Dolphin Surf Review

Introduction 

Although it’s based on the same e-Platform 3.0 underpinnings as the regular Dolphin, and shares some components, the Dolphin Surf is a completely different model. In its native China, it wears the Seagull badge and is a best seller, but BYD’s European management clearly thought that naming a car after a marauding, chip-stealing avian wasn’t the best plan so we get a different ocean themed name instead.

At just under four metres long and 1.6 metres tall, the Surf has been designed to be compact enough to squeeze through tight city streets and slot into awkward parking bays. But don’t be fooled by the dinky footprint. Thanks to its EV-only platform, there’s cabin and boot space to rival cars a class up which we think makes it a competitor for models like the entry level Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster. Designed to make waves in the increasingly busy sub-£20k electric supermini category, it’s has the potential to be BYD’s most important new model to date and feel more sophisticated than rivals like the Leap T03 and Dacia Spring scoring on generous levels of tech and equipment offered across the range.

Styling and dimensions

The Surf is 30cm shorter than the Dolphin but around 20cm longer than a Dacia Spring. From the side, the Dolphin Surf has a clean silhouette with a slightly squat stance. Chunky wheelarches house 15- or 16-inch alloys (depending on trim), while the roof appears to float above the body thanks to a neat C-pillar treatment inspired by, you guessed it, ice crystals. In the metal, it looks a fairly narrow, but that initial impression is a little deceptive. At 1.7 metres wide, it’s 10cm wider than a Dacia Spring, and around the same as a Vauxhall Corsa-e, so you’ll still need to be careful through width restrictions.  

Former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger - who also designed the Audi R8 - led the Seagull’s design, and I think you an spot some Lambo inspired design cues on those sharp LED headlights and short front overhang. Angular daytime running lights give it a distinctive face, with creased bumpers adding a bit of drama. Around the back, there’s a wide LED light bar and an integrated roof spoiler to help smooth airflow and boost aero efficiency. 

Batteries, Range and Charging

Under the Dolphin Surf sits BYD’s now-familiar Blade Battery, using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry to boost safety and durability. You get a choice of two sizes: a 30kWh pack in the Active model, and a larger 43.2kWh version in the Boost and Comfort trims. The top range figure? Around 137 miles for the smaller battery and 200 for the larger pack, with the top of the range Comfort trim dropping down slightly thanks to its more powerful motor.

Kerb weight is 1,390kg for the heaviest Comfort model, which is on a par with class rivals, but a good deal weightier than the Dacia Spring, which comes in at under a tonne. 

DC charging speeds max out at 65kW (Active) or 85kW (Boost/Comfort), which is slower than you’ll find in comparable cars such as the Peugeot e208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e. However, a 10-80% charge should take no more than 30 minutes at a rapid charger. 

AC charging peaks at 11kW across the range, so an overnight top-up at home is easily done.

The Dolphin Surf’s line-up is refreshingly simple. The entry-level Active gets an 87bhp motor, which is good for 0–62mph in a leisurely 11.1 seconds. The Boost version pairs that same motor with the bigger battery, while the Comfort adds a bit more poke, 154bhp to be exact, and shaves a couple of seconds off the 0–62mph sprint.

Is it quick? Not really. But it’s nippy enough for city traffic, and that instant EV torque makes it feel lively at low speeds. Think sprightly, not sporty. Of the three, I reckon the mid-range Boost hits the sweet spot. It doesn't need the extra shove you get from the most powerful motor in its class, and it strikes a good balance between nippiness and driving range.

You get three driving modes: Comfort, Sport, and Eco. There's not a huge difference in feel between the first two, and Eco deadens the throttle response - as you might expect - in the name of conserving range. Where I think BYD has missed a trick is with the brake regeneration, which is mild to say the least. BYD as a brand doesn't offer true one-pedal driving, but even with that in mind, I’d like it to be more assertive. The footbrake also feels slightly spongy on first press and seems to take a second to spring into life.

Ride comfort is generally decent, but it isn’t quite refined enough to soak up the worst lumps and bumps in the road. My first brief test was on the congested streets of Rome, so while I can praise its ability to handle hectic Italian traffic, we’ll need longer behind the wheel to see how it performs on faster roads and motorways in terms of refinement and power.

Interior, design and technology

The cabin is a pleasant surprise. Thanks to a generous 2,500mm wheelbase, there’s room for four adults without anyone needing to draw straws. The layout is simple but thoughtful: a low-set dashboard with brushed metal accents, a floating 10.1-inch touchscreen (that rotates - this is a BYD after all), and proper physical buttons for the essentials.

Higher trims add heated seats, wireless phone charging and even ambient lighting. All versions get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, plus BYD’s own voice assistant. Just say “Hi BYD” and it’ll adjust the temperature or set the sat nav.

The seats themselves are comfortable enough for long stints and supportive through corners. Three ISOFIX points make the Dolphin Surf properly family-friendly too – two in the back and one in the front passenger seat.

There’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability too, so you can run gadgets, a coffee machine or even a portable speaker directly from the car’s battery while you’re out and about.

All models come with a decent level of driver assistance as standard. That includes lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and intelligent high-beam assist. The structure uses 68% high-strength steel, and the Blade Battery has passed BYD’s infamous nail penetration test—something not every EV can claim.

If you’re after full 360-degree cameras, rain-sensing wipers and LED headlights, the top-spec Comfort is the one to go for. But even the entry-level car doesn’t feel stripped out.

Practicality and Boot Space

Boot space is on par with all the Surf’s supermini sector rivals. With 308 litres on offer, it has an identical capacity to the Dacia Spring and is just three litres shy of the Peugeot e-208’s total. Folding the rear seats unlocks just over 1,000 litres of usable space. You’ll also find 20 handy storage compartments scattered around the cabin, including a cable-sized cubby beneath the boot floor, which is a good touch. 

Electrifying.com Verdict

The BYD Dolphin Surf might just hit the sweet spot for buyers who want a usable electric car without breaking the bank. It’s got enough space to be practical, enough tech to feel modern, and just enough character to stand out. More importantly, it comes at a price point that proves that going electric doesn’t need to mean making compromises.