Giant carmaker group BYD has launched its new Song L electric crossover in China. It can be equipped with a 71,8 kWh or 87 kWh battery offering up to 662 km of range and 517 hp.

The Song L packs BYD’s specific technologies, such as the Disus-C suspension and cell-to-body battery integration. With a design close to the concept car presented at the Shanghai Motor Show last year, it also undercuts the competition with lower prices than announced during presale.

Cheaper than a Tesla Model Y

Presented in concept-car form at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show, the BYD Song L has now hit the showroom with quite a statement. Packed with technology, this electric SUV is on sale in China for 189 800 yuan, making it much cheaper than the entry-level Tesla Model Y (266 400 yuan). Furthermore, this starting price is lower than the presale price.

In addition, this new midsize electric crossover, like its Denza N7 sister, sits on the common BYD e-platform 3.0. This gives it a sizable length (4,8 m) and wheelbase (2,93 m) and gives the Song L access to the brand’s technology, such as the active Disus-C suspension and cell-to-body battery integration.

New Dynasty member

This new Song L is part of BYD’s Dynasty series, the higher-end scale of the brand, of which the Han and Tang sold in Europe are part. The interior reflects its premium ambition. Like other BYD models, it packs a 15,6-inch floating touchscreen and a 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The new Song L has three powertrain options, varying primarily on power. The entry-level is powered by a rear electric motor with 150 kW (204 hp) and 310 Nm or torque. Above that sits a 230-kW (313 hp) motor with 360 Nm of torque. Finally, the AWD variant peaks at 380 kW (517 hp) and 670 Nm of torque, which gives it a 0-100 kph time of 4,3 seconds.

Up to 662 (Chinese) km

Regarding the battery, there are options, 71,8 kWh or 87 kWh, both in-house LFP Blade batteries. The two rear-wheel-drive variants can be equipped with both batteries, while the faster AWD version only gets the larger one.

Range varies depending on the version, with a max of 550 km for the smaller battery and 662 km for the larger one. The AWD model gets a 602 km range. It’s important to note that while these numbers might seem attractive to us Europeans, they are calculated with the very favorable Chinese homologation (CLTC).