2024 BYD Seagull first drive: Finally, a sub-P1M EV that isn’t a glorified golf cart
Electric vehicles (EV) have undoubtedly grown in popularity in the Philippines in recent years, thanks to generous government incentives that helped open the floodgates for a wide range of models.
Although cheap EVs have long tried to make a mark locally, these were often stymied by their appallingly bad value for money. From the pathetic battery range to build quality that wouldn’t pass muster in a grade-school arts and crafts class, these vehicles were more miserable to drive than a Little Tykes Coupe.
But with major car manufacturers now hurling their financial and engineering might into this steadily growing vehicle segment, little EVs have grown into viable forms of mobility that not only offer substantial performance and cost advantages over their gasoline-powered counterparts, but also preserve your dignity.
Case in point is the all-new BYD Seagull, which was officially launched on Friday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Pasay City. With a pricetag near the P900,000 mark, it aims to win the hearts of first-time car buyers and those who want an extra vehicle that can do errands around town, while being peppy, economical and fun.
We got the chance to try out the Seagull ahead of its launch. Would BYD Philippines’ new ocean friend sink or swim as it makes its way to our shores?
Exciting appearance
Small cars often have cutesy looks and vivid colors, as if fun were some way to compensate for the diminutive dimensions.
However, the Seagull starts off aggressive with pointed LED headlights and a scowling lower bumper opening. I think it looks like a tiny Lamborghini Aventador, especially in the very fetching Sprout Green paint scheme.
The side profile is no less boring – black alloy wheels, styled black plastic on the doors and an upward kink to the D-pillar emphasize the “wheels at each corner” appearance, akin to the original Mini Cooper. Out back, the LED taillights emphasize the Seagull’s width, while the large tailgate spoiler provides a youthful look.
Inside, the Seagull feels much more premium than other cars in this class – there is two-tone, black-and-blue leather upholstery abound, although BYD could really have made a class-leading cabin by putting soft-touch materials on the dashboard and the door cards.
There is plenty of room for four passengers, with rear occupants easily getting in and out courtesy of the fairly large rear doors. As with other cars in this class, a fifth passenger is too much of a squeeze (there’s the Dolphin or ATTO 3 if you need a more capacious BYD EV).
However, the wireless charging pad, reversing camera and 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome touches normally seen in cars costing double the price.
A fine town car
I got the chance to drive the Seagull in a closed course in the pouring rain.
First off, neither I nor anyone near the car was electrocuted, even after I repeatedly drove through a puddle at speed so that Inquirer Mobility PH’s photographer/videographer Tope Crisostomo could get our awesome driving shot.
Powered by a single electric motor mated to a 30-kWh battery, the Seagull’s 73 horsepower and 135 Newton-meters of torque was more than enough to zip through city traffic – its tiny turning radius not only makes parking hilariously easy, but also makes this a great gymkhana car.
In addition, the steering was quick but quite numb, while the strong brakes occasionally felt too grabby, especially at low speeds. But even at triple-digit speeds in the wet, this baby BYD confidently maintained its course, despite its fairly narrow 16-inch tires.
The Seagull is likewise equipped with a well-tuned electronic stability control system that kept the car steady as I ducked and dove around imaginary obstacles. The soft springs allow for a supple ride and more predictable handling, at the expense of considerable body roll.
BYD Philippines claims a maximum range of 300 kilometers – charging is much easier thanks to the standard CCS2 port, while the vehicle-to-load capability means you can turn the Seagull into the “greenest” power bank around.
Ferocious fight ahead
BYD Philippines has made clear that the Seagull is aimed squarely at the entry-level subcompact hatchback segment.
It fares well against the top-of-the-line models of the Toyota Wigo, Honda Brio and the long-in-the-tooth Mitsubishi Mirage. However, some may be wary of the considerable cost difference, despite the Seagull’s more advanced technology and better equipment levels.
And among EV rivals like the three-door Jetour Ice Cream, Wuling Bingo and Dongfeng Nanobox, the Seagull is not only better-equipped, but is also backed by a robust dealer network and comes with arguably the best EV engineering on the planet.
Given that the Seagull is from the same manufacturer that swept Filipinos off their feet and into the showroom with the ATTO 3 and the Sealion 6 DM-i, expect this to be yet another game- changing model from a brand that’s got plenty of surprises.
