New BYD Seagull (2026): Bigger, Rear-Wheel Drive, and Cheaper Than Before

The new-generation BYD Seagull launches in China with a larger body, a rear-mounted motor, up to 420 km of range and a starting price of 65,900 yuan. Full specs, features and pricing.

The BYD Seagull has been one of the most affordable and successful electric cars on the market since it debuted in spring 2023. Now BYD has launched an all-new second generation in China, with full pricing and trim details. The new model is noticeably larger and more powerful than the original, switches from front-wheel to rear-wheel drive, and still starts at a lower price.

From China to the World: The Seagull’s Many Names

The original Seagull quickly became a global model and is sold under different names depending on the market:

Europe: BYD Dolphin Surf
Latin America: BYD Dolphin Mini
Southeast Asia and Australia: BYD Atto 1

The first details of the second-generation car appeared in a filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in mid-2026. BYD followed with an official announcement, and the car has now had its full market launch in China.

BYD’s second-generation Seagull arrives with a more confident face as the brand moves its smallest hatchback upmarket.

Exterior Design: A More Grown-Up Look

The new BYD Seagull keeps the overall style of the original hatchback but looks more substantial. Key design changes include:

Longer headlights, each with three LED sections
Split rear lights replacing the previous design
A more sculpted front panel (there is no engine under the “bonnet”)
Bulkier front and rear bumpers
Larger trim inserts on the rear pillars
Six exterior paint colours

Dimensions: A Significant Jump in Size

The second-generation Seagull has grown considerably and now sits closer to the compact class than the city car segment:

Length: 4,205 mm (+425 mm compared with the Chinese-market first generation)
Width: 1,810 mm (+95 mm)
Height: 1,570 mm (+30 mm)
Wheelbase: 2,650 mm (+150 mm)

Even the entry-level version now rides on 16-inch wheels, while the cheapest version of the previous car uses 15-inch rims.

The redesigned body gives the Seagull the stance of a family hatchback rather than a city runabout.

Interior: Five Seats and a Redesigned Cabin

The extra size pays off inside. The new Seagull is now a full five-seater, while the previous model offered four proper seats. Interior highlights include:

Three interior colour schemes
A new dashboard and two-spoke steering wheel
A redesigned two-tier centre console, with an optional tissue compartment under the upper tier
Central air vents moved higher up, with physical buttons now placed below them (previously they sat above the vents)
No separate instrument cluster: key driving information is shown on the left side of the central infotainment screen

Practicality and Storage

Boot capacity: 380 litres, expanding to 1,380 litres with the rear seats folded
Front trunk (frunk): an additional 94 litres

A cleaner, more modern cabin shows BYD’s push to make budget electric cars feel less like budget cars.

Equipment and Trim Levels

Standard Equipment

Every new BYD Seagull comes with:

12.8-inch central touchscreen
Climate control
360-degree camera system
Basic cruise control

Mid-Range Trims

Higher trim levels add:

Wireless smartphone charging
Heated and ventilated front seats, plus a massage function for the driver
Rear air vents at the end of the centre console
Storage drawers under the rear seats

Top-of-the-Range Version

The flagship trim gets:

Powered tailgate
Built-in dashcam
Larger 15.6-inch central screen
BYD’s God’s Eye B driver assistance suite with a roof-mounted lidar, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring

Technology once found only on pricier models is now making its way into BYD’s entry-level hatchback.

Powertrain, Battery and Range

Like its predecessor, the new Seagull uses a single electric motor, but it has moved from the front axle to the rear, making the car rear-wheel drive. Both versions use BYD’s second-generation Blade battery.

Entry-Level Version

Power: 116 hp
Torque: 130 Nm
Battery: 30.1 kWh
Range: up to 320 km (about 199 miles) on the CLTC cycle

Top Version

Power: 129 hp (same 130 Nm of torque)
Battery: 39.2 kWh
Range: up to 420 km (about 261 miles) on the CLTC cycle
Fast charging: 10% to 97% in just nine minutes

Performance and Weight

0–50 km/h: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)
Kerb weight: 1,170 kg or 1,255 kg, depending on the version

Moving the motor to the back could give the new Seagull a livelier feel in everyday driving.

How It Compares With the First-Generation Seagull

The outgoing Chinese-market Seagull is far less powerful:

Power: 75 hp and 135 Nm
Battery options: 30.8 kWh or 38.88 kWh
Range: 305 km or 405 km respectively

In short, the new model offers around 55–70% more power and slightly more range, along with a much bigger body.

The new Seagull puts fresh pressure on rival budget EVs, both in China and in the export markets it’s expected to reach.

Price and Availability

Before discounts, the new BYD Seagull costs 65,900 to 99,900 yuan in China (roughly $9,900 to $15,000).

Remarkably, the new car undercuts its predecessor. The first-generation Seagull remains on sale for now, but its entry-level version starts at 69,900 yuan (about $10,500) before promotions, which makes it more expensive than the larger, more powerful new model.

Sales of the new Seagull have already begun in China. The car is expected to reach other markets, including Europe as the next Dolphin Surf, most likely in 2027.

Photo: Sergey Sechnev
This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Новый BYD Seagull: премьера в Китае

By Sofia Laurent

Published October 23, 2026 • 5m to read