BYD Seagull

Inside, the BYD Seagull features a high-tech cabin that looks very premium for its price. It offers a nice blend of soft-touch materials and hard plastics. Upfront, you are greeted by a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment display that has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, a voice assistant, 4G connectivity, OTA updating, and BYD’s Cloud Service. Its infotainment display is linked to a 4-speaker sound system. Meanwhile, drivers have access to a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster and a leather multicontrol steering wheel.

Both the first and second rows are spacious enough to effectively accommodate four. However, adding a third passenger at the back might be a bit of a struggle. Its cargo space is decent enough for its size. Additionally, its leather seats, though not the plushiest in its class, still offer good cushioning and ergonomics for everyone on board. For more convenience and functionality, this hatchback also comes with a wireless charger, a 12V power socket, two front USB charging ports (1 Type-A and 1 Type-C), as well as three bottle/cup holders (front center console: 2, rear door panel: 1). 

The BYD Seagull flaunts a sporty design that exudes a mix of aggressiveness and (a little bit of) cuteness wherever it goes. It has a sleek, confident-looking facade illuminated by angular LED projector headlamps along with LED DRLs. It has a black lower grille with a spider web-like pattern, which adds more sportiness to its overall demeanor. 

Furthermore, sharp character lines and a floating roof-like effect give it a nice, futuristic silhouette. This hatchback runs on sporty 16-inch alloy wheels. And, if you liked its front end, then you’ll certainly admire its rear design. It features a hypermodern-looking, striking LED bar as its tail lamp, which sort of gives it a Transformer-like vibe from behind. This also gets fog lamps and a high-mount brake lamp for increased visibility, especially at night.

In terms of dimensions, the BYD Seagull measures 3,780 mm in length, 1,715 mm in width, and 1,580 mm in height. This hatchback has a 2,500 mm wheelbase and a 120 mm laden ground clearance.

In terms of suspension, the BYD Seagull utilizes a combination of a MacPherson Strut at the front, while a Torsion Beam at the rear. Thanks to this suspension setup, you’ll definitely enjoy this hatchback’s very nimble maneuverability in the city. It is light and easy to handle even when passing through bumper-to-bumper traffic and tight parking slots. However, due to this EV’s low ground clearance, large bumps and deep potholes are very noticeable inside. Hence, in order to maximize this hatchback’s comfort level, it is better to pass through smooth, paved roads.

The BYD Seagull runs on a single permanent magnet synchronous motor that generates 75 PS of power and 135 Nm of torque. Its motor is powered by a 30 kWh BYD Blade battery pack that delivers an NEDC driving range of up to 300 km. Its battery has a DC fast charging time of 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. This hatchback utilizes a front-wheel drivetrain and is equipped with three drive modes: Economy, Normal, and Sport.

In the city, this electric hatchback is peppy and is just an enjoyment to drive. On the highway, it can still deliver a nice pull. However, its electric motor tends to struggle a bit when reaching higher speeds. Hence, it is better to think twice before overtaking slower vehicles out on the open road. But, on the plus side, it delivers great efficiency even on shorter-distance trips out of town. Its NVH suppression is also pretty decent for its price.

In terms of safety, the BYD Seagull is equipped with a rear-view camera system, three rear parking sensors, and cruise control. It utilizes ventilated discs for front braking, while solid discs for the rear. Its braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control system, electronic stability control, hydraulic brake assist, vehicle dynamic control system, and a controlled deceleration for parking brake feature among others.

In my opinion, the BYD Seagull is among the locally-available mini EVs that deliver the highest value for money. For its price, it is feature-packed, very usable and practical, and still decently capable on the road. It definitely offers a great and accessible way to shift to electric mobility among budget-oriented consumers.