Full Electric vehicles aren’t some mythic dream anymore in 2025. You can have a sedan, crossover, and SUV even without selling your soul. However, there’s one void left in the market and that is the MPV space. It’s the only hot-selling arena where there isn’t an attainable EV yet – until recently.
BYD has launched the eMAX 7 that’s available as a 7 or 6-seater. It starts at a friendly price of PHP 1,498,000. That price range is where many hybrids compete and BYD just drops a family EV right in the center. Will it have a ripple effect, or is it still too early for an EV MPV? I borrowed the top of the line Superior Captain trim priced at PHP 1,748,000 to get my own answer.
The first thing I noticed is that the eMAX 7 looks like the BYD Atto 3 from the front. I had an event where the latter was parked beside me and side by side, things can be confusing if they’re of the same color. The silhouette also looks like an elongated Honda Jazz (that I love!) giving it a cool dad/hip mom vibe. The rear also has a European vibe to it with its simplicity. I like this minimalist approach because it makes the BYD eMAX 7 at home wherever you fancy. 
Once inside the cabin, the experience is almost familiar. If you have the key, the default setting of the eMAX 7 is to start the car immediately once you open the door, with the aircon activating a few seconds after. There’s still analog gauges in front of the driver, the shifter is at its usual position, and you can easily see the air controls on the touchscreen.
The downside is you’ll have an awkward position when using the shifter if the cups in the cupholder are taller than small size. The lack of tactile buttons for the aircon is also frustrating. Then again, perfecting them would mean additional cost.
I also wish the mechanism for the horn was a bit softer. Quick beeps are hard to make which is crucial, since the car is so quiet outside that it could be considered a pedestrian hazard.
As for the second row, finally, someone did it the right way. I’m not talking about the comfortable captain seats too. I’m referring to the air vents at the sides of the ceiling that are more effective than putting them behind the center console where your knee will block it. BYD proved that having a panoramic sunroof is not a hindrance for such placement. And yes, the captain seats are comfortable for long drives.
The second row has their own air flow control as well as USB charging ports in Type-A and Type-C shapes. Meanwhile the third row has their own air vents too and a cup holder for both occupants. The backrests are also adjustable and best of all, the seats are comfortable even for adults – granted the second row occupants give you a bit of leg space and you’re of average Filipino height. Sitting position and seat materials back here are suitable for a long drive.
Even with the third row up, there’s enough space at the back for carry-on suitcases and a few more duffle bags. What’s unfortunate is BYD didn’t utilize the space under the hood for a front trunk and just left it gaping open.
Despite being an EV, there’s not much adjustment to do when driving the eMAX 7. The throttle isn’t aggressive, and the default level of regenerative braking feels more like a car is coasting in neutral with slight deceleration. Feints on the throttle won’t register unless you step a little deep every time. This way, you won’t make your passengers dizzy when you’re still getting to terms with this EV. There’s also 2 other driving modes that can affect power delivery – Eco and Sport. But even in Normal mode if you floor the throttle quickly, the eMAX 7 will gladly unload its 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque onto the car.
In my one week with the eMAX 7, I was using around 10% from my places of work in Metro Manila (QC, Makati, BGC) and then going home to San Rafael, Bulacan. That is one way with a cruising speed of 100kph on the highway. Apparently I’m a heavy user as I consume 20% everyday at the minimum.
But if you’re working within the city, the traffic isn’t a burden to the range as many people assume. In fact, going from my workplaces in Makati/BGC to my former place in QC during rush hour only depleted 10% from the battery. That means you’ll have 10 days of driving with a single charge of the eMAX 7. If traffic is a bit mild, like Sunday driving on roads away from malls, most likely you’ll only use 5-8% depending on how many errands you have within the day.
Of course, things are different when you have a fully loaded car. I drove the eMAX 7 from San Rafael, Bulacan to Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal via NLEX and Commonwealth with 6 adults of varying sizes. Technically the car was carrying the weight of 7 but don’t judge me on that. My consumption basically doubled at 20% one way although that’s a bit thrifty considering the hill climb we went through going up to Timberland itself. Going back was more frugal as the car only used 12%.
My passengers also had a good sleep on the drive back as the ride is on par with segment leaders. When driven alone, it feels more like a hatchback than a sizable MPV because it doesn’t feel hollow. It doesn’t jump out at humps and road imperfections even when taken at speed. Cornering is also above average as the car has minimal body roll thanks to its battery placement and ride height. Combine all of that with the quiet cabin, comfortable seats, lots of space, and the BYD eMAX 7 is definitely a dream for the family.
The DiPilot – BYD’s Advanced Driver Assist System – is also one of the best in the market right now. It has the smoothest Lane Departure Assist I’ve tried and you can even tweak it. Those who do not want the intrusive nature of LDA can set it to warning only so the car will only put out visual and audible warnings if you’re veering away from your lane. Otherwise, it will take over the steering wheel to keep you centered. It’s also very smooth in its engagement that you’d think a human is doing the steering for you unlike others where it’s a mess of vibration and over correction. The Cruise Control also has a setting for how fast you want it to accelerate, while the Collision Prevention sensors work as intended when sweet potatoes engage in front of you.
There’s no other way to say it – the BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain is definitely enticing. It’s one of those cars that will linger in your mind once you drive it. “Really? All of this for only PHP 1,748,000” will be replaying in your head until you act on it. The eMAX 7 can push you to bypass that hybrid phase and go straight to EV mobility. If your living situation can accommodate the charger needed, you won’t regret going for it.
