Vietnamese carmaker VinFast has swiftly climbed up the electrified ladder and is now a major player in the Philippine market. One of its most popular models is the VinFast VF5, its most affordable five-seater model in the country. For this spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be pitting it against another popular small battery EV, the BYD Seagull. Let’s see how these two affordable electric vehicles stack up against each other.
Both BEVs have front-mounted motors. The VF5 makes 135hp, while the Seagull puts out 74hp. Interestingly, both electric motors produce 135Nm of torque. The VinFast has a larger battery and a manufacturer’s claimed range of up to 326km, or about 26km more than its BYD rival. Like most in this segment, both get the typical subcompact-car independent struts up front and a compact torsion beam setup at the rear, plus four-wheel disc brakes.
The VF5 looks larger because it is. Measuring 3,967mm long, 1,723mm wide, and 1,579mm tall, it’s 187mm longer, 8mm wider, and 1mm lower than the Seagull. The VF5’s larger wheel-and-tire package and 40mm higher ground clearance help give it that athletic CUV stance. With the VinFast being a slightly larger vehicle with a bigger battery pack, it also carries an extra 180kg of mass over the Seagull.
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When it comes to practicality, the VF5 is a five-seater while the Seagull is a four-seater. The subcompact VinFast has a 260-liter cargo area, which is 30 liters larger than that of its BYD rival. It also has 60:40 split folding rear seats for added flexibility, while the Seagull has a single-folding full-length section.
Both have a long list of standard safety features, but the VF5 adds two more airbags and rear cross-traffic alert. When it comes to connectivity, both have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the Seagull’s is wireless. As expected, the BYD has a larger touchscreen that rotates.
How much are they? The VF5 costs P1,099,000, or P949,000 if you opt for the battery subscription. The smaller Seagull, on the other hand, carries a P938,000 price tag. While this is not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, the VinFast being a slightly larger crossover and the BYD being a smaller hatchback, these two battery EVs are close enough in size and price to be cross-shopped.
What do you think of the VF5? Would you choose it over the Seagull? We know choosing can be difficult, so take a look at the side-by-side spec sheet we’ve prepared and let us know which BEV you’d rather drive in the metro.
VinFast VF5 |
BYD Seagull |
|
| Price (Philippine peso) | P1,099,000 (P949,000 with battery subscription) | P938,000 |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 4 |
| Motor type | permanent-magnet synchronous motor | permanent-magnet synchronous motor |
| Power (hp) | 135 | 74 |
| Torque (Nm) | 135 | 135 |
| Battery capacity | 37.23 | 30 |
| NEDC range (km) | 326 | 300 |
| Brakes (front/rear) | disc/disc | disc/disc |
| Wheels | 17-inch alloy | 16-inch alloy |
| Tires | 205/55 R17 | 175/55 R16 |
| Front suspension | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | torsion beam | torsion beam |
| Seat material | leatherette | leather |
| Folding rear seat | yes (60:40) | yes |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch touchscreen | 10.1-inch touchscreen (rotating) |
| Connectivity | Apple CarPlay + Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto |
| Speakers | 4 | 2 + 2 tweeters |
| Airbags | 6 | 4 |
| ABS with EBD | yes | yes |
| Electronic stability control | yes | yes |
| Traction control | yes | yes |
| Cruise control | yes | yes |
| Hill-start assist | yes | yes |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | yes | no |
| Camera | yes (rear) | yes (rear) |
| Parking sensors | yes (rear) | yes (rear) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 3,967 x 1,723 x 1,579 | 3,780 x 1,715 x 1,580 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,514 | 2,500 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 160 | 120 |
| Cargo volume (L) | 260 | 230 |
| Curb weight (kg) | 1,340 | 1,160 |
