If you are looking to buy an EV from China, you need to get yourself properly informed on the model you want to buy. This involves learning what the car offers to you as a buyer.
This is why we created this article to get you up to speed with the BYD Seagull and BYD Dolphin. These two are some of the most popular EVs that BYD offers right now. So, we will compare them in a few key areas such as price, design, practicality, autopilot, and more. If you want to learn more, follow along.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Specs
Let’s start first with the specs. Knowing the specs will help you make a good decision when it comes to these two models. For this purpose, we created a small table where we list all of the important numbers for you!
| Model | BYD Seagull | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|---|
| Variant | Vitality Edition | Base |
| Price | $10,690 | $13,000 |
| Battery (kWh) | 30 kWh | 30 kWh |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| WLTP Range (km) | 300 km | 300 km |
| Power Output (kW) | 55 kW | 70 kW |
| Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | 13 seconds | 10.5 seconds |
| Plug Types (AC/DC) | Type 2 & CCS2 | Type 2 & CCS2 |
| Max Charge Rate (AC/DC) | 6.6/40 | 6.6/88 |
| Cargo Space (liters) | 930 liters | 345 liters |
| Frunk Cargo Space | No | No |
| Length (mm) | 3,780 mm | 4,070 mm |
| Width (mm) | 1,715 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Height (mm) | 1,540 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Running Clearance | 155 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Tow Rating | No | No |
| V2L | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 6 years/150,000km | 6 years/150,000km |
| Battery Warranty | 8 years/160,000km | 8 years/160,000km |
| Loyalty Program | Yes | Yes |
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Price
The price of the vehicle is probably one of the determining factors of whether or not this is a good deal for you as a buyer.
EVs are expensive and can cost an arm and a leg compared to regular internal combustion alternatives.
Luckily for you, both the BYD Dolphin and the BYD Seagull can be considered as excellent deals.
These models are some of the most affordable EVs that money can buy right now.
The BYD Seagull starts as low as $10,690 and the BYD Dolphin starts at $13,000 in China.
And as you can see, these models are well within reach of the normal buyer. So, if you want to get a good car for a good price, these models are perfect for you!.
Even for the well-equipped models you will spend up to $12,480 for the Seagull and $16,930 for the BYD Dolphin.
But overall, the BYD Seagull can be considered as a better alternative because of its lower price. So, this is the clear winner in this comparison.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Design and Interior
Exterior design plays a very vital role when it comes to choosing a new vehicle. This is the aspect that sells cars. A car has to look rather good in order for people to buy it. So, how do these two models perform?
Well, both of these models are well-designed and look rather modern. They implement sleek design and have that EV vibe.
However, the BYD Seagull is far more conservative in its design compared to the BYD Dolphin. And this is understandable because the Seagull is more like an entry level vehicle. It is placed below the Dolphin in terms of size.
With the BYD Dolphin, there is so much going on in terms of the design language. While the design of the BYD Seagull is cleaner looking and rather simple. This is why we think that the Dolphin has a better exterior design compared to the Seagull.
When it comes to the interior of these models, both of them look rather spartan. Meaning that they lack a lot of the equipment that more capable models include. But this does not mean that they look bad.
The dash is well designed on both of these models with a beautiful dual tone setup. The materials are good for this price point and overall the cabin in both of these models is a really nice place to be in.
However, the BYD Dolphin is roomier compared to the BYD Seagull and this is why this model gets our vote when it comes to the interior. This is why if you want to get a good looking model that has enough room for everything, the BYD Dolphin is the way to go!
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Power and Performance
Power and performance is really important when it comes to buying a new car. A car has to deliver the performance in order to be considered a good purchase. Especially when it comes to EVs that are highly regarded for their performance.
So, how do the BYD Dolphin and BYD Seagull perform? Well, we can tell you that both of these models are no powerhouses by any means. These are entry level models and are not meant for high-performance and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h.
The BYD Seagull develops about 50 kW from the single electric motor. This is about 67 hp. While the BYD Dolphin is more powerful and this model develops about 93 horsepower.
And as you can see, the BYD Dolphin is the more powerful model. This model will give you an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 10.5 seconds. While with the BYD Seagull, you have an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 13 seconds.
The Dolphin has a 2.5 seconds better acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h. And considering this, the BYD Dolphin is the better model from the two when it comes to performance.
And if you go with the more powerful Dolphin that puts out 130 kW, you can have an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under 7.5 seconds.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Battery and Range
When choosing your future EV, the battery capacity and the range that you get should be one of your top priorities. We are saying this because range anxiety is a real thing and can become a real frustration if you get a vehicle that has mediocre battery and range.
When it comes to these two vehicles, we can say that both of them are good city cruisers. But if you drive a lot on the highway, you will struggle for range. For example, the BYD Seagull has a 30 kWh battery pack. This battery pack will be good for 300 km of range.
The same story goes for the BYD Dolphin, this model also comes as standard with a 30 kWh battery pack that is good for 300 km.
If you pay extra and get a larger battery pack, you will be able to get more from these two models. Which is about 400 km for both of these EVs.
So, considering the numbers and the performance that these models deliver, we can say that they are pretty matched in this aspect.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Autopilot and Other Tech
Another highly important aspect that sells these days is the autopilot and other safety technology. So, how do these models perform in this area? Both of these models are good for Level 2 autonomy and have an autopilot for the highway. So, what does this mean?
Well, this means that these models have adaptive cruise control. At least the more expensive versions of these models. This means that you can drive on the highway with little interference. The car will adjust itself and the distance between your car and the cars in front of you.
Behind the adaptive cruise control is the powerful ADAS system. This is the Advanced Driving Assistance System. This system uses cameras, sensors, and powerful radars to monitor the surroundings around you and make instant decisions.
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This system offers plenty of features, such as the adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, front collision warning, automated emergency braking, park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic brake, and traffic sign recognition.
It really depends on your budget and how much you can spend to activate all of these features in your BYD. Both of these models offer pretty much the same features and we can say that the BYD Seagull and the BYD Dolphin are pretty equal in this category.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Size and Body
Size and body is a huge factor when it comes to choosing the right car for you. Especially when it comes to small vehicles such as the BYD Seagull and BYD Dolphin.
And since these two models are hatchbacks, they both perform fairly well in this area. However, the BYD Seagull is smaller so understandably, this model offers less compared to the BYD Dolphin.
But when you fold the seats down in the BYD Seagull, you can release cargo space of up to 935 liters. With the rear seats up, you have about 200 liters of cargo space in the BYD Seagull. Which is not a lot but still enough for your groceries.
While with the BYD Dolphin you have more space. With the rear seats folded down, you have up to 1,310 liters and with the rear seats up you have about 345 liters of cargo capacity.
Both of these models do not have a tow rating since they are EVs and are rather small.
Overall, the BYD Dolphin is the better deal since this model offers more space for the driver, passengers, and space for cargo. This is why if you are looking for something practical, this is the model you want!
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Safety
Safety should always be one of the biggest concerns when it comes to choosing a car for you. A vehicle needs to deliver in terms of safety in order to be considered as a good purchase.
What is worth mentioning is that both of these models implement ADAS. This is a special safety system that implements many sensors, cameras, and software to improve the safety of the driver and the occupants.
As we noted previously, the features in this system include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more.
Both of these models have an ADAS system and the functions that you can use, really depend on how much you have to spend on these options. But in our opinion, adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking are must-have features.
Besides this, these models were rigorously crash-tested by the C-NCAP. Which is the highest governing body in China when it comes to safety. The BYD Dolphin was also tested by the Euro NCAP, where it got clean 5/5 stars overall. Which makes it one of the best cars in its class.
This is why if safety is your biggest concern, the BYD Dolphin is the model that you need. This model is larger and will protect you more compared to the smaller BYD Seagull.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Warranties
Warranty is also important for you as a buyer. Warranty gives you safety in case a big problem appears. Especially EV batteries and powertrains can be problematic. They don’t have one of the best longevity out there.
And since these two models are made by BYD, they both perform similarly. With both of these models you get 8 years or 160,000 km on the battery. As well as 6 years or 160,000 as an overall vehicle warranty.
Considering this, we can say that the warranty that BYD offers covers quite a lot and it is probably one of the few companies that offer such warranties.
BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin: Additional Considerations
When it comes to these two models, there are no important considerations that you need to take. Maybe besides the size of the vehicles. Overall, the BYD Dolphin is larger than the BYD Seagull and is more practical.
Final Thoughts
Overall, making a decision between the BYD Seagull and the BYD Dolphin is a really easy thing to do.
We can recommend that you go for the BYD Seagull if you work with a limited budget. And go for the BYD Dolphin if you have more money to spend on a car. If you have the budget, it does not make a lot of sense to choose a small car like the BYD Seagull.
The BYD Dolphin should always be your primary option in this situation. This model is larger, performs better, and overall it is a better vehicle compared to the BYD Seagull.
