BYD Dolphin Mini is 2025 World Urban Car

The BYD Dolphin Mini (also known as Seagull in some markets) was chosen has been chosen as the 2025 World Urban Car. Already showing its potential as a winner last year when it was among the Top Three in the finalists, the Dolphin Mini (a smaller urban-focussed version of the Dolphin) was selected for the award by a jury of 96 journalists from 30 countries.

The fully electric BYD model was chosen from an initial entry list of 12 vehicles from global automakers, and then a short list of 3 finalists. Besides the Dolphin Mini, the 2025 Top Three in the World finalists were the Hyundai Inster (Casper) Electric and MINI Cooper Electric.

Vehicles eligible for World Urban Car must be produced in volumes of at least 5,000 units/year and must be ‘on-sale’ in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2024 and March 30, 2025.

Commenting on the award, Stella Li, Executive Vice-President of BYD, said: “We are incredibly proud and honoured that the BYD Dolphin/Seagull Mini has been recognized as the World Urban Car in the prestigious World Car Awards 2025. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing sustainable technologies and exceptional service to customers worldwide. At BYD, we are dedicated to accelerating green mobility and contributing to the global effort to cool the Earth by 1°C.”

The overall winner this year was the Kia EV3, while the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS was World Performance Car and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz won the World Car Design of the Year. The Volvo EX90 (recently launched in Malaysia) was World Luxury Car and the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric was the World Electric Vehicle.

BYD’s Stella Li is 2025 World Car Person of the Year