BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD Dolphin Surf is an electric car with a WLTP range of up to 220 km, ready to compare across key specifications before buying.

Model years: 2025 - present

BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD Dolphin Surf is an electric car with a WLTP range of up to 220 km, ready to compare across key specifications before buying.

Power: 88 hp
WLTP range: 220 km
EPA range: 187 km
Drive: FWD
Battery type: LFP
0-100 acceleration: 11.1 s

* specifications are for the base version of the vehicle. Other configurations are available in the trims section.

Trims

3 trims available

Choose a BYD Dolphin Surf version by range, power, battery and price guide.

Active
Active
from $25 900 price guide
The Active trim with key specifications for comparison.
- WLTP range — 220 km
- Power / torque — 88 hp / 175 N·m
- Drive — FWD
- Battery capacity — 30 kWh
- 0-100 acceleration — 11.1 s
- Top speed — 150 km/h
Boost
Boost
from $30 400 price guide
The Boost trim with key specifications for comparison.
- WLTP range — 322 km
- Power / torque — 88 hp / 175 N·m
- Drive — FWD
- Battery capacity — 43 kWh
- 0-100 acceleration — 12.1 s
- Top speed — 150 km/h
Comfort
Comfort
from $34 900 price guide
The Comfort trim with key specifications for comparison.
- WLTP range — 310 km
- Power / torque — 156 hp / 220 N·m
- Drive — FWD
- Battery capacity — 43 kWh
- 0-100 acceleration — 9.1 s
- Top speed — 150 km/h

Specifications

Full specifications

Technical data is grouped into tabs for quick switching between range, battery and dimensions.

Motor, range and performance

Range, real-world consumption, motors, power and acceleration figures for the BYD Dolphin Surf.

Group	Specification	Value
Range	WLTP range	220 km
	EPA range	187 km
	Real-world range, combined mild	≈217 km, estimate
	Real-world range, combined cold	≈161 km, estimate
Consumption	Official consumption	≈16.0 kWh/100 km
	Real-world consumption, combined mild	≈13.8 kWh/100 km
	Real-world consumption, combined cold	≈18.6 kWh/100 km
Motors	Number of motors	1
	Front	PMSM
	Rear	PMSM
	Platform	e-Platform 3.0
Power	Power	88 hp
	Overboost / Launch Control	No
	Torque	175 N·m
Performance	0-100 km/h	11.1 s
	0-60 mph	10.7 s
	Top speed	150 km/h

Battery, architecture and charging

Key battery data, architecture, AC/DC charging and Plug & Charge support.

Group	Specification	Value
Capacity	Gross capacity	30 kWh
Capacity	Net / usable capacity	28.5 kWh
Architecture	Architecture	400 V
	Battery type	LFP
	Cell format	Prismatic Blade
	Battery manufacturer	BYD
Thermal management	Thermal management	Yes
Thermal management	Heat pump	No
AC	AC charging	11 kW
AC	AC 0-100%	≈2.7 h
DC	Maximum DC power	65 kW
DC	DC 10-80%	30 min, reference / ≈30 min in tests
Port	Port	Type 2 / CCS Combo 2
	Plug & Charge	No
	Autocharge	Yes

Dimensions, weight, wheels and tires

Physical dimensions, clearance, weight, payload and standard wheels for the BYD Dolphin Surf.

Group	Specification	Value
Dimensions	Length	3 990 mm
	Width without mirrors	1 720 mm
	Width with mirrors	1 970 mm
	Height	1 590 mm
	Wheelbase	2 500 mm
	Ground clearance	151 mm
Weight	Curb weight	1 294 kg
	Gross vehicle weight	1 638 kg
	Maximum payload	344 kg
Wheels	Wheels	15″ alloy
Tires	Tires	175/65 R15 front and rear

Interior

Interior gallery

Cabin, dashboard, digital displays, seating position and trim details of the BYD Dolphin Surf.

Exterior

Exterior gallery

Bodywork, lighting, wheels, rear design and charging port of the BYD Dolphin Surf.

Model overview

BYD Dolphin Surf in detail

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a small city electric car that entered the European market in 2025. It is based on the Chinese Seagull, but the European version is longer, better equipped and structurally refined. The model is offered in three versions. Active has the smallest battery and the lowest price, Boost focuses on driving range, while Comfort gets a much stronger motor and richer equipment. That is why the most expensive version is not the one with the longest range.

Design and positioning

The Dolphin Surf has short overhangs, a high roofline and full-width rear lights. Its 3990 mm length and 1720 mm width make parking easier, while the 2500 mm wheelbase leaves plenty of room inside. This is not a five-seat hatchback: there are only two seats in the rear. Four adults have enough space for short trips. The boot holds 308 litres, or 1037 litres with the rear seatbacks folded; there is also an underfloor compartment for the cable.

Active has simpler wheels and halogen headlights. Comfort gets LED lighting, tinted rear glass and electrically folding mirrors. Ground clearance of around 13–15 cm reminds you that this is a city car, not a crossover.

Interior and technology

The 10.1-inch screen can rotate horizontally or vertically. There is navigation, voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an app and over-the-air updates. Physical buttons have been retained for some basic functions. A compact digital instrument display sits in front of the driver. The materials are mostly hard, but the cabin is neatly assembled. In Boost, the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable, while Comfort adds heated seats, wireless charging and 360° cameras.

Six airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance are standard. The Dolphin Surf received five Euro NCAP stars: 82% for adult occupant protection and 86% for child occupant protection. Speed and driver-attention warnings can be intrusive.

Battery and driving range

Active has a 30 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate battery and an official WLTP combined range of 220 km. Up to 356 km is claimed in the city, but this figure should not be applied to motorway driving. This version suits predictable daily routes, provided regular home charging is available. Boost and Comfort use a 43.2 kWh battery. Boost can travel up to 322 km WLTP, while the more powerful Comfort reaches up to 310 km. In winter and on fast roads, the real distance will be significantly lower.

The onboard charger accepts 11 kW AC. A full charge takes 3.5 hours for Active and 5 hours for the higher versions. At a DC station, 65 or 85 kW is available; charging from 10 to 80% takes about 30 minutes.

Performance and handling

Active and Boost have front-wheel drive, a 65 kW (88 hp) motor and 175 Nm. Active accelerates to 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds, while the heavier Boost needs 12.1 seconds. In city traffic, the instant initial pull is sufficient, but overtaking on the motorway already requires planning. Comfort gets 115 kW (156 hp) and 220 Nm, reducing the 0–100 km/h time to 9.1 seconds. It feels noticeably livelier at speeds outside the city, but uses slightly more energy. The top speed of all versions is limited to around 150 km/h.

The front MacPherson strut suspension and rear torsion beam are tuned for comfort. In fast corners, the tall body and soft setup are noticeable, while tyre and wind noise increase on the motorway.

Pros of the BYD Dolphin Surf

1. Convenient city dimensions.
A length of less than four metres and a small turning radius make parking easier.
2. Spacious cabin for its class.
The 2500 mm wheelbase leaves enough room for four passengers.
3. Practical boot.
A capacity of 308–1037 litres exceeds what many city electric cars can offer.
4. Proper AC charging.
Three-phase 11 kW charging allows the small battery to be replenished quickly.
5. Strong equipment and safety.
Driver assists, multimedia and five Euro NCAP stars are available in a compact format.
6. LFP battery.
The Blade Battery is well suited to regular full charging in city use.

Cons of the BYD Dolphin Surf

1. Only four seats.
The rear row cannot accommodate a third passenger, even for a short distance.
2. Limited Active range.
The official 220 km quickly drops in winter or on the motorway.
3. Moderate DC charging power.
A maximum of 65–85 kW limits convenience on frequent long trips.
4. Slow Boost version.
The larger battery combined with the base motor gives a 0–100 km/h time of 12.1 seconds.
5. Simple materials.
There is more hard plastic in the cabin than the bright photos might suggest.
6. Intrusive assistants.
Frequent warnings can become annoying in daily use.

The BYD Dolphin Surf is best suited to the city, the suburbs and an owner with home or workplace charging. It offers more space and equipment than its exterior dimensions suggest. For regular motorway or autobahn routes, it is better to look for an electric car with a larger battery and more powerful fast charging.

Active is the cheapest solution for short daily trips. Boost is the most rational choice thanks to its 322 km WLTP range, as long as its relaxed performance is not a problem. Comfort is worth choosing for the stronger motor, 360° cameras, heated seats and LED headlights, with the understanding that the range will be slightly lower.