Behind the Wheel of the BYD Dolphin Surf: Highlighted by Bright Colours, It's as Attractive as Its Price

After conquering the Chinese market in just over twenty years, dethroning Tesla as the world's leading electric car manufacturer, and demonstrating the ability to recharge batteries in five minutes at ultra-fast 1,000 kW charging stations, BYD is now targeting Europe with the new Dolphin Surf. This versatile urban car measures 3.99 metres in length, positioned below the Dolphin launched in 2023 in the compact segment (4.29 metres).

Priced from €19,990 (€11,780 with incentives and discounts) in a basic yet well-equipped entry-level version (featuring adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera, NFC chip access, or GPS with a rotating touchscreen, among others), the BYD Dolphin Surf is set to challenge all urban electric cars.

The Dolphin Surf Active comes with an 88 HP motor and a small 30 kWh gross LFP battery, offering a range of just 220 km. Priced at €23,990 (€15,780 with incentives and discounts), the Boost trim features a 43.2 kWh battery that extends its range to 322 km in the WLTP combined cycle.

Sold for €26,490 (€18,280 with incentives and discounts), the Comfort level boosts power to 156 HP and elevates equipment to its highest level (360° cameras, heated seats, smartphone induction charging, see detailed equipment at the end of the article). This latest generation Dolphin Surf is the one we have experienced during its presentation, before assessing its real-world range in a more in-depth test.

Sitting in a sporty seat, we turn the curious cylindrical gear selector (it resembles another ventilation control) located above the air vents. The BYD starts silently... as long as we ignore the warning beeps and don't press the pedal too hard: despite being on perfectly dry asphalt, the 220 Nm of torque already exceeds the traction of the front wheels thanks to the push of the 156 HP electric motor.

The brake pedal feel is natural, and its consistency can be configured in two levels. The same option applies to the steering assistance (which would benefit from Comfort or Normal modes instead of Normal or Sport, unnecessarily stiff) and for the regeneration level during deceleration. Almost negligible in Normal mode, this "engine brake" slightly increases in High mode without coming to a stop. When parking, the Dolphin Surf Comfort finally reveals its secret weapon: a set of 360° cameras scanning the bumpers, sides, and small alloy wheels. Parking becomes child's play, despite the mediocre turning radius for an electric car.

Regarding the suspension, midway between hard and soft, it absorbs city bumps well.

On the road, the Dolphin Surf reaches 120 km/h with a light press of the accelerator and activates its semi-autonomous driving system with a dedicated button on the steering wheel. The distance to the preceding vehicle sometimes fluctuates, and the steering wheel often oscillates to keep the car centred in its lane, but this equipment is rare at this level and demonstrates the technological orientation of the small Chinese car.

Certified at 310 km in the WLTP combined cycle, the range of the Dolphin Surf 156 HP, on our route combining streets and highways around Madrid at 110 km/h, consumed 14.8 kWh/100 km, equating to over 270 km of range on this route, reflecting daily use. Measured at a temperature of 20°C, these values will be more than sufficient in summer. However, they should decrease in the winter season, which is usually harsh for an LFP battery model without a heat pump.

It should be noted that, in daily use, the Dolphin Surf tolerates up to 11 kW in alternating current (meaning a 5-hour wait for a full charge at a public terminal of this power) and remains compatible, like all BYD models, with bidirectional charging that allows powering an electrical device through an adapter in its charging port (3,300 W max).

Although its exterior dimensions are compact, the interior is spacious and very habitable. While rigid, the materials are carefully assembled and convey a good perception of quality, like the original dashboard covering that mimics suede. This atmosphere is complemented by seats with integrated headrests and a three-spoke steering wheel covered in faux leather, as well as the famous rotating central screen.

Smaller than other BYD models (10.1 inches here), the central touchscreen rotates a quarter turn with just a button press on the steering wheel. The vertical position is not compatible if we connect the smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. GPS navigation with traffic information (but without danger zones) and the efficient route planner make it unnecessary, as do the multiple music apps. There's even karaoke to pass the time while recharging...

Although well-presented on its main pages, the interface requires time to get used to. Between the manual air conditioning controlled via the screen (numbers 1 to 15 replace the programmed temperature of automatic air conditioning) and settings spread across different menus (speed alerts, regeneration level, steering consistency, nothing is grouped), one often has to take their eyes off the road. There is a page of customisable shortcuts, but it never appears the first time and requires nimble fingers to target its small keys.

In the rear seats, two passengers travel very well. Excellent headroom, generously reclined backrest, and very good legroom that will accommodate adults (not all rivals can say the same...). The boot is more common, with 308 litres announced, including the space under the floor to accommodate the two charging cables. The lack of a rear shelf and a flat loading area with the seats folded affects modularity.

Comfortable, welcoming, and well-presented for an urban car, the BYD Dolphin Surf in the 156 HP version offers performance as respectable as models in the upper segment. The range, which is more than sufficient for daily use (43.2 kWh battery), becomes too short for embarking on a long journey with peace of mind, but no rival does it better.

Like other BYD models, the small Chinese car, in addition to an excellent price-to-product ratio, offers other qualities that make it attractive.