have been quite as ambitious as BYD.
Their latest entrant, the M6 MPV, demonstrates exactly why they’re turning heads, and not just because it’s incredibly good value.
The family MPV you didn’t know you needed
MPVs aren’t exactly the sort of vehicle that sets the average pulse racing. They’re practical, sensible, and as exciting as a Sunday afternoon grocery run. But you know what? That practicality is exactly why families love them.
At around 4.8 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, the M6 is in prime territory to compete against boxy compact MPVs like the Toyota Sienta and Honda Freed. It certainly has the room, with seven comfortable seats spread across three rows.
Visually, though, it feels refreshingly unpretentious. The M6 takes a sensible approach; clean lines, tidy proportions, and a pleasant blend of subtle creases and curves. Think of it as your trusty pair of sensible trainers: practical, comfortable, and appropriate for every occasion.
A cabin that’s as thoughtful as your mum’s cooking
Stepping inside the M6 immediately gives you a sense of familiarity. Everything feels like it’s exactly where it should be.
The cockpit is anchored by BYD’s now-familiar rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen. The menus are intuitive enough, even for first-time users. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and cabin materials feel surprisingly premium with plenty of plush upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and tasteful metallic trim.
One hallmark of a great MPV is clever practicality, and the M6 nails this aspect brilliantly. Families will appreciate the abundant charging points and numerous storage cubbies dotted about the cabin, plus easy access to the third row.
Even with a full posse in tow, the car feels spacious enough for longer journeys.
With all seats up, you’ll still find room for a weekend’s worth of luggage in the 420-litre boot. Fold down the third row and space jumps dramatically, perfect for the monthly IKEA haul or moving bulky furniture.
The rear tailgate is powered too, though surprisingly slow to open. Then again, who’s rushing you?
Quietly confident on the road
The M6 offered in Singapore comes with a 71.8kWh Blade Battery and an impressive claimed range of 450km (WLTP). In practice, with a mix of urban and expressway driving, I averaged around 17.1kWh/100km, good enough for about 400km between charges. A reassuring figure for family road trips up north.
Behind the wheel, it quickly becomes clear that the M6 is designed to soothe rather than excite. While 134bhp and 250Nm do not inspire off-the-line performance, it’s still punchy enough to overtake other users on expressways confidently.
The ride is admirably composed. It’s cushioned enough to keep the kids fast asleep, yet never wallowy enough to unsettle those in front. Body roll is minimal for an MPV, even through spirited turns, though it never truly tempts you to drive enthusiastically through some tight bends.
Let’s face it, that’s not the point here. What family buyers really want is comfort and quietness, and on those counts the M6 excels.
Noise suppression is commendable too, with the electric powertrain hushed at all times. Wind and tyre noise only make themselves known at higher expressway speeds, but they’re kept well within acceptable levels.
BYD has equipped the M6 generously with active safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and a particularly alert collision warning system.
The latter can be slightly over-enthusiastic, occasionally chiming in a bit prematurely even when you’ve left ample braking distance.
The family EV you actually want
At the time of writing, the BYD M6 is the only Cat-A-friendly seven-seater electric MPV in the market, and this alone will improve its appeal. This is not a cynical exercise in ticking boxes on a spec sheet either, but rather a carefully considered and thoughtfully executed family companion.
It might not set your heart racing or draw envious looks, but it does exactly what it sets out to do, and does it exceptionally well.
It’s sensible, smartly equipped, and quietly brilliant.
Technical Specifications
BYD M6
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 100 kW (134 bhp)
Torque: 250 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 11.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Battery Capacity: 71.8 kWh
Drive Range: 440 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 5.35 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$159,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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