BYD DOLPHIN SURF HATCHBACK

Name: BYD DOLPHIN SURF 115kW Comfort 43kWh 5dr Auto
Brand: BYD DOLPHIN SURF
SKU: 108108
Availability: InStock

115kW Comfort 43kWh 5dr Auto

Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Fuel Type Electric

Range 193 miles

Real World Estimate 164 miles

Co2 0.00g/km

Transmission Automatic

Top Speed 93mph

WLTP Combined Range/Economy achieved under standardised test conditions.

Customise Deal

Lease Type

Personal Business

Contract Length

Initial Rental

Annual Mileage

Maintenance

An excess mileage charge will apply if you exceed the contracted mileage. The exact charge will be confirmed on the official quotation prior to your acceptance to proceed.

Important Information

Excess mileage charges will apply if you go over the stated contract mileage.
Vehicle damage charges may occur if the vehicle is returned outside BVRLA's Fair Wear and Tear guidelines.
All rentals are subject to the necessary finance acceptance criteria.
Prices shown are indicative and subject to change.
No ownership option is available on this lease.
Manufacturer’s maintenance schedule must be observed and additional charges may apply for failure to maintain servicing and any non fair wear and tear damage to the vehicle.
Quoted leadtimes are estimates based on information from the manufacturer and are subject to change. We will keep you up to date during the course of your order.
If you are ordering a Used Vehicle you acknowledge that some minor wear and tear or cosmetic damage may be present on the vehicle, such as small chips, scuffs, or scratches.

Fetching your price

Fuel Type Electric

Range 193 miles

Real World Estimate 164 miles

Co2 0.00g/km

Transmission Automatic

Top Speed 93mph

WLTP Combined Range/Economy achieved under standardised test conditions.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF Review

- Independent review from Car and Driving

Performance
7
Handling
6
Comfort
7
Space
7
Styling
7
Build
7
Value
8
Equipment
8
Economy
7
Depreciation
7
Insurance
6

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a model of its moment - and aims to reinvent the citycar genre. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Dolphin Surf is a small EV runabout that will really put BYD on the map in Western markets. It blurs the boundaries between city cars and superminis - and between sensible and fashionable small runabouts, but could be the ideal compromise for many urban folk.

Background

One day, Chinese maker BYD aims to become the world's biggest car maker. And when it does, perhaps much will be owed to this model, the Dolphin Surf. It's the smallest car BYD makes but perhaps has the biggest challenge to face. Today, over 60% of new large car sales are fully electric. At the opposite end of the market, in the citycar sector where the Dolphin Surf competes, that number from the launch of this car in mid-2025 was just 9%. And that's despite the fact that the majority of citycar models these days are EVs, with cheap models like the Dacia Spring and the Leapmotor T03 at one end of the segment and pricier trend-setters like the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Hyundai Inster at the other. This Dolphin Surf, called the 'Seagull' in China and the 'Dolphin Mini' in South America, targets a place between those two extremes. And, unlike cheaper citycar EVs, aims to provide the longer-ranging maturity you'd get from an electric supermini in the segment above. To side-step Western tariffs, it'll soon be European-built too.

Driving Experience

This car certainly has an innovative powertrain - what the Chinese maker claims is 'the world's first 8-in-one electric powertrain system'. This combines electric motor, charger, reducer, DC converter, power distribution box, battery management controller, vehicle control unit and motor controller into a single module that saves space and, BYD reckons, improves efficiency. You wouldn't necessarily know that from a glance at the drive range figures. The 137 mile figure of the smaller-battery base 30kWh 'Active' version is easily bettered by a rival Leapmotor T03; while the readings you get from the bigger-battery 43.2kWh model (193 or 200 miles, depending on trim) do nothing more than match the prevailing - and not especially impressive - class standard. As for power output, well the smaller-battery 'Active' version only comes with an 87bhp front motor, also used in the mid-range 43.2kWh 'Boost' model we'd recommend, though this latter variant's 12.1s 0-62mph time is a second slower because of its greater battery weight. If you'll be using your Dolphin Surf on slightly longer trips, it's worth considering the top 'Comfort' variant we're trying here, which mates the 43.2kWh battery with a much more powerful 154bhp motor with 220Nm of torque that drops the 0-62mph time to 9.1s. Top speed on all versions of this BYD is limited to 93mph. Don't expect particularly engaging handling on faster roads, or much steering feel. Highway refinement isn't exemplary but matches the class norm. And it's the same story when it comes to ride quality, which is reasonably smooth but can get caught out by poorer surfaces and sharper speed humps. A fiddly dashboard button scrolls you through four drive modes - Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow. But BYD provides only two brake regen settings - 'standard' and 'high', which you won't be adjusting all that often because you can only get at them through a rather hidden screen menu option, which you won't be wanting to take your eyes off the road to try and find. Of course, as every citycar should be, the Dolphin Surf is at its best in town, where its light steering and tight turning circle are both welcome and the lethargic response of the Eco drive mode hardly noticeable.

Design and Build

The Dolphin Surf doesn't quite have the instant fashion-cred of a Renault 5 E-Tech or a Fiat 500e, but it's certainly a lot more visually appealing than budget EV citycars like Dacia's Spring and the Leapmotor T03. It's bigger than them too, at 3,990mm long the same length as a Renault 5, but narrower and taller. Styling cues are mixed; the profile's very 'Toyota Aygo X' and there's even a bit of Lamborghini in the headlights. Characteristic touches include the upwardly-angled rear side lower glasshouse line; the strange arching lowered side still trim strip; and the full-width rear light bar and prominent roof spoiler. As usual with BYD e-Platform chassis, the stance sees the wheels pushed right out to the corners of the car. Inside, it doesn't feel as cheaply finished as the rival budget brand models that aren't much less expensive. And there's the usual BYD party piece, a rotating central screen, this tablet-like one 10.1-inches in size, with a row of welcome short-cut switches below which give you access to driving modes, climate functions and audio volume. The instruments sit in a slightly cluttered smaller screen behind the three-spoke steering wheel with its big BYD central bezel. There's some interesting interior design. Like the rounded air vents; and quite nice materials for this price point, like the vegan leather seats and the soft grey suede-like fabric used on the door cards and centre console. But, as you'd expect from a citycar, there are hard dashboard plastics too - and cheap door-pulls. Forward visibility is good, but the big rear headrests and thick C-pillars can make it difficult to see out of the back. BYD claims its clever 'eight-in-one electric powertrain' system frees up interior space - and sure enough, it really does feel quite spacious in the back for a car of this class, helped by the relatively lengthy 2,500mm wheelbase. Only two adults are provided for in the back, but they fit there quite comfortably. For luggage, there's a 308-litre boot (similar to a Dacia Spring but around 100-litres litres more than a Leapmotor T03. And the thin rear seats fold to free up a 1,037-litre load space. The underfloor compartment provided is only just big enough for all the charging leads and there's no under-bonnet 'frunk' space.

Market and Model

Dolphin Surf prices start from just under £19,000 for the small-battery base 'Active' mode; but you'll need from around £22,000 for the bigger-battery 'Boost' version you'd probably want, with the top, more powerful, 'Comfort' range-topper at around £24,000. This pricing positions this BYD just above budget brand citycars like the Dacia Spring and the Leapmotor T03; and just below segment trendsetters like the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and the Hyundai Inster. Equipment levels look reasonable. All variants get adaptive cruise control, air conditioning, vegan leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and a 10.1-inch rotating central touchscreen. Bright 'Lime Green' paint is standard. And all models have V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability, allowing you to plug in an adaptor to the car's charge port to power various external devices - like, for example, a coffee machine or an electric grill. ISOFIX child car seat points in the front passenger seat and in the rear are also included. Mid-range 'Boost' variants get slightly larger 16-inch wheels, electrically-powered front seats and auto wipers. You have to stretch to top 'Comfort'-spec for a 360-degree camera system, full-LED headlights, heated seats and a wireless charging pad. Safety kit looks strong, with more camera safety features than is normal for a car in this segment - things like Lane departure assist and auto-dipping for the headlights. The brand says it's uprated the crash structure over the Chinese market model. And is proud that its innovative battery design passes the so-called 'nail penetration test', which means that if that battery is damaged in an accident, the chance of fire is very slim indeed.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the EV range figures in our 'Driving' section; expect efficiency of around 5.4 miles-per-kilowatt hour in normal driving. Which in the 'Comfort' model would equate to a range of over 230 miles. BYD has a long history as a battery manufacturer and, sure enough, it's LFP (lithium-ion phosphate) 'Blade' battery packs have a very sophisticated design, free of cobalt, which sees them integrated into the structure of the car. Unfortunately, they don't charge particularly quickly. The maximum charging speed for the base 'Active' variant's smaller 30kWh battery is just 65kW; the larger-capacity 43.2kWh battery that's fitted to 'Boost' and 'Comfort' models can charge at 85kW, but that's still not particularly quick. To be fair, it's faster than the Dacia Spring (which charges at 40kW) and the Leapmotor T03 (which charges at 48kW), but it's way behind the Renault 5 (which charges at 100kW). With either battery, the Dolphin Surf can be DC-replenished from 10 to 80% in around half an hour. As for AC charging at home, while using a typical single-phase 7.4kW wallbox, you'd need 7 hours 15 minutes for a full charge. If you're able to charge using a three-phase 11kW supply, you can reduce that charging time to 3.5 hours (for the 'Active' model's 30kWh battery) or five hours (for the 'Boost' and 'Comfort' variants' 43.2kWh battery). What else? Well this Dolphin Surf sits in insurance group 14A in 'Active' and 'Boost' forms, but the more powerful 'Comfort' version is in group 19D. To give you some perspective, a Renault 5 starts in group 18 while the Dacia Spring starts in group 24. As usual with BYD, there's a warranty that lasts for six years or 150,000km (that's 93,206 miles). Plus of course there's the usual eight year battery pack warranty.

Summary

There's lots for Western auto makers to worry about here. At one stroke, the Dolphin Surf makes some of their citycar EVs look a bit half-baked - and some of their supermini EVs seem somewhat irrelevant. If it looked and felt trendier and handled more sharply at speed, BYD's prospects with this car would be even stronger, particularly if the entry price could be lower. But even as it is, it's clear that the Dolphin Surf is going to play a huge part in taking its maker mainstream. We'd like to see faster charging speeds, but there's an awful lot else on the plus side, including class-leading cabin space, decent equipment levels and driving range figures that embarrass many budget brand citycar EVs. Here then, you've a model that encapsulates just why the BYD brand is growing so fast. Can anything stop it?

Read Full Review

Vehicle information and specification is supplied by an industry leading third party provider and is to be used for guidance only. We encourage you to check all equipment on the manufacturer's website before you place an order.

Standard Equipment

Technical Data

Options

Charging info

Driver Convenience

360 camera
4 x driving modes - Nomal/Eco/Sport/Snow
7" TFT segment code LCD instrument panel
Adaptive cruise control
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Cloud service - BYD APP
Driver monitoring system
Emergency call service
Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
Forward collision warning
Intelligent Cruise control (ICC)
Intelligent speed limit control (ISLC)
Intelligent voice control - "Hi BYD"
Lane departure assist (LDA)
Navigation system
Onboard 4G connectivity
Power assisted steering
Rear parking sensor
Smartphone wireless charging - 1x15W
Traffic sign recognition

Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension

11 kW Onboard charger
Mode 2 charging cable
Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)
Vehicle to load (V2L) function - 3.5 kW

Entertainment

10.1" Electrically rotatable touchscreen
4 speaker audio system
DAB+ FM radio
USB 1 x Type-A (18W) + 1 x Type-C (60W) front

Exterior Features

Automatic headlights
Driver side window with one-click lift and anti-pinch function
Electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors
Follow me home lighting
Footlights for exterior mirrors
Intelligent high beam assist
LED 3rd brake light
LED daytime running lights
LED Headlights
LED taillights
Rain sensing wipers
Rear fog lights
Rear side wing doors
Rear window and rear windscreen with tinted glass
Rear wiper
Towing hook

Interior Features

12V power sockets
2 rear head restraints
2 seat bench in 2nd row
50/50 split folding rear seats
Driver seat with 6-way electric adjustment
Front centre armrest with 2 cupholders
Front LED reading lights
Front passenger seat with 4-way electric adjustment
Front seat sun visor with illuminated mirror
Heated front seats
Integrated front headrests
ISOFIX and i-Size for front passenger and outer rear seats
Manual climate control
Single front passenger seat
Vegan leather multifunction steering wheel
Vegan leather upholstery
Velour floor mats

Passive Safety

2 rear 3 point safety belts
ABS
Auto vehicle hold function
Automatic emergency braking system
Belt with pretensioner and force limiter
Comfort stop
Cooperative regenerative braking system (CRBS)
Deactivation switch for front passenger's airbag
Driver's airbag
Electronic brake distribution
Electronic parking brake
Front passenger airbag
Front side air curtain airbag
Front side airbags
Front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes
Hill start assist function
Intelligent power brake system
Mechanical child safety lock
Traction control
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Vehicle dynamic control

Security

2 x Smart keys
Anti theft alarm
Digital key
Electronic immobiliser (Thatcham category 2)
Keyless entry and start

Wheels

16" alloy wheels
Tyre nut covers remover

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty

70
Battery Capacity in kWh

46
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins)

300
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change

0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW

11
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins)

30
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change

10-80
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW

85
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins)

22
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change

30-80
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW

85
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins)

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW

Not Available
Battery Leased

No
Battery Type

Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location

Right Side Front
Coupler/Connector Type

CCS Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW

85
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage

155000
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years

8
Usable Battery Capacity

43
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City

10.7
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb

15.9
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City

5.8
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb

3.9
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City

463
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb

311
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City

288
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb

193

Emissions - ICE

CO

Not Available
CO2 (g/km)

0
HC

Not Available
HC+NOx

Not Available
Noise Level dB(A)

Not Available
NOx

Not Available
Particles

Not Available
Standard Emissions

Not Available

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft

Not Available
Catalytic Convertor

Not Available
CC

1
Compression Ratio

Not Available
Cylinder Layout

Not Available
Cylinders

Not Available
Cylinders - Bore (mm)

Not Available
Cylinders - Stroke (mm)

Not Available
Engine Code

Not Available
Engine Layout

Not Available
Fuel Delivery

Not Available
Gears

1 SPEED
Number of Valves

Not Available
Transmission

AUTO

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying

Yes
Badge Engine CC
Badge Power

156
Based On ID

Not Available
Coin Description

Not Available
Coin Series

Comfort
Generation Mark

1
Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07

19D
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %

82
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %

86
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

5
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %

76
NCAP Safety Assist %

77
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?

No
Service Interval Frequency - Months

24
Service Interval Mileage

20000
Special Edition

No
Special Order

No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage

93750
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years

6
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months

Not Available
Timing Belt Interval Mileage

Not Available
Vehicle Homologation Class

M1

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs)

9.1
Engine Power - BHP

156
Engine Power - KW

115
Engine Torque - LBS.FT

162
Engine Torque - MKG

22.4
Engine Torque - NM

220
Top Speed

93

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle

WLTP
RDE Certification Level

N/A

Tyres

Alloys?

Yes
Tyre Size Front

185/55 R16
Tyre Size Rear

185/55 R16
Wheel Style

Not Available
Wheel Type

16" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height

1590
Height (including roof rails)

Not Available
Length

3990
Wheelbase

2500
Width

1720
Width (including mirrors)

1970

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight

1734
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down)

1037
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up)

308
Max. Loading Weight

344
Minimum Kerbweight

1390
No. of Seats

4
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb

9.9

Exterior Features

Additional Metallic paint
Metallic paint

Paintwork

Metallic - Apricity white
Metallic - Ice blue
Metallic - Lime green
Metallic - Polar night black

Trim

Vegan leather - Black/Grey

Charging Speeds

6h 34min

Home

7kW Charger

0h 55min

Fast

50kW Charger

0h 27min

Rapid

100kW Charger

0h 18min

Ultra-Rapid

150kW Charger

Company car tax calculator

Tax Year	BIK	BIK Value	Tax Payable at 20%	Tax Payable at 40%
2026/27	4%	£79.70	£15.94	£31.88
2027/28	5%	£99.63	£19.93	£39.85
2028/29	7%	£139.48	£27.90	£55.79
2029/30	9%	£179.33	£35.87	£71.73

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