I learned that yes, BYD’s ultra budget hatchback is all it’s cracked up to be.
Now, you’ve likely already seen videos elsewhere and even read articles at other places about the BYD Dolphin Surf, which is a version of the Seagull meant for European consumption. The Dolphin Surf seems to be good, it adds more power, range and length (for crash standards) to the city-car-sized Seagull, making it palatable to European buyers.
But the unit I drove in China didn’t have all of that. It had the shorter bumpers, less power and less range. On the other hand, the BYD dealer did let me drive the recently facelifted model with BYD’s “God’s Eye” assisted driving software, and updated infotainment.
Even if BYD managed to sell the Seagull overseas (which it has) for roughly double the price, I think it still would have been a compelling car. It’s smooth riding, sophisticated and well finished, not something I can say about any car this cheap, no matter gas or electric.
I was in the Seagull for about an hour and a half.
There is a 3 minute video at the link.