We recently tested the BYD Han super sedan and were left generally impressed, despite its overall lack of polish that one takes for granted among the established legacy brands. And being a first-time effort, we aren’t too concerned as succeeding versions will only get better.

This time, we check out the Tang, the brand’s seven-seat SUV that is available in other markets with a choice of gasoline, hybrid, and pure electric powertrains.

In the Philippines, we only get the pure electric version, built atop BYD’s proprietary e-Platform 3.0.

The Tang comes with a massive 108.8kWh capacity from its Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, endowing the Tang with a massive 530km of advertised range.

My estimate given real-world driving conditions is around 460-480km of usable range based on my test drive. The onboard 11kW charger sees you go from zero to 100% in 15 hours, and the available DC charger fills it up from 20% to 80% in under 30 minutes.

Seems rather long, until you remember the gargantuan battery capacity. It even has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing you to power home appliances and more, and it even comes with its own adapter. Handy to have during times of natural calamities when the power goes out.

Total system output is similar to the Han at 507hp (combined) and 700Nm of torque, as the two electric motors strapped to the front (240hp) and the rear (267hp) axles propel the Tang to 100km/h in a rather shocking 4.9 seconds.

So, again, it begs the question: How does it drive?

Much like the Han, the Tang puts emphasis on comfort and refinement. On smooth roads and typical B-roads, the Tang is smooth, serene, and refined, even when riding on massive 21-inch alloy wheels shod with 265/45 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires.

But the faster you go, the more g-forces you generate, and the more frenetic your inputs are, the greater the tendency for the Tang to get overwhelmed.

The steering could use a bit more feel, feedback, and self-centering effort, and the suspension a bit more damping and rebound control.

The brakes are powerful, no doubt thanks to the massive Brembo brakes up front coupled with the regenerative braking. It could, however, use a bit more progressiveness as there’s a bit of lurch, usually right after stepping on the brakes from high speeds (or coming to a stop in low-speed traffic crawls).

It is in its element when you take it for a long drive, and the powerful and instantaneous torque delivery makes overtaking and going up steep inclines a breeze.

On another opportunity, we got to try out the sure-footed stability of the Tang’s all-wheel drive system at a dynamic driving event down south over a slippery surface, and it’s as steady as a mountain goat in harsh terrain.

Truly, the perfect electric vehicle to take your family on a long trip up north or way down south.

The BYD has an impressive (for an EV) 5.9m turning radius, with a decent 180mm ground clearance. The 2,630kg curb weight doesn’t make itself felt, and the 2,820mm wheelbase gives it amazing stability at high speed.

But being a family-oriented vehicle means you emphasize safety and comfort. And on this, the Tang delivers in spades. ABS-EBD brakes, traction/stability control, hill-descent control, and eight airbags are present for the passive safety equipment.

Of course, it also has its own DiPilot advanced driver safety systems that include lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, advanced emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Eight radar sensors make sure the car is always aware and can avoid harm’s way, and a full 360° view of the car is also available thanks to its smart cameras around the car. Speed-sensing door locks ensure your family is safe and secure on the move.

As befits a luxury car, Nappa leather covers the seats, with an eight-way power-adjustable front driver seat and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat.

The second row gets four-way manual adjustment, while the third row is really best kept for children on short drives. The available space is better served for cargo.

With the third row up, you get 235L, which expands to 940L if you fold the third row, and 1,655L if both the second and third rows are folded away.

A 15.6-inch rotating infotainment dominates the dash where you can set the tablet-like apparatus at either landscape (my preference as it’s less intrusive and more natural) or portrait. This tech really screams “look at me” from the outside.

Danish high-fidelity audio specialist Dynaudio designed the 12-speaker surround-sound system, which plays my streamed music via Apple CarPlay (Android Auto is also available).

The driver gets a 12.3-inch display for his instrument cluster, just like the Han.

Impressive power, very good range, oodles of space, and a luxurious interior that’s well-specced with goodies. And for a surprisingly palatable P3,321,000, this just might be the best bang-for-the-buck seven-seat EV in the market.