Plug In Practicality
by: BTM - Tue, 10 Mar 2026
Kristian Harrison test drove the BYD Song Plus and came away impressed by its feature packed tech, from app based remote controls and over the air updates to an instant switch between EV city driving and hybrid cruising.
Step inside and the Song Plus quickly leans into its tech forward personality without becoming fiddly. The rotating 15.6 inch multimedia screen is the headline act, switching orientation at the touch of a button or via voice control, while the layout stays clean and intuitive.
One of the cleverest day-to-day wins is how seamlessly it connects to your phone through the BYD app. Pair the car and you can handle genuinely practical tasks remotely: lock and unlock the doors, switch on the air conditioning before you step outside and even control driver and passenger seat ventilation and heating. It turns the Song Plus into something that feels a little more like a service than a machine, especially when Bahrain’s weather decides to test your patience.
There’s also the quiet confidence of over the air updates. Rather than booking a trip to the showroom to install new software, the car can update itself, meaning fixes and improvements arrive with far less hassle.
Flick of a switch
Under the bonnet, the Song Plus combines a 1.5Ti engine with BYD’s lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery.
In pure EV mode, the quoted electric range sits at 110km, which is enough to handle most commutes around the Kingdom without using fuel at all. Then, when the journey changes, the car adapts with you.
With a simple toggle, you can swap from pure EV for city driving to hybrid for highways and longer runs. That flexibility is what makes the Song Plus feel so well judged: quiet and clean when you are crawling through traffic, then ready for distance without range anxiety dictating your plans.
On the move, the instant torque is the bit that will catch most drivers off guard in the best way. With plenty of torque on tap, it responds sharply and smoothly, making overtakes feel effortless and roundabouts far less of a negotiation.
Practical extras
The Song Plus is packed with features that do not just sound good in a brochure, they earn their keep. Vehicle to Load (V2L) is a standout, letting the battery act as a power source for appliances and gadgets. Think weekend trips, camping setups, portable coffee kit, whatever your version of outdoors looks like.
Safety and convenience are also well covered, with systems such as Lane Keeping Assistance, Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking, plus a 360° around view monitor that makes tight parking far less dramatic.
Dual zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep the cabin easy to live with, while the overall space and air filtration add a calm, premium feel.
A final note for the season: there is a special Ramadan offer currently running, with up to BD1,000 discount, bundled with a full service, insurance and warranty package.
For more information,
BYD showroom in Sitra
17217217
Digital Edition
Bahrain This Month
June 2026
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