BYD’s smallest electric vehicle (EV) hatch, the BYD Seagull, is set to receive an all-new generation model after filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) surfaced. According to a report from CarNewsChina, the new model has grown by a staggering 425 mm in length over its predecessor, meaning BYD’s smallest model may not be all that small anymore.
The all-new BYD Seagull now measures 4,205 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, and 1,570 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm — the latter also now 150 mm longer than its predecessor. This places it much closer to the larger BYD Dolphin and its hugely successful rival, the Geely Xingyuan (known as the Proton e.MAS 5 in Malaysia).
The filings also reveal a significant power upgrade. The all-new BYD Seagull now features a new electric motor producing 95 kW (129 hp), a substantial improvement over the previous 55 kW (75 hp) unit. Top speed has also increased from 130 km/h to 150 km/h. Kerb weight is listed between 1,180 kg and 1,255 kg, suggesting multiple battery options. The hatchback also receives a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery supplied by FinDreams, although its capacity has yet to be disclosed.
As for its looks, the all-new BYD Seagull no longer looks as dinky as it used to due to its significantly lengthened proportions. Its 16-inch wheels also seem slightly smaller now due to its larger body.
Even so, it retains the same sharp and angular design language. Up front, the Seagull gets larger headlights that ditch the previous vertical daytime running light signature in favour of a more conventional horizontal arrangement. The redesigned front bumper also retains the fang-like side intakes, which this time appear to be functional rather than merely decorative.
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Along the sides, the black cladding has been enlarged, while the signature zig-zag motif on the C-pillars remains. At the rear, the slim taillights are largely unchanged, but the bumper adopts a more aggressive design with a prominent diffuser-like element.
The car is sold under different names around the world, including the Dolphin Mini in Latin America, Dolphin Surf in Europe, and Atto 1 in Asia-Pacific markets such as Indonesia and Thailand. However, it has never been offered in Malaysia, as local assembly would have been necessary to achieve the low price that defines the model.
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The BYD Seagull was once China’s most popular EV until the Geely Xingyuan spoiled the party in 2025, going on to rack up more than 530,000 cumulative sales. Fast forward to June 2026, and the gap has only widened, with China EV DataTracker reporting 33,359 Xingyuan deliveries compared to just 9,825 for the Seagull.
Perhaps that’s exactly why BYD has decided to supersize its smallest EV. While the company has yet to explain the Seagull’s dramatic growth spurt, making it larger and considerably more powerful looks like a clear attempt to take the fight back to the Xingyuan. Then again, the Geely isn’t standing still either, with a mild update already in the pipeline that promises more driving range and updated equipment.
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