For the first time in the history of the World Car Awards, a Chinese automaker has clinched a win. BYD’s compact electric vehicle, the Seagull, rose above 11 other finalists from around the globe to claim the 2025 World Urban Car award.
Drawing on its Ocean Aesthetics design philosophy, the BYD Seagull blends sleek, contemporary styling with robust safety and smart driving technology. The vehicle wowed the 96-member jury with its clean lines, practical dimensions, and city-focused features—enough to edge out strong contenders like the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric and Mini Cooper Electric.
To be eligible for the competition, entries needed to be available in at least two major markets on two continents, have an annual production of over 5,000 units, and measure less than 4.25 meters in length. The Seagull checked all the boxes—and then some.
Stella Li, BYD’s Executive Vice President, framed the victory as a sign of broader global momentum for the brand’s green mobility mission. “This achievement reflects our commitment to providing sustainable technologies and exceptional service to customers worldwide,” she said. “At BYD, we are dedicated to accelerating green mobility and contributing to the global effort to ‘Cool the Earth by 1 °C.’”
The win is the culmination of a strong showing from BYD across global competitions. Just last year, the BYD Dolphin and the BYD Seal earned finalist spots in the World Urban Car and World Car of the Year categories, respectively, marking a steady rise in the company’s international reputation.
Since its 2023 debut, the Seagull has proven to be a smash hit in China, where it became the company’s fastest-selling mini EV, crossing 500,000 units sold by mid-2024. Starting at just $9,540, it’s a budget-friendly urban commuter packed with premium features. It comes equipped with a front-mounted 55 kW motor and offers two battery configurations: a 30.1 kWh pack for 189 miles of range, and a 38.9 kWh version that extends the range to 252 miles. Fast charging capabilities, a 12.8-inch touchscreen display, heated front seats, and multiple USB fast-charging ports round out the interior’s appeal.
When it comes to safety and smarts, the Seagull is no slouch. It features autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warnings. But the real game-changer is the introduction of BYD’s DiPilot 100 intelligent driving system. Powered by NVIDIA’s Orin N chip with a staggering 100 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), this suite combines 12 HD cameras, 5 millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors to deliver high-level assisted driving features like highway autopilot, memory navigation, and automated parking. It effectively pushes the car beyond typical Level 2 autonomy, putting it in a class of its own among entry-level EVs.
The Seagull’s rise reflects BYD’s broader evolution. What began three decades ago as a rechargeable battery company has transformed into a global energy and EV powerhouse. BYD now operates in more than 70 countries and regions, selling new energy vehicles in over 400 cities. Its Zero Emissions Energy Solution connects solar power, battery storage, and electric transport into a seamless ecosystem designed to slash carbon footprints and bring renewable energy to the masses.