The BYD DOLPHIN SURF: Small, Stylish and Easy to Use
The DOLPHIN SURF sits in BYD’s Ocean Series and has proper 5-door supermini proportions. It’s simple to drive, easy to park and comes with features you’d normally only see on more expensive cars. The 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen, digital keycard and lots of interior storage all help it feel modern and user-friendly.
There are two battery sizes: a 30-kWh option for the entry model and a 43.2 kWh option for the other trims. Real-world efficiency is good, and the car averages around 4.2 kWh per mile when driven sensibly. Charging from 10-80% takes about 30 minutes on a fast charger, or around 7-8 hours at home.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF Price? A Very Affordable EV
The DOLPHIN SURF starts at £18,600 and goes up to £23,950. This makes it one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy today.
The entry-level Active (£18,650) is almost £3,000 less than a similar Renault 5. Even though it’s the cheapest model, it still offers plenty of equipment. The top-spec Comfort (£23,950) includes the bigger battery and more features, and there are very few optional extras to add, mostly just paint colours as the tech all comes as standard.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF Close Competitors? Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3 and More
The DOLPHIN SURF’s closest rivals include the Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3, and Dacia Spring. Compared with these, the BYD offers a roomy interior, lots of tech as standard and better efficiency for the price. It’s a strong option if you want good value without losing features.
Modern Looks with Fun Details
The DOLPHIN SURF has a floating roof design, crisp body lines and full-width LED taillights. The dot-matrix pattern on the C-pillar gives it a unique look, and the six-strip LED headlights look sharp during the day and at night. A sporty rear spoiler finishes off the design and helps with aerodynamics. Colour choices are limited, with Lime Green being the only standard paint and Apricity White, Ice Blue, Polar Night Black as optional extras.
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A Simple, Smart Interior
ThInside, the DOLPHIN SURF feels clean and tech focused. The rotating touchscreen is easy to see and use, although Apple CarPlay only works in landscape mode. There’s also voice control, Android Auto and the option to use your phone as a digital key to get inside.
The cabin has four seats rather than five, but they’re comfortable and supportive. Heated and electrically adjustable seats are available on higher trims. Storage space is excellent, with more than 20 small storage areas throughout the car.
Practical for Everyday Life
The boot holds 308 litres, which is good for a small EV. With the rear seats down, this grows to 1,037 litres. Under-floor storage and wide openings make it easy to load shopping, bags or small furniture. The DOLPHIN SURF also includes V2L (Vehicle to Load), which means it can power small appliances like laptops, lights, camping equipment or even a coffee machine.
Simple, Smooth Driving
With 156 hp, the DOLPHIN SURF is quick for a small electric car. It reaches 0–62 mph in around 9 seconds and feels lively in the city. It’s front-wheel drive and easy to manoeuvre in tight streets.
On faster roads, there is some wind noise around the doors. The suspension can feel a bit bouncy on uneven country roads, and the short wheelbase means you can get pulled around by deeper road grooves. There’s also no one-pedal driving or auto-hold function, which some EV drivers may miss.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The car comes with a full package of safety systems as standard, including intelligent cruise control, lane-departure assist and automatic emergency braking. It also has six airbags and BYD’s safe Blade Battery technology.
Some systems can be a bit sensitive, such as the driver-awareness monitor. The speed-limit assist can also be slow or inaccurate at times, so it’s best not to rely on it completely.
Charging Made Easy
With a maximum rate of 85 kW, the DOLPHIN SURF charges from 10–80% in around 30 minutes on a public fast charger. At home, a 7 kW or 11 kW charger will refill the battery overnight. This makes it simple for both daily commuting and longer weekend trips.
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Watch our full in depth video reviewing the BYD Dolphin Surf, letting you know the positives and the negatives!
Is the BYD DOLPHIN SURF a Good Choice?
If you want a small electric car that’s affordable, easy to drive and packed with useful features, the BYD DOLPHIN SURF is a strong contender. It offers great value, good range and a smart, spacious interior. For anyone looking to enter the EV world without spending too much, it’s definitely worth considering.
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