Review: The 2026 Wuling Darion PHEV — The Family MPV That Makes Hybrids Make Sense

Plug-in hybrid MPVs have felt out of reach for most Bruneian families — until now. The Wuling Darion PHEV arrives with seven seats, electric sliding doors, and a claimed 1,000km-plus range, starting from BND 36,000.

What if your family MPV could run on electric power for the school run and switch to petrol for the highway out to KB? That's the pitch behind the Wuling Darion PHEV, launched in February 2026 by Premier Motor Co and now on display at their Beribi showroom. Starting from BND 36,000, it's one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids you can buy in Brunei — and it seats seven. But is it any good? Let's break it down.

First Impressions

The Darion is a proper mid-size MPV. At 4,910mm long with a 2,910mm wheelbase, it has genuine presence without being unwieldy in Brunei's tighter carparks. The design is clean — LED headlights with daytime running lights, and a silhouette that looks more lifestyle MPV than utilitarian people-mover. The dual electric sliding doors catch your eye before you even get inside.

Colour options include Haze Grey, Frosty White, Starry Black, and Orchid Purple. The Orchid Purple is the standout — distinctive without being flashy, and a nice break from the usual monochrome MPV choices around town.

Inside the Cabin

Step inside and the cabin surprises you with what you'd expect at this price. The centrepiece is a 12.8-inch touchscreen that handles climate, driving modes, and infotainment. The interior mixes walnut brown and carbon black with soft-touch panels and synthetic leather. It feels slightly quality.

You get wireless charging, smart voice control for hands-free operation, and the EX variant adds ventilated electric captain seats in the second row. Both sides get electric sliding doors — Wuling calls them AutoComfort doors — which makes loading kids or groceries a one-button affair.

The second-row captain chairs are comfortable for adults, and the third row is genuinely usable rather than just technically present. Fold the rear seats flat and you open up 1,200 litres of cargo space. An electric sunroof adds airiness, and there are charging points across all three rows.

The Driving Experience

The Darion PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with a 145kW electric motor, producing 230Nm of torque through a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. The 20.5kWh lithium iron phosphate battery delivers up to 125km of pure electric driving (CLTC), with a 52-litre fuel tank extending combined range past 1,000km. Four driving modes — EV Max, EV First, Hybrid, and Fuel Priority — let you choose how the two power sources work together.

Around Gadong and Mulaut, the Darion is impressively smooth. In EV mode, it's quiet and responsive — perfect for daily errands without touching the petrol tank. On the highway towards Muara, the hybrid system blends in seamlessly, and the independent rear suspension keeps things comfortable over uneven stretches. It's a family MPV that prioritises comfort and efficiency, and it does both well. The range headline is real, too — Wuling recently demonstrated the Darion covering 1,200km from Jakarta to Bali on a single charge and full tank.

Safety and Tech

The Darion comes with Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) as standard, covering adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and a 360-degree camera. Six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and tyre pressure monitoring round out the package. The Magic Battery Pro adds another layer of confidence — engineered around what Wuling calls "5 Zero Safety," covering fire, water, impact, thermal runaway, and leakage protection. For a family MPV at this price, the safety spec is comprehensive.

Value for Money

This is where the Darion makes its case. Try finding another seven-seater PHEV in Brunei with electric sliding doors, ventilated captain seats, a sunroof, and Level 2 ADAS — and then check the price. Starting at BND 36,000, it undercuts most traditional seven-seater MPVs before you factor in fuel savings from daily electric driving. Against the Toyota Innova or other conventional MPVs, the Darion offers something fundamentally different: hybrid efficiency with everyday EV capability.

Final Thoughts

The Wuling Darion PHEV makes you rethink what's possible at this price point. It's spacious, efficient, well-equipped, and genuinely practical for Bruneian families. The brand is still new here, so this isn't the safe pick — and you'll want to factor in the smaller service network compared to Japanese Giants. But if you want a modern family MPV that handles the school run on electric power and still makes it to Miri without breaking a sweat, the Darion deserves serious consideration.

You can view the Darion at the Premier Motor Co showroom in Beribi, with service also available at their Kuala Belait branch.