Say hello to…
…the BYD Dolphin Surf, a new city car EV from the Chinese manufacturer that now has more than 2% market share.
The Dolphin Surf range comprises three versions: the entry-level Active, the longer-range Boost, and the better-equipped Comfort.
Performance and battery capacity vary by model. The Active uses a 30kWh battery and 88hp motor (137-mile WLTP range), the Boost increases range to 200 miles with a 43.2kWh battery (same motor), while the Comfort uses that same battery with a 154hp motor for quicker acceleration and a 193-mile range.
Trim levels:
- Active
- Boost
- Comfort
Standard equipment on the Active version includes15-inch alloys, 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear camera and sensors, V2L output, NFC keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, vegan leather seats, and LED daytime running lights.
Boost adds 16-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors and powered adjustable front seats.
Comfort adds heated front seats, 360-degree camera, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charging and full LED headlights.
Is The BYD Dolphin Surf Suitable For My Fleet?
On cost and tax, absolutely. While the Active has a super-low P11D of £18,650, it’s the longer range Boost that will be of most appeal. The 308-litre boot is near top of the class and the cabin makes good use of space. Four adults will fit without complaint. Rear-seat Isofix points (two in the back, one in the front) boost versatility. Maximum charging speed is acceptable at 65kW DC on Active, 85kW DC on Boost and Comfort.
Leasing A BYD Dolphin Surf
Gateway2lease is offering the Dolphin Surf in Comfort trim for £328 a month on a 9+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year.
Driving A BYD Dolphin Surf
There are precious few small, low cost, hatchback EVs, so the BYD Dolphin Surf isn’t up against much competition besides the Renault 5, Hyundai Inster and the Citroen eC3. However the market’s growing and that means anything not up to scratch will fall by the wayside.
The Dolphin Surf immediately ticks a lot of the boxes to make it a success. Jump inside and there’s a large clear infotainment screen, plus a digital driver’s display. There are a few physical buttons to control the basics. The construction looks solid enough and the materials used are good considering the price point. Only if you go looking in the lower areas of the interior do the plastics feel cheaper.
Equipment levels are generally good, although, even at this price point, you’d expect some form of climate control. There is air-conditioning, but you only seem to be able to set the car to get colder or hotter, there’s no way to set a single temperature.
The in-screen controls are fairly logical, and turning off the annoying warning noises and alarms is relatively straightforward, if not as simple as the best in class (see the Renault 5 for how it should be done).
Out on the road, the Surf is basically comfy. The suspension is on the softer side, and that’s a good thing. This means the car’s good round town and the handling is predictable because there’s enough body roll to communicate exactly what’s going on even if there’s not that much in the way of feedback from the steering.
The downside to the softer suspension and lack of steering feel is that at higher speeds the car doesn’t feel as stable as some rivals.
The brakes work well and the regeneration levels are well judged.
Visibility is pretty good too, which, when coupled to the car’s small size means it’s easy to park and manoeuvre around town.
The range figures seem accurate, however, we didn’t spend long enough with the car to record a useable real-world average.
For those looking for a small runabout, the BYD Dolphin Surf has a lot going for it.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The BYD Dolphin Surf
As a low-cost, low-tax, highly specified EV for urban use, the BYD Dolphin Surf makes a compelling case.
BYD Dolphin Surf
- Model tested: Dolphin Surf Comfort
- Power: 154hp
- Torque: 220Nm
- Max speed: 93mph
- 0–62mph: 9.1s
- Official range: 193 miles
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- BIK tax band 2025/26: 3%
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