BYD Dolphin Surf review

The BYD Dolphin Surf is not, as the name might suggest, a special surfing edition of the BYD Dolphin. It’s a completely different car that’s smaller in size but also much cheaper to buy.

In fact, it’s one of the cheapest electric cars on sale today, undercutting similar-sized alternatives including the Citroën ë-C3 and Renault 5 by thousands of pounds. The only lower-priced options are the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 – but they’re even smaller and feel out of their depth on A-roads, let alone motorways.

BYD Dolphin Surf video review

Yet despite its tempting price tag, the BYD Dolphin Surf isn’t stingily equipped and doesn’t take a week to charge up – so what’s the catch? Read on as we explain how it stacks up against its electric car rivals... 

What’s New?

- July 2025: BYD announces production of millionth Dolphin Surf, 27 months after model launched in China

- June 2025: Dolphin Surf launches in UK and first deliveries made. Choice of three models: Active (30kWh battery, 87bhp electric motor), Boost (43.2kWh battery, 87bhp motor), Comfort (43.2kWh battery, 154bhp motor). Boost offers up to 305 urban miles

The entry-level BYD Dolphin Surf Active has a 30kWh (usable capacity) battery and an official range of just 137 miles. We haven’t tried it yet but in real-world driving you’ll be lucky to get more than 100 miles down the road without stopping to plug in.

The Active has an 87bhp electric motor driving its front wheels and performance is far from sparkling: it officially takes 11.1 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph.

On one hand, the mid-range Boost version looks more appealing because it has a bigger (43.2kWh) battery, giving it an official range of 200 miles – slightly further than a Citroën ë-C3 or Renault 5 Urban Range can manage.

However, the Boost's heavier battery further dents acceleration: it officially takes 12.1 seconds to go from 0-62mph. So while performance is adequate for pottering around town, getting up to speed on rural roads or dual carriageways requires some patience.

If you want stronger acceleration you’ll need the range-topping Comfort version. It combines the 43.2kWh battery with a more powerful 154bhp motor – and in our tests managed 0-60mph in eight seconds. That's much quicker than an ë-C3 and slightly nippier even than a Renault 5 Urban Range.

The more powerful motor has a small impact on range, but the Comfort can still officially do a respectable 193 miles on a charge. Based on our tests, the real-world range in the summer months should be around 160 miles.

Other aspects of the driving experience are a bit mixed. Sure, the light steering and tight turning circle are great assets in town, and the Dolphin Surf feels far more grown-up than a Dacia Spring or Leapmotor T03 when you venture out of the city.

However, the Renault 5 offers much sharper handling on country roads, and has steering that's more accurate and gives you a better sense of connection with the road. The 5 also has a more controlled and settled ride and deals with nasty imperfections, such as potholes and expansion joints, in a much more sophisticated manner.

In short, it's more comfortable – although the Dolphin Surf doesn't jostle you around as much as an ë-C3 and is actually pretty comfy on motorways.

The brakes can be grabby – especially if you need to slow your progress quite quickly – but that's a criticism that can be levelled at many rivals, including the e-C3 and the Renault 5. And while there's some wind noise at faster speeds, there's actually less road roar than in a lot of similar-sized electric cars including the 5.

"I drove the most powerful Comfort version in the rain, and you have to be a bit careful with your right foot to avoid unwanted wheelspin." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Inside, the BYD Dolphin Surf looks and feels smart enough. Sure, there are hard plastics on the dashboard and doors, but interior quality still edges the Citroën ë-C3 and isn't far behind the Renault 5.

Some of the prominent surfaces are even covered in artificial fabric that feels a bit like wetsuit material, so overall the Dolphin Surf is in a different league to cheaper options such as the Dacia Spring for interior fit and finish.

It’s also fairly easy to get comfy in the driver’s seat because, unlike in the cheaper Spring and Leapmotor T03, the steering wheel can be adjusted for reach as well as height. If you go for mid-level Boost trim or above you’ll be able to adjust your seat electrically. It’s just a shame the seat doesn't provide a bit more lower back support.

All versions come with a 10.1in touchscreen that can be rotated from landscape to portrait orientation – although smartphone mirroring works only in landscape mode.

The operating system is fairly intuitive and the touchscreen is quick to respond by small electric car standards. Overall it’s a better infotainment system than you get in the ë-C3 or Spring. The Renault 5’s system is the best in the class.

Your view out of the Dolphin Surf at junctions and roundabouts is hindered slightly by the windscreen pillars, and over-the-shoulder visibility could definitely be better.

Fortunately, all trim levels come with rear parking sensors and at least a straightforward rear-view camera. If you go for range-topping Comfort trim the camera provides a 360-degree view of the car and its surroundings.

"I wish the driver's seat had a bit more lower back support, although it's not a huge problem on shorter journeys." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

The BYD Dolphin Surf is fractionally shorter than a Citroën ë-C3 but slightly longer than a Renault 5. It's a significantly larger car than the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. 

That means it has more space inside. True, anyone broad will feel a bit tight in the driver’s seat. The encroaching door pillars rob you of some shoulder room and there’s a large "floating" centre console fencing you off from your passenger. 

That centre console does have two cupholders on it though, along with a wireless phone-charging pad if you go for the range-topping Comfort version. Underneath the console there’s a huge storage tray, which is perfect for stashing your wallet, keys or perhaps some snacks.

In the back, you’ll find far more leg and head room than in cheaper electric cars. Indeed, there’s actually slightly more space for your knees than in a Renault 5. However, unlike that car the Dolphin Surf is a strict four-seater, with only two rear seat belts, and six-footers won’t enjoy much space above their heads.

Each rear seat has Isofix mounts for securing child seats, as does the front passenger seat.

On paper, the Dolphin Surf has a bigger boot than the Renault 5 and almost as much luggage space as the ë-C3.

There’s 308 litres of space below the parcel shelf, although a lot of that is under the main boot floor. You just lift up a board and there’s a large well below, which is a handy for stowing the charging charge or any delicate shopping.

The rear seatback folds down in a 50/50 split for when you need to carry bigger loads. 

"To my eyes, there’s space for a small storage compartment under the bonnet so I’m not entirely sure why the Dolphin Surf doesn’t have one." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

The entry-level Active version of the BYD Dolphin Surf is cheaper than almost any other electric car you can buy, undercutting the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 by thousands of pounds. Yes, the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 cost even less but they're smaller cars and only really suited to urban driving.

Granted, the Active can’t travel very far between charges, but it does come with a respectable amount of kit, including adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, air-conditioning and the visibility aids and infotainment gadgetry we mentioned earlier.

The Active can charge at speeds of up to 65kW. That’s not very quick, although it's still faster than a Dacia Spring or Leapmotor T03 and means a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 30 minutes.

The mid-rung Boost can accept a faster charging rate (up to 85kW) and adds alloy wheels, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and electric front seats to the equipment list.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Comfort adds yet more kit, including LED headlights, tinted rear windows and heated front seats. It can’t charge any quicker than the Boost but does have that more powerful electric motor.

All versions of the Dolphin Surf come with a respectable amount of safety aids, including traffic-sign recognition and automatic emergency braking (AEB). This helped the car achieve a five-star rating when it was tested by the independent safety experts at Euro NCAP.

We can’t give you much of a steer on reliability because BYD wasn’t included in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. However, most components are covered by a six-year (93,750 miles) warranty, with the battery guaranteed to retain at least 70% of its original capacity for eight years or 125,000 miles.

"Although the Dolphin Surf is generously equipped overall, I do find it odd that you get adaptive cruise control on the cheapest trim but have to upgrade to the range-topping model if you want heated seats." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

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