Mat Watson reviews the new BYD Dolphin Surf: cheap, but not cheap enough

This is the new BYD Dolphin Surf, and it’s one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy right now – beaten only by the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. But is it cheap and cheerful, or just cheap?

Well, it certainly stands out in this bright green paint, and that’s the only no-cost colour option as well. I’m just not too sure about the design. It’s not ugly, but it’s also not particularly handsome. Bits of it remind me of the old Chevrolet Spark, such as the tall side profile, and it’s got a weird protrusion on the rear bumper which I’m not so sure about.

Things do get better inside. It’s not an exciting cabin, but quality is decent throughout and there are plenty of storage cubbies. For such a small car, it also has plenty of rear legroom and an ok-sized boot. The tech does let the side down though, with a fiddly infotainment system and weird rocker switches which aren’t all that intuitive to use.

Out on the road, things aren’t so great. I did manage to gel with the car after a few days with it, but the Dolphin Surf isn’t as comfortable as a Renault 5, nor is it as fun as an MG4. It’s easy to drive in town though, and it was very efficient as well.

I managed 4.0 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of 172 miles. That’s not bad when you consider the claimed range is 200 miles, and the Dacia Spring’s claimed range is just 140 miles.

Despite a few niggles, there’s actually a lot to like about the new BYD Dolphin Surf. Here are five cool things about it.

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1. Super-fast charging

Not for the car, but for your laptop. The USB ports in the front can deliver up to 60 watts of power, so you can charge up those power-hungry devices while you’re out and about. All models also get vehicle-to-load charging, so you can power household appliances through a three-pin socket.

2. It’s kind to pedestrians

All electric cars have to emit a noise at low speeds to warn pedestrians of your presence. Usually, this is just a generic bonging or whirring sound, but in the Dolphin Surf you get some relaxing wind chimes. Much more peaceful.

3. You get loads of standard equipment

The Dolphin Surf may be a bit more expensive than the Dacia Spring, but it’s way better-equipped. All models get adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera, and higher-spec versions get a 360-degree surround-view system.

4. Room for triplets

This may be a small car, but it has three ISOFIX anchor points. Getting three bulky child seats in will be a squeeze, but it is at least possible.

5. Great peace of mind

The BYD Dolphin Surf comes with a competitive six-year warranty, two years more than the Leapmotor T03. Both cars do get an eight-year battery warranty as well.

So the BYD Dolphin Surf does have plenty going for it, but there are also some annoying things about it which got on my nerves while I had the car. Here are five things I didn’t love about this car.

1. Long rear doors

This is a small car, but the back doors are massive. It’s not like you get a wide opening either, because most of it is just bodywork. Kids are almost certainly going to bash the car next to them in a car park.

2. You can’t switch just the ignition on

There’s no option to turn on just the accessory power without switching the entire car on. This means you can’t just quickly roll the windows up without getting in and putting your foot on the brake.

3. No front boot

It looks like there should be room for some storage under the bonnet, but this is a cheap car so I guess they just didn’t bother spending the cash to do that.

4. Cupholders

I’m very particular when it comes to cupholders, and the ones in the Dolphin Surf aren’t great. They’re quite big, but they also don’t have any sort of grippers. Massive vats of coffee will be fine, but slim bottles of water will fly around under braking.

5. Sitting in the cheap seats

Those in the front of this car may be able to charge their phones and laptops, but there are no USB ports in the rear seats. How are iPad babies going to cope?

BYD Dolphin Surf: my final verdict

So then, should you avoid, consider, shortlist or buy the new BYD Dolphin Surf? Well, I reckon you should consider it.

It’s not a bad small EV, you get loads of kit and it’s reasonably practical, but there are a few electric cars you could buy for similar money which are just better.

Through Carwow, you can buy an MG4 for £20,500 – the same as a mid-spec Dolphin Surf. The MG is bigger, has much better range and is more enjoyable to drive. The brilliant Renault 5 also costs the same as a range-topping BYD, and that’s more efficient and more comfortable.

A lot of people lease their electric cars, and the monthly prices make the BYD even harder to justify. A 36-month lease on a Dolphin Surf will cost you just under £250 per month, the same as the MG4 and only around £10 per month less than a Renault 5.

In this company, the BYD Dolphin Surf just doesn’t really stack up. If you stumble across an insane deal on one, it’ll be a perfectly adequate runaround. Otherwise, you’ll be better off with something a bit more substantial.

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