BYD Seagull – BYD unveiled the 2026 Seagull/Dolphin Mini and Dolphin Surf with optional LiDAR driving tech, 190–252 miles range, and a price starting at about $10,300.
A BYD electric car is aiming directly at the budget end of the market. and the standout detail is how quickly advanced sensing is being pulled into cheaper vehicles.. The 2026 Seagull—sold internationally as the Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf—was officially unveiled with pricing in China that starts at about $10. 300. and at least some versions can be equipped with LiDAR.
The updated compact EV, introduced at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, begins at 69,900 yuan (roughly $10,300) in China and rises to 85,900 yuan (around $12,600). Sales are set to begin this week, marking the point where the company’s revised feature mix moves from announcement to customers.
For buyers looking at what changes with the higher trims. the top two 2026 Seagull versions are reported to include LiDAR plus BYD’s DiPilot-300 and DiLink-150 hardware package.. In practical terms. that bundle is described as adding both the sensor and the related computing needed for the latest smart-car capabilities.. That configuration comes at a meaningful premium: it adds about 12. 000 yuan compared with the standard DiPilot-100 setup. keeping the car’s overall positioning firmly in the sub-$15. 000 conversation.
The most ambitious option is the “God’s Eye B” intelligence driving package. known as the DiPilot 300 system. which adds a LiDAR sensor to the subcompact city car.. Pricing for that package is described as taking the vehicle to a range of about $13,400 to $14,400, depending on the configuration.. While the price still targets cost-conscious buyers, the feature set is framed as bringing more capable assistance into everyday driving.
The DiPilot 300 system is described as delivering city-level navigation on autopilot, including traffic light recognition and roundabout handling.. That combination matters because it tackles some of the trickier decision points in dense urban routes. rather than limiting assistance to simpler highway-style lane following.. In this context. BYD is effectively positioning semi-autonomous driving features inside a price band where many buyers elsewhere still shop for used vehicles rather than brand-new driver-assist-equipped electrics.
Range figures split by battery choice. One variant uses a 38.88 kWh battery pack and is claimed to deliver up to 252 miles of CLTC-certified range. Base versions, by contrast, use a 30.08 kWh battery pack and are claimed to reach up to 190 miles under the same CLTC testing framework.
The Seagull update continues to center on the idea of a compact city EV, and the powertrain reflects that intent.. BYD equips the car with a 55 kW motor producing 135 Nm of torque. numbers that may seem modest at a glance but align with the vehicle’s role in stop-and-go traffic and short commuting.. The overall specification is tuned for practical urban use rather than performance-led expectations.
Inside, the car is built around a 12.8-inch central touchscreen that supports navigation and 3D vehicle controls.. For everyday convenience. certain optional add-ons are listed. including 50W wireless charging. heated front seats. and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat—features aimed at making a budget-friendly EV feel less stripped down.
Taken together. the 2026 Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Dolphin Surf refresh suggests BYD is treating LiDAR-equipped assistance as something that can scale down in price rather than remain locked to premium models.. With the DiPilot 300 package described as moving into the mid–$13. 000 to $14. 000 range. the update highlights how quickly advanced driver assistance is becoming a competitive differentiator in the mass market.
By pushing LiDAR into a sub-$15. 000 bracket. the launch also raises the bar for what many shoppers may come to expect when comparing new city EVs.. Even if drivers don’t rely on autopilot-style functions in every trip. the presence of traffic-aware features such as traffic light recognition and roundabout handling at these price points could shift buyer perceptions of what “smart” means for everyday driving.
BYD Seagull LiDAR EV DiPilot 300 Dolphin Mini Dolphin Surf smart driving package EV range