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2026 BYD Seagull GLX Review

Is BYD's pricier entry-level EV worth the premium over its budget rivals?

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 BYD Seagull GLX Review

Adoption rates for EVs have skyrocketed since the start of 2026. Made faster by high and volatile gas prices at the pump, more and more Filipinos have begun considering entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) to get by. 

When we speak of entry-level EVs, what comes to mind for most people are the likes of the JETOUR Ice Cream, the VinFast VF3, the Changan Lumin or other similarly sized EVs. While these cars can be made to fit anyone’s lifestyle, they do come with a few compromises. For those people that might see those compromises as non-negotiables, we point them towards the direction of the BYD Seagull.

Now, it has to be said that compared to the other budget EVs we mentioned earlier, the Seagull commands an entirely different price point. Then again, with the bump in price comes more features. In this review, we’re taking a look at the Seagull to see if the price it asks for is truly worth it.

3.9 / 5
2026 BYD Seagull GLX Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 3.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 3.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.0/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.5/5
What You Will Like
  • Plent of tech and safety features
  • Well appointed interior
  • Over 300 km of driving range
What You Won't Like
  • Wind and road noise enters at high speeds
  • Performance tapers off beyond 95 km/h.
How We Do Our Reviews

The reason why the Seagull might be overlooked at first by people shopping for a budget EV is because of its price. At P938,000, the Seagull makes a compelling argument for an EV, yes, but, it has to be said that it’s still a few hundred pesos more expensive compared to the likes of the VinFast VF3, Changan Lumin, and others. However, as we go through its features, we do think that the Seagull has the features and kit to justify its price.

Electric Motor

Charging the Seagull takes just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger or around five hours using an AC home charger to top up its 30 kWh battery. Fully charged, the Seagull can drive up to a claimed range of 300 km, way better than its more affordable rivals that top out at 200 km, give or take. 

Propelling the Seagull is a front-mounted electric motor that puts out 74 hp and 135 Nm of torque. How that translates to on-road performance, we’ll discuss later on.

BYD Seagull Front Right Quarter
BYD Seagull Front
BYD Seagull Side

Another edge that the Seagull has over its rivals is the addition of two more doors making it a five door hatchback. In terms of looks, the Seagull’s front end carries a clean, slightly upturned headlight design that gives it a perky, almost expressive face rather than the anonymous-appliance look so many city cars settle for, while the closed-off lower grille (no surprise, given there's no engine to cool) keeps the nose smooth and uncluttered. 

BYD Seagull Rear
BYD Seagull Front Right Quarter
BYD Seagull Rear Left Quarter

In profile, the silhouette is compact and rounded, with a roofline that tapers gently toward the rear, giving it a slightly coupe-like stance for a car this small, and the wheel arches are pronounced enough to keep the proportions from looking soft or awkward. Around back, the taillights wrap subtly into the rear quarter panels, and the hatch design is kept simple, with no fussy creases or unnecessary character lines, just a tidy and coherent design. It’s a budget EV, yes, but it’s definitely not boring. 

BYD Seagull Cargo Bay

Cargo space is as you’d expect from a car of this size at 230 liters. Still, despite the small size, there’s plenty of usable space in the back of the Seagull. If you don’t mind trading passenger space for more places to store cargo, the seatback of the second row does fold back, doubling space and allowing you to easily fit a balikbayan box.

BYD Seagull Rear Cabin

Another benefit of having two extra doors is more space for passengers. Space in the second row is decent, though three people will find it uncomfortable for trips lasting more than an hour. Headroom and legroom are decent, with the lack of a center tunnel allowing for more space to sprawl out. The full leather upholstery is also a nice touch, with the seats providing adequate thigh support to make anyone happy to sit back here.

Rear Seats

As for cons, there aren't a lot of amenities to speak of in the back of the Seagull. There's no center armrest, no charging ports, and no air vent for rear passengers. However, for a car this small, the aircon vents up front may be enough to cool the entire cabin quickly.

BYD Seagull Steering Wheel
BYD Seagull Front Seats
BYD Seagull Air Vent

Up front, the Seagull actually impresses by being well-appointed for a car this size and at this price point. The driver gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as leather touch points throughout the interior. Entertainment is handled by a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the center stack beneath the screen are physical knobs and buttons for the gear selector, hazard lights, climate controls, and audio controls. Other notable features include a wireless charging pad, a USB-A and USB-C charging port, and multiple cubby holes.

BYD Seagull Rolling Shot

For a BEV the size of the Seagull at its price point, you don't really expect much from it. Which is why it caught us off guard once we took it out on the road. 74 hp and 135 Nm of torque may seem minimal at first glance, but in the real world, it's more than enough to take the Seagull up provincial roads, drive up twisties, and even do overtaking maneuvers with ease. With that said, however, we have to add that the Seagull loses steam once it reaches 90 to 95 km/h; at that point, the Seagull will struggle to break past 100 km/h.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) is as expected for a car this size. Road and wind noise definitely creeps in at speed, but it won't be enough to drive you crazy. We won't knock points off the Seagull for it because these are some of the compromises you have to come to terms with for cars at this price point. Beyond that, driving the Seagull on the highway is easy, decently comfortable, and with enough grunt to get you up to speed.

Inside the city at low speeds, the Seagull is still quite likeable. It's much quieter and smoother than comparable internal combustion-engined sedans or hatchbacks. A great thing, especially considering the Seagull is meant to live inside cities anyway.

Going back to our question in the first part of this review—is the price of the BYD Seagull worth it? Yes. The BYD Seagull is miles ahead of its more affordable contemporaries in terms of handling, ride quality, and features, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. The lack of amenities for the second row, its struggle to reach 100 km/h, and its NVH insulation are its weak points, but those are weak points you'd be perfectly fine to forgive given its price. The BYD Seagull does cost hundreds of pesos more than its rivals, but it gives that back in build quality and sheer amount of features. For that, we think it's a compelling option for anyone looking to get started with driving an EV.

Specifications

Engine

n/a

Energy Source

Electric

Performance

74 hp @ 0 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name BYD Seagull GLX
Body Type Hatchback
Price ₱968,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

BYD Seagull Sprout Green Sprout Green
BYD Seagull Apricity White Apricity White
BYD Seagull Delan Black Delan Black

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