BYD’s Seagull returns to the Chinese market with a major jump in size and muscle. The overhaul puts pressure on rivals and leaves the car’s European future hanging in the balance.
BYD has thrown out the old playbook for its entry-level electric car. The second-generation Seagull now stretches to 4.21 meters, up 42.5 centimeters from the last model. That pushes it out of the microcar bracket and into the world of larger hatchbacks.
The changes run deeper than the tape measure. The wheelbase grows to 2.65 meters, up from 2.5. Seating expands from four to five, and a front trunk adds 94 liters of storage. The rear motor now delivers 127 CV (95 kW), a 73% jump over the previous 55 kW. BYD has sold about 1.55 million Seagulls since 2023, but this new version signals a shift in how the company sees its cheapest EV.
According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the new Seagull is equipped with a rear electric motor delivering a top speed of 150 km/h.
For city drivers, the Seagull’s growth cuts both ways. More length and cabin space mean better comfort, especially in the back. But the car’s original strengths—tight handling and easy parking—may take a hit. Designers have tried to disguise the extra bulk with a rising beltline, floating roof, and trident-shaped headlights. Chinese buyers will get six color choices: green and pink, orange and blue, white and grey.
Inside, the Seagull aims higher. Top trims will feature a double screen setup for driver and passenger, a massage function for the driver’s seat, and LiDAR tech. BYD hasn’t revealed the standard rear trunk size, but with the back seats folded, the company claims up to 1,380 liters of cargo room.
BYD remains silent on whether this new Seagull will land in Europe. The Dolphin Surf sold in Spain is based on the earlier Chinese Seagull, but the two differ. The European Dolphin Surf already measures 3.99 meters and offers five seats and up to 156 CV. The new Chinese Seagull beats it in both length and wheelbase, even topping the Dolphin G at 4.16 meters. No word yet if the next Dolphin Surf will follow suit, but BYD’s rapid-fire launches suggest more news is coming.
Independent reports referencing official registration data indicate that the new Seagull will be offered with two battery options: 30 kWh and 39.2 kWh. However, BYD has not yet disclosed official range figures or charging speeds for these variants.
Chinese buyers can already reserve the new Seagull with a refundable 2,000 yuan deposit. Key specs like battery capacity, certified range, and charging speed remain under wraps. The official launch in China is set before the end of 2026. For now, the Seagull has left behind its bare-bones city car roots and is moving up as a full utility vehicle.
Chinese automakers are ramping up their push into Europe with bigger, better-equipped EVs. BYD’s Great Tang SUV, for example, broke sales records in China and is preparing for a European debut, as reported in recent registration updates. The competition is heating up at every price level.
BYD’s move to bulk up the Seagull could force rivals to rethink their own entry-level EVs. The new Seagull’s size, power, and features set a different bar for what a budget electric car can deliver.
