BYD Dolphin Surf review: Electric city car with great potential

With the BYD Dolphin Surf, the Chinese automaker aims to make a breakthrough in Europe in terms of sales figures. Will it be that easy for them to achieve this? We examined this and much more in our everyday test of the Dolphin Surf, which costs under €25.000. Can BYD achieve what Volkswagen plans to do with the ID. Polo in 2026/2027?

tl;dr: The cheapest BYD with more ambition than a purely economical electric car

The BYD Dolphin Surf It is currently the cheapest model in the European BYD portfolio and is even planned for the European market in the future. proIt will be marketed under this name. In testing, it proves to be a practical electric small car with a decent range, good standard equipment, and an overall mature driving experience. Compared to the Dacia Spring, the most affordable new electric car available to date, the Dolphin Surf is clearly positioned a class above. Its weaknesses lie in the software and perceived quality of the materials, but overall it offers significantly more substance than typical minimalist solutions.

Video report:

Design: Subtly modern rather than boldly experimental

The BYD Dolphin Surf opts for understated design, which is likely to appeal to many buyers. The design is modern, friendly, and clearly aimed at a broad target audience. Compact dimensions, short overhangs, and cleanly designed LED lights make it the ideal companion in urban environments. Instead of appearing like a typical economy model, the Dolphin Surf looks surprisingly mature and practical for everyday use. In its direct competitive landscape, it clearly positions itself above purely entry-level electric cars without visually encroaching on higher vehicle classes. After all, the former chief designer of Lamborghini and Audi is responsible for the Dolphin Surf's design.

The charging port, conveniently located at the front left, is also practical and easily accessible in everyday use. The boot space is decent for this vehicle class and is sufficient. proNo problem for shopping trips or short weekend getaways.

Interior: Modern layout with clear cost-saving measures

Inside, the Dolphin Surf presents a clear and contemporary appearance. The central infotainment display, which, as with every BYD, can be rotated, dominates the cockpit and creates a modern first impression. The display is sharp, and the basic controls are easy to learn. However, the materials clearly show that BYD has consistently optimized costs. Hard plastics are found almost everywhere, but they appear well-finished and solidly mounted.

The seats offer sufficient comfort for everyday use, and the amount of space in the rear is also a pleasant surprise. This clearly demonstrates that the Dolphin Surf aims to be more than just an affordable city car and can certainly be considered a compact all-rounder.

Software: Wide range of functions, little refinement

The Dolphin Surf's biggest weakness remains its software. While the infotainment system offers numerous features, it doesn't always feel fully developed. Menu structures are sometimes unnecessarily convoluted, and response times could be noticeably faster. Over-the-air updates are planned, but current development seems somewhat hesitant.

Compared to very basic systems like the one in the Dacia Spring, BYD offers significantly more comfort and technology, but this advantage comes at the cost of greater complexity and noticeable room for improvement in the details. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard wireless features and work quite satisfactorily.

Driving experience: Comfort is clearly the focus

On the road, the BYD Dolphin Surf proves pleasantly relaxed. The suspension is comfortably tuned and perfectly suited to city traffic and commuting. The steering is light and easy to maneuver, but offers little feedback at higher speeds.

The tested Boost version features an electric motor with 65 kW (88 hp) output and 175 Nm of torque. This allows the Dolphin Surf to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 12 seconds and feels significantly more confident in everyday driving than classic entry-level models like the... Dacia Spring 45Even on country roads and motorways, you can make relaxed progress as long as you don't have any sporty ambitions. The top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h, more than sufficient for this vehicle class.

Consumption and charging: Implemented for everyday use

In city traffic, the Dolphin Surf scores points with low consumption figures and good efficiency. On country roads in winter temperatures, however, the Surf consumes 17 to 18 kWh/100 km. This is quite high for the vehicle's weight and size. An ID.3, with significantly more weight and power, achieves a similar average consumption. The Blade battery with a capacity of around 44 kWh enables a WLTP range of up to 427 km, while in realistic mixed driving, around 300 to 350 km is easily achievable depending on driving style. On the motorway, consumption increases as expected, but remains within the normal range compared to other vehicles in its class. We measured 20 kWh/100 km at an average speed of 120 km/h.

The Dolphin Surf proves practical when it comes to charging. AC charging is possible at up to 11 kW, and DC fast charging at up to 85 kW. This allows for longer journeys without excessive charging stops. Nevertheless, the Dolphin Surf is more of a city/country car than a long-distance vehicle.

Conclusion: Well-positioned, not cheaply made

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a deliberately price-competitive electric car that nevertheless meets the demands of a fully-fledged vehicle. It offers noticeably more comfort, safety, and performance than, for example, a Dacia Spring, and is aimed at buyers who want affordable electric driving without completely forgoing modern technology. Therefore, systems such as ACC (adaptive cruise control) and LCC (linear collision avoidance) are standard even on the most affordable model.

In direct comparison to the Dacia Spring, the market position becomes clear. The Dolphin Surf isn't the cheapest electric car, but it offers significantly more everyday usability, performance, and features. Anyone looking for a modern, efficient electric car for city driving and commuting, and who can live with compromises in software and material quality, will find a very well-rounded package here that also drives quite well and inspires a sense of security.