BYD’s cheapest EV is getting an upgrade: Here’s our first look

BYD’s best-selling EV is also its cheapest, starting at under $10,000 in China. Leaked images reveal that BYD’s Seagull EV is getting an upgrade. Check out the new look below.

What to expect from the upgraded BYD Seagull EV

Since launching in April 2023, the Seagull has become a force not only in China but also overseas. The small electric car, known abroad as the Dolphin Mini, is already a top seller in key markets like Brazil.

Starting at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan), the Seagull was a major contributor to BYD’s record sales surge last year.

The Seagull was China’s top-selling vehicle in November, EV or gas-powered, with over 56,100 models sold in November alone. BYD’s low-cost electric car overtook Tesla’s Model Y, with around 44,500 sold during the month.

Despite launching a new Honor Edition last March, BYD’s Seagull EV is due for another upgrade. New images revealed in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) latest release of new energy vehicles set to be sold in the country give us our first look at the new look.

The first thing you will notice is the redesigned front bumper and air intake, giving the mini EV a refined, sportier look.

Another upgrade worth noting is the Seagull now includes a new camera system on the front bumper and side-view mirrors with 360-degree views. The new model will also get front parking sensors.

In terms of size, the Seagull remains the same at 3,780 mm long, 1,715 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. To give you a comparison, that’s even smaller than the now-retired Chevy Bolt EV at 4,145 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, and 1,611 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm.

The low-cost electric car has a standard 55 kW (74 hp) front motor. It’s available with two battery options: 30.1 kWh or 38.9 kWh, good for the 305 km (190 mi) and 405 km (252 mi) CLTC range, respectively.

BYD’s current Seagull EV starts at just 69,800 yuan, or about $9,500. The longer-range “Flying” trim starts at 85,800 yuan, or roughly $11,700.

Prices and additional specs will be revealed closer to the launch, which will be in the first half of 2025. With new features, the range-topping model could see a price rise. However, BYD has aggressively slashed prices on its top-selling models over the past year, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see prices remain about the same or even slightly lower.

Source: CarNewsChina, China MIIT