NEW BYD Dolphin Surf vs Renault 5 vs Citroen eC3 review – what’s the BEST small electric car?

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1. BYD Dolphin Surf​

• Price & Positioning: Very affordable—UK price ~£18,650, undercutting competitors while including features like rotating touchscreen, adaptive cruise, reversing camera, and even mobile power‑bank capability
• Battery & Range: Offers two LFP battery options—≈30 kWh (~137 mi) or ~43 kWh (~200 mi) WLTP. Known for safety, longevity, and competitive range
• Specs & Practicality: Up to 115 kW motor (~156 hp), 0–100 km/h in ~9–12 s, top speed 150 km/h. 4-occupant layout, ISOFIX, and a ~345 L boot provide good practicality .
• Pros: Great value, strong safety, decent range, practical features.
• Cons: LFP battery means slightly lower range density; less drive refinement than some European rivals.

2. Renault 5 E‑Tech​

• Price & Platform: Retro design on bespoke “AmpR Small” EV platform. Prices starting ~€25,000 (£23k) for 40 kWh, up to ~€33k (£29–30k) for 52 kWh variant
• Battery & Range: 40 kWh → ~186 mi, 52 kWh → ~249–255 mi (real-world ~220 mi). Rapid charging at 80–100 kW (15–80% in ~30 min); 11 kW AC and bidirectional charging on higher variants
• Driving & Interior: Premium-feeling ride and chassis better than Fiat 500e/Mini. 0–62 mph ~8 s, tidy handling, polished finish, recycled materials, Google/ChatGPT integration
• Pros: Stylish, tech-rich, strong range, engaging to drive, bi‑directional charging.
• Cons: Higher entry price, limited rear space/boot (~326 L), few real-world base-trim deliveries yet.

3. Citroën e‑C3​

• Price & Platform: From ~£21,935–23,635—one of the cheapest small EVs on Stellantis’s “Smart Car” platform
• Battery & Range: 44 kWh LFP battery with ~199 mi WLTP; 20–80% DC in ~25 min; 4–5 hr home charge at 11 kW AC
• Driving & Space: 111 bhp, 0–62 mph in ~10.4 s, 84 mph top speed. Highly spacious cabin with 310 L boot—less sporty, light steering
• Pros: Best in class for interior space and comfort, very cheat price, simple and functional.
• Cons: Unexciting drive, lower power, fewer features (no adjustable regen, climate control optional).

Quick Comparison Snapshot​

Feature	Dolphin Surf	Renault 5 E‑Tech	Citroën e‑C3
Price (est.)	~£18–19 k	£23–30 k	£22–24 k
Battery	LFP 30 / 43 kWh	NMC 40 / 52 kWh	LFP 44 kWh
Range (WLTP)	137 / 200 mi	186 / 249–255 mi	~199 mi
0–60 mph	~9–12 s	~8 s (52 kWh)	~10.4 s
Charging	65–85 kW DC	80–100 kW DC + V2L	~25 min at DC, 11 kW AC
Interior & Space	Practical, modest	Stylish + recycled	Roomiest + comfy
Driving Feel	Basic yet solid	Engaging & refined	Comfort‑oriented

Best Pick Scenarios​

• Budget-conscious with decent range → BYD Dolphin Surf delivers excellent value and good specs for minimal cost.
• Tech-forward with style & driving edge → Renault 5 E‑Tech excels on all fronts: retro charm, tech depth, range, and bidirectional charging.
• Space and practicality priority → Citroën e‑C3 offers the best cabin room and affordability, ideal for families.

Verdict​

• Renault 5 E‑Tech is the most complete package, offering retro looks, strong drive, high-tech features, and good range—at a slightly higher price.
• Dolphin Surf is the budget MVP, packing serious value into a lower-cost EV, with enough range for most needs.
• e‑C3 wins on roominess and comfort, perfect for practical urban use but less inspiring to drive.