BYD Seagull 2025 Review 

The BYD Seagull isn’t officially confirmed for Australia, but it’s firmly back in contention now that BYD is factory backed and handling its own local imports. Given the slightly larger BYD Dolphin already retails from $29,990 (plus on-road costs), the Seagull – being a smaller, city-focused electric hatch – should logically be priced in the mid-to-high $20K range if it lands. That kind of positioning would make it the most affordable EV in the country.

In China, the Seagull is offered with either a 30.08-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery or a more advanced 38.88kWh LFP Blade Battery, offering claimed CLTC ranges of 305km and 405km respectively. DC fast charging supports up to 40kW, while a single e-motor drives the front wheels. Producing 55kW and 135Nm, the Seagull has a leisurely claimed 0-100km/h time of 14.9 seconds, but that’s in line with its urban-focused brief.

At just 3.78 metres long, it has a truly tiny footprint – shorter than a Kia Picanto – making it ideal for tight city parking and narrow laneways. The Seagull’s compact proportions and light kerb weight (just over 1200kg) contribute to its nimble feel in low-speed environments.

Despite its bargain positioning, the Seagull doesn’t skimp on features. There’s BYD’s rotatable 10.1-inch infotainment screen, a 5-inch digital cluster, ‘DiPilot 100’ active safety systems, six airbags, and USB-A, USB-C, and 12V power points. It also comes with some fun colour options – like the pink-on-pink interior of our test car.

The Seagull punches well above its size and weight class. It’s a tidy and cheerful city car with a high-tech cabin, quirky styling touches, and decent practicality for its size. Visibility is surprisingly good, the cabin layout is intuitive, and there’s enough space even for taller passengers in the front. The faux leather seats are both comfortable and supportive, with the driver’s seat benefiting from electric adjustment – rare at this end of the market – while the passenger makes do with manual controls.

Storage is tight but workable, with door pockets that can accommodate small water bottles, a usable glovebox, and two decent-sized cup holders in the centre console along with a small secondary shelf beneath.

It’s also packed with equipment you wouldn’t expect in a car of this size or price, including customisable drive modes, advanced driver-assistance tech, a wireless phone charger, and BYD’s ever-improving user interface. Unusually for a micro car, it even features rear disc brakes – likely included to help manage the extra weight of the underfloor battery pack, and a welcome inclusion for a city car that prioritises active safety. With the larger, more advanced Blade Battery, real-world range is expected to be in the mid-to-high 300km bracket – plenty for urban commuting.

Despite having access to vehicles 10 times its price at the same test venue, the Seagull quickly became the crowd favourite during our media event in China. We only had a short loop to evaluate it, but it proved to be a real hoot to punt around. Its low weight, small footprint, and eager electric motor combine to deliver an engaging, chuckable driving experience that’s more fun than it has any right to be. It’s perfectly suited to city streets and tight parking spots, where it thrives with agility and charm.

Build quality is a bit hit and miss. Panel gaps were noticeable on our test car, and there’s plenty of hard plastic throughout the cabin. While the touchpoints are mostly soft and well-trimmed, it’s obvious this is a cost-conscious vehicle.

The Seagull is strictly a four-seater with rear passengers getting zero amenities – no air vents, USB ports or even a centre armrest. Boot space is modest, there’s no frunk, and no spare tyre or tyre repair kit is included. Steering adjustment is tilt-only and visibility past the thick C-pillars is limited.

The Seagull isn’t fast to charge by today’s ultra-rapid standards, but its modest 40kW max charging speed is a deliberate trade-off. By forgoing high-voltage charging hardware, BYD has saved on weight and cost – two crucial advantages in a micro-EV like this. The result is a car that’s lighter on its feet and kinder on the hip pocket. And while 40kW won’t win any records, it’s still capable of recharging the Seagull in under an hour at most public DC charging stations around Australia.

There are still a few unknowns around the Seagull’s local prospects, including how it might perform in ANCAP crash testing. Australia’s crash lab is among the toughest in the world, and while the Seagull features six airbags plus passive and active safety tech, its tiny footprint and lightweight construction may prove challenging in local assessments.

If BYD can bring it to Australia under $30K, the Seagull could reset expectations for affordable electric motoring. It’s a fun, functional, tech-laden city car with plenty of personality and real-world usability. While it lacks polish in places and space is limited, its value proposition is compelling. I genuinely enjoyed driving this car and I hope it makes it to Australia.

It’s already at the top of my shopping list – and, unlike its namesake, there’s nothing annoying about this Seagull. It’s light, clever, and surprisingly refined for something this affordable. If it lands in Australia at the right price, it’ll be flying off showroom floors.

2025 BYD Seagull at a glance:
Price: Not confirmed (est. sub-$30K if it comes to Australia)
Available: TBC
Powertrain: Single 55kW permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 55kW/135Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 30.08kWh lithium iron phosphate or 38.88kWh LFP Blade Battery
Range: 305 to 405km (CLTC)
Energy consumption: TBC
Safety rating: Not tested

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