Review: BYD Dolphin Surf
BYD has become one of the most well-known of all the latest Chinese car manufacturers that have recently joined the UK car market.
Ever since the firm arrived on our shores in 2023, it has been churning out electric SUVs and saloons.
However, where the EV market has been lacking in recent years is at the affordable end of the market, so to fill that gap, BYD has launched the Dolphin Surf. It’s a cheap and cheerful city car that rivals the Dacia Spring and promises to not only offer cheeky looks, but a decent driving experience too.
What’s new?
The car is all new, with it sitting on the firm’s e-Platform 3.0 architecture, allowing for multiple battery pack options. Also, the exterior design is new, along with an interior which features a decent amount of storage and occupant space.
Also, there is a choice of three trim levels and the car comes fitted with BYD’s Blade Battery technology which uses less precious metals, is tougher and more durable than the standard lithium-ion units found in other EVs.
What’s under the bonnet?
There is a choice of two battery options with the Dolphin Surf, but we’re driving the larger 43.2kWh model.
In terms of power, there is a single electric motor that pumps out 154bhp and 220Nm of torque, while 0-60mph takes 8.9 seconds and the car will reach a top speed of 93mph.
The larger battery pack is also compatible with speeds of up to 85kW from a DC rapid charger, allowing for a 30 to 80 per cent top-up to take 22 minutes.
What’s it like to drive?
The Dolphin Surf has been designed to conquer the city streets, so it comes as no surprise that it performs best around town.
The steering is nicely weighted and doesn’t feel artificially light, and the power from the electric motor is more than acceptable with it having a decent amount of pulling power. Visibility all round is great thanks to the large side windows and the turning circle is very tight, making those tricky manoeuvres much easier.
How does it look?
The car has a design that makes it look like nothing else out on the road, in a good way.
The standard Lime Green paint makes it look bright and unique, while at the front, there is a black plastic bumper that features a honeycomb-effect design.
The side profile is dominated by curves and creases to give the car a more muscular look, and the C-pillars feature black plastic trim which runs around to the rear window to give a floating roof effect.
At the back, there is a curved rear light bar and kick-up tailgate design, while the standard roof spoiler gives the car a sportier look.
What’s it like inside?
The interior of the car is simple, yet it comes with plenty of storage features to make it one of the best-in-class.
The dashboard itself features a 10.1-inch rotatable touch screen, which is easy to use; however it’s a shame that the climate control functions are still within the system itself, which makes it not as user-friendly as it could be.
But, at least you get physical buttons for features such as the driving modes and auto-hold function.
The quality in places does feel cheap with hard plastics found on the door cards and lower sections of the interior.
In terms of storage, the Chinese manufacturer claims that there is a total of 20 litres of storage dotted about the cabin, including an average glove box, two cup holders, an underneath centre storage cut out and deep front door bins.
Space in the back is where the Dolphin Surf trumps the competition as there is positively loads of head and legroom and the flat floor means you can slide your feet under the front seats, making it feel a lot more comfortable.
Open the boot and there is a total of 308 litres to play with or 1,037 litres if you drop the 50:50 split seats. There is also additional under-floor storage for the charging cables or there is even space for a small suitcase.
What’s the spec like?
There is a choice of three trim levels, and all of them come with lots of standard equipment.
All variations come with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which enables electrical appliances such as a microwave or hairdryer to be plugged in using the car’s battery.
Prices start at £18,650 for the entry-level Active trim and includes a 10.1-inch rotatable touchscreen, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and adaptive cruise control.
Move up to the mid-level Boost at £21,950 and it adds 16-inch alloy wheels, electric folding door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and electrically adjustable front seats.
We’re driving the top-of-the-line Comfort, which comes in at £23,950 and boasts a 360-degree camera, LED headlights, a wireless smartphone charger, heated front seats and rear privacy glass.
Verdict
BYD seems to have cracked it with the small, affordable EV segment. Not only does the Dolphin Surf provide a decent electric range for city use, but with its practical interior, funky looks and decent equipment levels, it looks as though the Chinese firm is onto a winner.
It may not be the most comfortable driving experience, but there’s no doubt that this little BYD has a lot of things going for it, and it beats the competition in pretty much every area.
We’ve got a broad range of BYD models here at UK CarLine, alongside other cars from the new wave of Chinese manufacturers. Check them out today.
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