BYD is preparing to “grow up” Seagull: the compact electric car has become larger, more powerful and more dangerous for competitors

Chinese regulators have revealed data about the new generation of BYD Seagull, and the changes turned out to be much larger than expected. The model actually leaves the “micro-EV” class and becomes a full-fledged urban electric vehicle, capable of challenging the leaders of the segment.

New Seagull: now it's almost Dolphin class=»notranslate»>__GTAG8__

While Russian car enthusiasts are discussing the next rise in prices and the shortage of affordable electric vehicles, an event is happening in China that can change the balance of power in the budget segment, writes xrust. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China has published data on the second generation BYD Seagull — and the car has grown noticeably.

If earlier Seagull was perceived as the “younger brother” of the line, now it has added 425 mm in length , reaching 4,205 mm , and the width and height increased to 1,810 mm and 1,570 mm respectively. The wheelbase has stretched to 2,650 mm , which is already comparable to the larger BYD Dolphin.

For the Russian reader, this means a simple thing: the model has ceased to be “tiny” and has become a full-fledged city electric car, comparable in size to popular compact hatchbacks.

Why did BYD radically increase the size

In China, the affordable electric vehicle segment is the most competitive in the world. In 2025, Seagull lost the title of best seller to the Geely Xingyuan (EX2) model, which sold more than 465 thousand machines. The old Seagull was inferior to its rival in terms of length and wheelbase, which directly affected the comfort and perception of the car.

Now BYD has not just caught up with its competitor — it has become longer by 70 mm , completely equal to the base. This is a strategic move: Chinese analysts note that buyers in the budget segment are increasingly choosing larger cars, even when it comes to urban EVs.

Power has almost doubled

The main technical news is a new electric motor with a capacity of 95 kW (129 hp) , which is almost twice as much as the previous 55 kW. Maximum speed is 150 km/h , which is more than enough for a city electric car.

The battery is proprietary Blade LFP , but the capacity has not yet been disclosed. In China, such batteries are famous for their durability and safety, which is important for the Russian market, where the climate and quality of the charging infrastructure place increased demands on battery technology.

Author's analytics: why is this important for Russia

Although Seagull is not officially sold in the Russian Federation, interest in Chinese electric cars is growing rapidly. According to industry analysts, imports of Chinese EVs to Russia increased by more than 60% in 2025–2026. The reasons are obvious:

• affordability;
• lack of European alternatives;
• ease of maintenance;
• adaptation of Chinese models to cold climates.

If you focus on foreign markets, where Seagull is sold under the names Dolphin Mini, Dolphin Surf and Atto 1, the starting price is the equivalent of ≈ 900–950 thousand rubles. (recalculation at the current rate). Even taking into account logistics and duties in Russia, such a car could cost 1.2–1.4 million rubles. , making it one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market.

How the industry is reacting

class=»notranslate»>__GTAG5__ Experts note that BYD is actually creating a new standard in the “affordable EV” segment:

• increase in size without increasing price;
• power at the level of more expensive models;
• LFP batteries that withstand frost better.

Some analysts are already calling the new Seagull “a response to pressure from Geely,” and on social networks, Chinese users write that the model “has ceased to be a toy” and has become “a real car for the family.”

Social networks and audience reaction

In the Chinese Weibo segment, the Seagull discussion was among the top 10 automotive topics of the week. Users note:

• “finally a normal size”;
• “the power has become like that of adult cars”;
• “if the price remains the same, it’s a hit.”

Russian Telegram channels specializing in Chinese cars are also actively discussing the new product. The main question is whether the model will appear at parallel import dealers.

Historical context: how Seagull became a phenomenon

The first generation of Seagull has become one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the world — more than 500 thousand cars in 2025. The success was due to a combination of price, simplicity and economy. But competitors quickly caught up, and BYD had to relaunch the model.

The current update is not cosmetics, but a complete change in philosophy. The Seagull is evolving from a “micro EV” to a “compact EV,” which could change the entire segment.

What's next

Launch in China is expected end of the third quarter of 2026 . If BYD decides to expand exports, the new Seagull could become one of the most interesting options for the Russian market — especially against the backdrop of rising gasoline prices and the popularity of urban electric vehicles.

Sources: https://paultan.org, https://www.autohome.com.cn, https://www.reuters.com

Xrust BYD is preparing to “grow up” Seagull: the compact electric car has become larger, more powerful and more dangerous for competitors