In the past, small cars were only seen as “small” and “cheap”. But with the continuous advancement of car technology, the features equipped are becoming more perfect. Nowadays, young consumers no longer just need a small car as a transportation tool, they also expect a car that can show their personality, meet family needs, and have high cost performance. So, among many new cars, which small cars are worth choosing? Here are three highly popular models recommended to everyone. Compared to most models at the same price, they excel in appearance, space, comfort, and even configuration and power. Definitely worth the price, serving as a reference for everyone when buying a car.
BYD Seagull MSRP: 6.98-8.58 million yuan The Seagull is a new pure electric small car from BYD Ocean Network, based on the e platform 3.0 technology. Since its launch at the end of April 2023, it has been climbing steadily in sales with its affordable price and good product strength, and has been the sales champion in the sub-segment market for several months. According to the latest data, the cumulative sales from January to April this year reached 99,116 units, with an average monthly sales of over 24,000 units. In April alone, 28,797 units were sold, making it the absolute leader in the small car segment.
As a pure electric compact car, the Seagull can compete with both traditional fuel models and electric models. With a price range of 6.98-8.58 million yuan, it is competitive in the market. Unlike most small cars with cute and round shapes, the Seagull has a more unique and dynamic style. With dimensions of 3780/1715/1540 mm and a wheelbase of 2500mm, it offers spacious interior space and convenient four-door design. The Seagull attracts consumers with its stylish and unique appearance.
In terms of interior, all models come standard with a 10.1-inch adaptive rotating suspension Pad, built-in DiLink smart networking system, supporting video playback, voice interaction, and other functions, bringing users a new intelligent driving experience. Additionally, it adopts a high-strength body structure and blade battery exclusive to electric models, with standard front and side airbags, ESP electronic vehicle stability system, EPB electronic parking brake, and advanced intelligent driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure warning.
In terms of power, the Seagull is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous drive motor with a maximum power of 55kW and a maximum torque of 135N·m. The official 0-50km/h acceleration time is 4.9 seconds, suitable for daily commuting. The Seagull uses BYD’s unique lithium iron phosphate blade battery, with capacities of 30.08kWh and 38.88kWh. The pure electric range of the CLTC is 305km and 405km respectively. It comes with standard slow and fast charging, with the fast charge mode taking only 0.5 hours to charge from 30% to 80%. In the subcompact car market under 100,000 yuan (13820$), the Seagull’s overall strength can definitely compete with similar models. It’s no wonder its sales have been steadily increasing since its launch. SAIC-GM Wuling Binguo Price: 5.98-8.88 thousand yuan The SAIC-GM Wuling Binguo is a new small electric vehicle under SAIC-GM Wuling, and a rare hot-selling model in this segment. Since its launch in March 2023, the sales performance of the Wuling Binguo has been quite good, becoming another popular model after the “Hongguang MINIEV” for SAIC-GM Wuling. In April of this year, sales reached 11,749 units.
A car model can be popular, besides the affordable price, the strong product performance is also crucial. In terms of appearance, it has a distinct design from other electric vehicles in the family, with rounded lines and a closed front grille paired with rounded headlights, giving a stylish visual effect. Its dimensions are 3950/1708/1580 mm, with a wheelbase of 2560mm, larger than the Hongguang MINIEV, which will also excel in space performance, with higher practicality in the rear row.
In terms of interior, the car features a dual-tone interior style with chrome trim details, creating a stylish atmosphere. It is equipped with popular dual 10.25-inch connected screens, dual-function steering wheel, and knob-style gear shift mechanism to enhance the vehicle’s technology. The circular air vents at both ends of the center console are unique, and the integrated seats add a youthful touch. Additionally, it offers practical features such as ABS, brake force distribution, tire pressure warning, seat belt reminder, child seat interface, cruise control, rearview camera, automatic wipers, front airbags, ESC, and automatic parking.
In terms of power, there are two options: low power with a 30kW motor and high power with a 50kW motor. The power may not be high, but it is enough for daily driving. The Dolphin, Byd’s first model based on the e platform 3.0, is one of the best-selling electric cars in the segment. The Dolphin was first launched in August 2021 and the Dolphin Honor Edition was launched in February this year. With four models to choose from, the price range is 9.98-12.98 million yuan, which is advantageous compared to many other models in the same price range. The Dolphin has a range of 203km, 333km, and 410km depending on the battery capacity, which is sufficient for daily commuting.
In terms of appearance, it is round and cute, very cute, and provides rear privacy glass and a new Atlantis gray, hot wave crimson solid body color. Thanks to the high integration and flexibility of the e-platform 3.0, with a wheelbase of 2700mm, it has a comfortable chassis tuning and quiet riding experience. The body is flexible, easy to park, and ensures interior space and high-quality driving experience to meet different driving needs in various scenarios.
In terms of interior, all models come standard with a 5-inch floating full LCD instrument panel and a 12.8-inch central control screen, equipped with DiLink smart networking system, supporting online navigation, OTA remote upgrades, voice interaction and more. The dolphin seats feature an integrated design, with a stylish shape and front seats with ventilation function for increased comfort. Additionally, the front row has added Type-C charging ports and upgraded to 50W wireless charging. The DiPilot intelligent driving assistance system greatly enhances playability and convenience, making driving easier. The models also come standard with LED headlights, 6-speaker audio system, heat pump air conditioning, VTOL mobile power station, NFC key for mobile phones, leather steering wheel, and 6-way power adjustment for the main driver’s seat.
In terms of power, there are two power versions available. The low-power version is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 70kW and peak torque of 180N·m. The high-performance version has a maximum power of 130kW and peak torque of 290N·m. In terms of range, depending on the version, it comes with batteries of 32.256kWh and 44.928kWh capacity, with CLTC range options of 302km, 401km, and 420km. Additionally, it has upgraded to a four-link independent suspension, which improves both driving performance and comfort compared to competitors with non-independent suspension systems. In conclusion, as the competition in the domestic car market intensifies, car manufacturers need to innovate constantly to enhance their competitiveness. The three models mentioned above all have monthly sales of over 10,000 units, which shows their strong position in the competitive market. Each model has its own strengths. The BYD Seagull excels in appearance, features, and power, offering a comprehensive package. The Wuling Bingguo is a more affordable choice among similar new energy vehicles, attracting consumers with its reasonable features and cost-effectiveness. The Dolphin, with its longer time on the market, has received positive feedback and a more youthful and sporty appearance, leading in safety and range performance among its peers. If you are considering buying a small car in the near future, these three models are excellent choices, catering to different needs.