In the second half of last year, BYD Malaysia launched two vehicles in quick succession — the BYD M6 and the BYD Sealion. One is a fully electric budget MPV, and the other is a premium electric SUV. In this review, I’ll be focusing on the BYD M6, which has actually sold quite well here in Malaysia. To be fair, the BYD M6 has been on the market in China for quite a while, but it only arrived on our shores sometime last year. That didn’t stop BYD from selling a good number of them locally. So this time around, I’ll take a closer look at the BYD M6 and explore why it managed to secure a solid chunk of sales in Malaysia.
From the outside, the M6 looks like any regular MPV going about its business. It blends in well with the crowd, so if you prefer a vehicle that doesn’t stand out, the M6 will definitely satisfy you. Even so, it still carries some familiar BYD design cues that link it to the brand’s other models. The most obvious is at the front, where it shares a similar design with the Atto 3. It features a sharp nose and full LED headlights that shine brightly in the dark. While I expected to find a light bar between the headlights, I think the absence of one actually feels refreshing in today’s market. At the very least, it sets the M6 apart from other Chinese EVs in this aspect. 
Moving to the rear, this top-spec M6 still features a light bar across the back, which is pretty much expected for a vehicle like this. BYD seems to consistently rely on light bars to give their cars a modern appearance. Overall, the rear retains the look of a traditional MPV, with a large tailgate dominating the back of the vehicle. As for the rear doors, the M6 comes with conventional hinged doors—no sliding doors here. I guess adding sliding doors might incur unnecessary costs, so BYD has chosen to stick with the traditional route. Behind both rear doors, there’s a strange “Space” badge. Personally, I think removing that badge would make the vehicle look more elegant. Staying true to its entry-level MPV status, the M6 doesn’t come with oversized rims like most EVs on the market. Instead, it’s fitted with 17-inch wheels wrapped in 225/55 R17 tires—a practical move that helps keep running costs down for future buyers. 
As for the M6’s interior, it follows a more traditional design. It doesn’t feature the rather hideous curves seen on some other BYD models. Instead, it has a more honest, down-to-earth dashboard. In terms of fit and finish, it’s quite decent for the vehicle’s price. BYD has chosen to use a mix of hard and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, allowing it to feel premium in some areas while still keeping costs relatively reasonable. At the center of the dashboard is a 12.8-inch infotainment screen, which is a tad smaller than those in other BYD models. As for the instrument cluster, it’s a combination of analog and digital elements. At the center, there’s a 5-inch multi-information display that provides key driving information. 
For a vehicle at this price, I don’t think the instrument cluster looks out of place at all. In fact, it gives a sense of honesty to the M6, as it reflects the true value of the vehicle. I actually think this instrument cluster looks better than some fully digital ones, as it doesn’t feel out of place in a Chinese car. However, most Malaysians would probably still prefer digital displays, as they believe they look more modern. Another plus is that this analog cluster is less distracting than digital alternatives.
As for the infotainment screen, it’s practically the same one you’ll find in other BYD models. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available, allowing you to stay connected while driving. With the introduction of the M6, BYD has also added a karaoke function to give passengers more ways to stay entertained on the road. While the song selection is decent, I did find that many songs are still missing. Even with a basic sound system, the audio quality is relatively good. However, like other BYD models, I’m still not convinced that integrating the climate controls into the infotainment screen is the most user-friendly option. Below the screen, the M6 also comes with two wireless chargers to keep your devices powered up on the go. 
Sitting in the driver’s seat, I personally don’t find it very comfortable. The seat is rather flat, and the cushion is on the firmer side. This also means it isn’t very supportive when tackling corners. However, for an MPV at this price, you can’t really complain too much. On the plus side, the leather upholstery is actually quite nice. The rear seat is similar to the front—also firm and not particularly plush. But as a people carrier, second-row passengers do get plenty of headroom and legroom, so they won’t feel claustrophobic. I also noticed that second-row passengers sit a little higher than those in the front row, giving them a better forward view. Paired with the panoramic roof, the rear actually feels quite airy. 
Moving into the third row, it feels a bit cramped. However, with a little squeeze, you can fit two adults back there. It’s more suitable for short journeys, as long trips may leave third-row passengers uncomfortable. On the plus side, the seatbacks recline at a comfortable angle, which helps reduce pressure during the ride. In my opinion, over long distances, it still tends to feel claustrophobic for adults. But if you’re just putting kids back there, they’ll fit in just fine. All three rows have individual AC vents, so everyone gets a chance to stay cool inside the M6. 
With all the seats up, the M6 has a relatively small boot. It measures just 180L, so not much luggage can fit if you’re carrying a full load of passengers. However, if you only have five people onboard, you can expand the boot to 580L by folding down the third row. For added convenience, BYD provides an automatic tailgate to make loading and unloading easier. For an EV at this price point, the M6 comes with a single electric motor located at the front, making it a front-wheel-drive MPV. The motor is powered by a 71.8kWh battery, giving the vehicle an estimated range of 530km based on the NEDC rating. It produces 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque, allowing the M6 to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in just 8.6 seconds. 
In terms of performance, I wouldn’t call the M6 slow. The instant torque makes it feel light on its feet, but it doesn’t deliver that ‘kick in the back’ kind of acceleration. For a family vehicle, the single-motor setup works well, allowing for smooth acceleration that won’t make passengers feel nauseated. The M6 is also efficient when it comes to battery usage. Based on my testing, I averaged around 17.1 kWh/100 km in energy consumption. With a full charge, the M6 indicated a range of about 520 km. With careful driving, I believe it could realistically achieve around 450 km. Impressively, the M6 maintains a fast charging rate even past 85%—sustaining 40 kW all the way to 100%. I’m not sure how healthy this is for the battery in the long term, but most owners will appreciate the consistent charging speed. 
The ride quality is similar to most BYD models I’ve tested. It features a soft suspension that soaks up road imperfections with ease. For an MPV, this setup works quite well, isolating the cabin from bumps and jolts. However, the softness also causes more body roll in corners, which can reduce driver confidence. The steering isn’t very direct or communicative, so you don’t get much feedback from the front wheels. It also feels quite light, meaning the handling could leave you wanting more.
As for braking, the M6 has some of the better brakes among the BYD vehicles I’ve tested. They may feel a bit grabby at first, but they’re more powerful than even those on the higher-end Seal. Like most BYD models, the braking system relies mainly on the physical brakes, as regenerative braking is relatively weak. That said, if you lift off the throttle, you can still feel some regenerative braking kicking in. In typical EV fashion, the M6 comes fully loaded with all the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) found in other BYD models. Fortunately, in the M6, they’re not as intrusive as those in some other EVs that constantly beep and bong while driving.
The M6 comes standard with Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Pre-Collision Brake Assist (PCBA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with full-speed range, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). 
At RM123,800, the M6 is actually a very well-priced EV. It may not be the newest or most advanced model out there, but I think it’s an honest vehicle. It’s not trying to be something it’s not—it’s simply an MPV designed to move people around. And why does it remind me of the Proton Exora? Proton created the Exora with the same philosophy: a large enough MPV to carry seven adults, yet still cheap to run. That’s exactly what BYD has done here—and they’ve done it quite well. If you regularly ferry people around town or need a vehicle for school runs, the M6 would be perfect for those needs.
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