BYD’s latest models, the Qin L DM-i and the Seagull 06 DM-i, became instant hits upon release. Priced at ￥99.800. with a mid-size body, the DM 5.0 hybrid system, a combined fuel consumption of 2.9L/100km, and a full fuel and electric range of 2.100 km, these numbers push the cost-performance ratio to the extreme. It’s the new generation of the “99.800 God Car” following the Qin PLUS DM-i.
However, I found the 2.9L/100km fuel consumption hard to believe. In January, I tested the Qin PLUS DM-i 55KM version, and the actual fuel consumption was 5.8L/100km, while the official figure was 3.8L/100km. I guessed the Qin L DM-i and the Seagull 06 DM-i would have a similar 2L gap. So, I borrowed a Seagull 06 DM-i 120KM flagship version, priced at ￥139.800. to see both its product strength and the real-world fuel consumption.
Exterior Design: Personal Taste, but It Stands Out
Opinions on the design are subjective, but I think the Seagull 06 DM-i is the best-looking among this generation of models. Both the front and rear ends are beautifully designed, and the overall design language is cohesive. Being a mid-size car, its side profile is smoother. Many compact cars have an abrupt C-pillar line that looks unbalanced, but the Seagull 06 DM-i’s side view is nearly perfect. Additionally, this car doesn’t have the over-designed elements that many BYD models do, making it one of the few BYD cars that would look great modified. Swapping in shorter springs and new rims, and blacking out the chrome trim would make the stance even more appealing.
Interior Design: Typical BYD Style
The interior design follows BYD’s usual style—there are no major flaws, and the materials are good, with synthetic leather and soft-touch materials in most areas. There are some differences between the lower and higher trims. The base model comes with a digital display (similar to elevator panels), while the higher trims feature a night view display. Screen sizes also vary: the lowest trim has the smallest, the mid-range has a slightly larger one, and the highest trim gets the biggest (I think the mid-range size is just right). The base model also has a silicone phone holder without wireless charging, while the higher trims offer wireless charging with Alcantara material around the holder. Overall, the differences aren’t huge, and even the base model is pretty good.
Storage and Practicality
Storage space is average, but the door pocket’s design is problematic. It’s too shallow, making it hard to reach some of the storage areas—a definite downside.
Infotainment and Tech: The Old BYD System
The car uses BYD’s older infotainment system, the same found in models below the Song PLUS. It’s practical, relatively smooth, and the interface is simple and intuitive. However, it lacks advanced features, has a dated design, and is not very intelligent. Instead of equipping the top trim with an oversized and out-of-place screen, BYD could have updated the infotainment system to attract buyers to the higher-end model. Since the top trim still uses the old system, I recommend choosing the lower trims. One feature I do appreciate is the DOW (door open warning) system. When you’re about to exit the vehicle, if cars or pedestrians are approaching from behind, a red LED light hidden in the door handle flashes to warn you—an innovative touch.
Space: Rear Comfort and Trunk Capacity
The rear space is decent, with about a fist and three fingers’ worth of legroom. While not as spacious as some B-segment sedans, the seats are comfortable and supportive—at least when the car is stationary. The suspension is on the stiffer side, which might make dynamic comfort less enjoyable. It’s a good idea to have family members test the rear seats during a test drive at the dealership. The roofline eats into some headroom, leaving three fingers' worth of space, while the trunk is decent. Although the trunk opening is not large, it’s well-shaped, and the rear seats fold down to accommodate larger items.
Driving Experience: Better Than the Qin PLUS DM-i?
Now, let's talk about driving and compare it to the Qin PLUS DM-i. Overall, the Seagull 06 DM-i offers a better driving experience, particularly in the finer details. First, the 218-horsepower front motor (163 hp for the 80KM version) provides smoother acceleration compared to the 197-hp Qin PLUS DM-i. The Qin PLUS DM-i’s front-wheel slip and torque steer during hard acceleration are also present here but to a lesser extent. The tuning of the entire system feels more refined than the Qin PLUS DM-i.
Secondly, the noise insulation is significantly better than the Qin PLUS DM-i, with improved suppression of engine, wind, road, and tire noise. You can feel more of a separation between the inside and outside of the car. However, the window insulation isn’t as good, and much of the noise comes from the windows.
Lastly, the powertrain has two drawbacks. First, the enhanced noise insulation makes the engine noise more prominent. In the Qin PLUS DM-i, the engine noise blends with other noises, so it’s less noticeable. But in the Seagull 06 DM-i, the engine’s sound stands out, especially when accelerating from 0-20 km/h and when slowing down. The Atkinson-cycle engine also produces more noise and vibration compared to Miller-cycle engines. Second, there’s a mismatch between the engine and throttle response. For example, when the battery level is low, lightly pressing the accelerator results in high engine revs and loud noise after the engine kicks in. Similarly, flooring the throttle results in a delay before the engine revs up. In contrast, the Qin PLUS DM-i’s engine responds more intuitively to throttle input, adjusting sound levels accordingly, which feels more natural. The Seagull 06 DM-i could use some optimization in this area.
Chassis and Handling: Comfort vs. Stability
The Seagull 06 DM-i’s chassis is a noticeable upgrade over the Qin PLUS DM-i in terms of quality. Over bumps and rough roads, you can feel a clear separation between the chassis and the road, with muted, low-frequency sounds. In comparison, the Qin PLUS DM-i produces harsher, more direct noise. However, the suspension remains on the stiff side, which results in a bumpier ride over speed bumps and continuous rough patches. The overall comfort of the Seagull 06 DM-i’s chassis lags behind the higher-tier Seagull 07 DM-i and Han models. That said, the Seagull 06 DM-i excels in cornering, offering better body control and suspension support, which contrasts with the softer handling of many BYD models.
Fuel Consumption: Real-World Performance
In terms of fuel consumption, here are my own test results: at an ambient temperature of around 20°C, with the battery level between 10% and 15%, driving 110 kilometers using AI energy management mode (formerly known as smart energy-saving mode) and standard regenerative braking, the trip computer showed 4.2L/100km for fuel consumption and -1.9kWh/100km for electric consumption. The actual measured fuel consumption was 5.47L/100km. This large gap from the official 2.9L/100km figure is likely due to several factors. First, my driving style is somewhat aggressive, though not overly so—most of the time, it was normal driving. Second, the official figure is based on the NEDC standard, which tends to be less accurate compared to WLTC. Lastly, I received the car with only 12% battery. In my experience, fuel consumption improves when the battery is above 20%, as the electric motor can better balance the load on the engine. The AI energy management mode keeps the battery level between 10% and 15%, which may be less efficient. Some comments on my video suggested that I drained the battery on purpose, but if 20%+ battery is indeed more fuel-efficient, the AI mode should aim to maintain that level.
Conclusion: High Value for Money
In conclusion, with a starting price of ￥99.800. mid-size dimensions, 7-second acceleration, both gas and electric power, and a green license plate, the Seagull 06 DM-i offers excellent value for money. Compared to the Qin PLUS DM-i, the Seagull 06 DM-i feels like a more luxurious version, with improvements in several areas. However, it still falls short of the Seagull 07 DM-i and Han models, particularly in comfort. Therefore, I recommend the 80KM luxury model priced at ￥99.800 and the 120KM prestige model at ￥119.800 over the higher-end versions. If you can get the Qin PLUS DM-i for around ￥75.000 on the road, and you don’t mind the lack of refinement or rear space, the Qin PLUS DM-i is a better choice. But if you have the budget for a high-end model, consider the Seagull 07 DM-i, with the base version priced at ￥139.800 and the next version at ￥155.800. both offering more in every aspect than the Seagull 06 DM-i.
