Why the Dolphin Surf Isn’t Your Typical “Cheap” Car
Affordable Yet Feature-Rich
- Entry Pricing: In the UK, it starts at £18,650 for the Active trim, with Boost at £21,950 and Comfort at £23,950. (approx €20k)
Smart Design Meets Practicality
- Urban-friendly dimensions: At just under 4 m long, it’s nimble in tight spaces
- Spacious interior: Clever packaging with a 308 L boot (expandable to ~1,037 L), over 20 storage spaces, and a roomy cabin for its size
- Stylish details: Floating roof effect, full-width LED tail light bar, cyberpunk-style details, and a sporty rear spoiler
Safe and Tech-Savvy
- Battery tech: Uses BYD’s Blade Battery (LFP), valued for safety and durability, paired with its next-gen e-Platform 3.0
- Powertrain efficiency: Gearing it with an innovative 8-in-1 electric powertrain module to maximize space and performance
- Charging capabilities: DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in ~30 minutes—65 kW for Active, 85 kW for Boost/Comfort, plus 11 kW AC
- Driver assistance & safety: Comes with ADAS features, six airbags, high-strength steel body, NFC keyless entry, OTA updates, and a “Hi BYD” voice assistant—all standard
Real-World Performance You Can Feel
- Trim performance stats:
- Active: 30 kWh battery, ~137 mi WLTP range, 65 kW motor—0–100 km/h in 11.1 s.
- Boost: 43.2 kWh battery, ~200 mi range, same motor—0–100 in 12.1 s.
- Comfort: 43.2 kWh battery, 115 kW motor—0–100 in 9.1 s
- Living EV practicality: Offers V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality, so it can power devices like party lights or even a coffee machine in a pinch
- Reviewers note its value-for-money shine, especially when paired against rivals like the Dacia Spring or Renault 5—for offering more tech, space, and comfort
Bottom Line
The BYD Dolphin Surf isn’t just "cheap"—it’s smartly priced without sacrificing technology, safety, or style. It brings serious urban EV chops—with fast charging, roomy practicality, advanced safety, and real-world efficiency—all wrapped in a fun, modern package.