The BYD Dolphin Surf is BYD's smallest car: a four-seat electric hatchback just 3.99m long, with a 308-litre boot, up to 200 miles of WLTP range and a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. This page explains the battery choices and the Active, Boost and Comfort trims so you can pick the right version before you look at the deals.
The BYD Dolphin Surf is a small electric hatchback built for town driving, and it's the smallest and simplest car BYD sells in the UK. At 3.99 metres long with four seats and a 308-litre boot, it's aimed at commuters, second-car households and anyone who wants an EV without a big car's footprint.
It sits below the rest of BYD's electric range, and the choice in front of you is refreshingly narrow: one hatchback body, one electric powertrain family with a 32-46 kWh battery and 87-154 bhp, and three trims - Active, Boost and the more powerful Comfort.
Everything comes with an automatic single-speed drive and front-wheel drive, so the real decisions are how much battery you need and how much kit you want.
BYD Dolphin Surf key facts
| Body style | Hatchback |
|---|---|
| Powertrains | Electric (87–154 bhp) |
| Seats | 4 |
| Boot | 308 litres, 1,037 litres seats folded |
| Electric range (WLTP) | up to 200 miles |
| Manufacturer warranty | 6 years / 93,750 miles |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars |
Manufacturer data for the versions we currently offer. Last updated 19 September 2026.
The Dolphin Surf is BYD's entry point: a four-seat, five-door electric hatchback designed around city use, with a 9.9-metre turning circle that makes U-turns and multi-storey ramps far less of an event than the size of the car suggests.
Reviewers consistently praise how much space and equipment BYD has packed into a car under four metres long, and rate the cabin quality well above the cheapest small EVs. The common criticisms are the touchscreen menus and the driver-assistance systems, which some testers find fussy.
The hard facts back up the value case: a 308-litre boot with the rear seats up, 1,037 litres folded, a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and a six-year or 93,750-mile manufacturer warranty.
Because the standard specification is unusually generous for the size of car, and leasing lets you run it for a fixed monthly amount while the warranty covers the whole term. Every Dolphin Surf, including the entry version, arrives well equipped.
Across the range you get adaptive cruise control, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, keyless entry and start, climate control, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors.
The safety kit is equally complete: autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, active lane-change assist, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam are all standard, and Euro NCAP awarded five stars with 82% for adult occupant protection and 86% for child occupant protection.
BYD's battery warranty runs to eight years or 155,000 miles and guarantees 70% of capacity, and servicing is due every 24 months or 20,000 miles - worth knowing when you're setting the length of your agreement. If you're new to EVs, our electric car guide covers the basics before you order.
There's only one: electric. Every Dolphin Surf is a front-wheel-drive, single-speed automatic with no engine, so your decision is really about battery size and how much power you want.
Battery capacity runs from 32.0 to 46.0 kWh and power from 87 to 154 bhp, with a WLTP range of up to 200 miles. Efficiency is quoted at 3.9-4.0 miles per kWh, and rapid charging covers 30-80% in 22 minutes at 85 kW on the best version.
Home charging is the sensible way to live with it: 0-100% takes 3.5 hours at 11 kW on the best version. If you can't charge at home, read our guide on how to charge your electric car before committing to a three or four-year term.
| Electric | |
|---|---|
| Boot | 308 litres |
| Power | 87–154 bhp |
| Seats | 4 |
| Battery | 32–46 kWh |
| 0–62 mph | 9.1–12.1 s |
| Electric range (WLTP) | 137–200 miles |
Three trims, and each one changes something meaningful - battery, wheels or comfort kit - rather than just badges.
The entry version has an 87 bhp motor, 15-inch steel wheels, artificial leather upholstery and privacy glass. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a vegan leather multifunction steering wheel, a rear camera and adaptive cruise control are all included.
The Active is currently available from £276.29 a month.
Boost keeps the 87 bhp motor but adds 16-inch alloy wheels and electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors. You also get an electrically adjustable driver's seat and rain-sensing wipers, which makes finding a comfortable position much easier.
The Boost is currently available from £270.31 a month. Against the Active, that is currently £5.98/mo cheaper. Best value
Then there's the quick one. Comfort uses the 154 bhp motor, which road testers find noticeably more relaxed on faster roads, and adds LED headlights, heated front seats, a 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging over Boost, on the same 16-inch alloys.
The Comfort is currently available from £273.42 a month. Against the Boost, that is currently £3.11/mo more expensive.
Specifications from BYD's UK data and Euro NCAP; equipment and availability vary by version, so check the individual deal before ordering.
Page updated 19 September 2026 by First Vehicle Leasing. Prices and availability shown on this page are live and change as deals are refreshed.
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