BYD’s latest EV costs just over $10,000, goes 250 miles, and packs a LiDAR, too

BYD has officially unveiled the 2026 Seagull, sold internationally as the Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf, and the numbers deserve your attention. 

The updated compact EV’s price starts from 69,900 yuan, which is around $10,300, in China, and tops out at 85,900 yuan, which is around $12,600. It debuted at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show before going on sale this week (via CarsNewsChina). 

What do buyers actually get for their money?

The standout upgrade this year is the optional “God’s Eye B” intelligence driving package, called the DiPilot 300 system, which adds a LiDAR sensor to the subcompact city car, increasing its price to between $13,400 and $14,400. 

The system provides city-level navigation on autopilot, along with traffic light recognition and roundabout handling. That’s semi-autonomous driving capability at a price bracket where most car buyers in the US are still choosing between a used Toyota and a three-year-old Chevy. 

The longer range BYD variant packs a 38.88 kWh battery pack that delivers up to 252 miles of CLTC-certified range. Base variants, on the other hand, use a 30.08 kWh battery pack that provides up to 190 miles of claimed range. 

BYD’s subcompact city car packs in enough punch

Given that it’s designed to be driven around in the city, the new BYD EV features a 55 kW motor that can generate 135 Nm of torque, numbers that might not sound great at first, but complement the car’s purpose. 

The cabin offers a 12.8-inch central touchscreen display for handling navigation and 3D vehicle controls. Optional add-ons can get buyers 50W wireless charging, heated front seats, and a six-way power-adjusted driver’s seat. 

To me, the Seagull’s 2026 update isn’t just a product refresh. By pushing LiDAR into the sub-$15,000 bracket, BYD is essentially normalizing advanced driver assistance at a price point where it’s hard to even imagine the feature.