If you’ve been tracking the electric car race in Europe, you know it’s been a battlefield of compact city vehicles. Now, Chinese giant BYD is diving headfirst into this segment with the Dolphin Surf. Imagine a cute, under-4-meter hatchback built to be zippy around narrow Parisian streets or winding Provencal lanes—all at a price that’s hard to beat under €20,000.
After launching the Atto 2 earlier this year, BYD is clearly raising its game by targeting the urban commuter who wants style, range, and tech without breaking the bank. This Dolphin Surf is essentially a euro-tuned version of the Seagull model that’s been making waves in China for two years. It promises to shake up the Renault 5 E-Tech, Dacia Spring, and Citroën ë-C3 lineup with some serious specs and features.
Style Refreshed
Let’s be real: the Dolphin Surf looks a lot like its Chinese cousin, the Seagull. However, BYD has given it a mild makeover to spice things up for European tastes. You’ll notice sharper bumpers up front and a revamped rear end that stretch the length by about 21 centimeters, pushing the total to 3.99 meters—just under that critical 4-meter mark.
The slim LED headlights lend a bit of attitude, while the rear sports horizontal taillights that visually widen the hatchback’s stance. Despite its modest size—1.59 meters tall and 1.72 meters wide—the Dolphin Surf feels surprisingly sturdy. It rolls on 15- or 16-inch wheels, which look just right without going overboard, and the charging port is cleverly tucked into the left front fender, meaning you’ll have easy curbside access.
Tech & Comfort
Step inside, and it’s mostly business as usual. The Dolphin Surf seats four comfortably, and the trunk offers 308 liters of space, which is respectable for a city dweller. The dashboard design keeps that signature wave aesthetic, complete with a row of tactile buttons and a rotary gear selector—yes, BYD stuck with the charming dial that’s become a talking point.
Tech lovers will appreciate the 10.1-inch central touchscreen that swivels a bit for the driver’s convenience. It’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you can stream your favorite playlist on the go. Behind the wheel, you get a digital instrument cluster, and on the center console, there’s an induction charging pad for your phone. In short, BYD hasn’t skimped on the modern goodies.
Powertrains & Pricing
Underneath, the Dolphin Surf rides on BYD’s well-known e-Platform 3.0, paired with their in-house Blade LFP battery. You can choose between a 30 kWh pack, which delivers around 220 km of range under WLTP standards, or a beefier 43.2 kWh battery for up to 322 km on a single charge. Both batteries support fast charging, leaping from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
When it comes to power output, there are two flavors: an 88 hp (65 kW) motor on the base trim and a punchier 156 hp (115 kW) option on the higher levels. And don’t forget, every Dolphin Surf comes standard with adaptive cruise control, rearview camera, climate control, faux-leather seats, and a V2L port that lets you power small appliances directly from the car’s battery—pretty neat if you’re camping or need some extra juice during a blackout.
Higher trims unlock even more goodies, like heated and power-adjustable seats, a 360-degree camera system, larger wheels, and the induction phone charger we mentioned earlier. But here’s the kicker: BYD is kicking things off in France at a jaw-dropping starting price of €19,990 before any government incentives. Sure, it won’t qualify for the local eco-bonus, but even without a subsidy, that figure is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
On paper, the Dolphin Surf goes toe-to-toe with rivals like the Renault 5 E-Tech—which boasts five seats and a strong fan following—and Citroën ë-C3 or Fiat Panda, each with slightly roomier interiors. Below it, budget options like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 undercut the price tag, but BYD’s newcomer may claim the edge in versatility and equipment.
Orders are already open, and deliveries are slated to begin this summer. If you’re keen to get behind the wheel of a sub-€20K EV that doesn’t feel cheap, the Dolphin Surf could be a game-changer. Stay tuned for our upcoming road test where we’ll dive deeper into its real-world performance, comfort, and whether it truly surfs the wave of affordable electric mobility.
