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Review of BYD Dolphin SURF — Next-Gen Urban Electric Car
BYD Dolphin SURF — A Compact EV for City Life
Hello, friends! I’m your professional YouTube car reviewer, and today I’m sharing my impressions of the BYD Dolphin SURF — a compact electric vehicle from China that became a gem for urban dwellers in 2025. This Chinese urban electric car by BYD is designed for those seeking an economical and convenient mode of transport for daily commutes. It fits perfectly into the affordable EV segment, competing with models like the Wuling Bingo, MG4, and Volkswagen ID.3.
I spent a week with the Dolphin SURF, testing it in dense city traffic, tight parking spaces, and even on short suburban routes. This BYD Dolphin SURF review will reveal how it handles daily tasks and whether it’s worth choosing over Wuling and MG competitors. Let’s dive into what makes this affordable electric car from China so intriguing!
The BYD Dolphin SURF emerged as part of BYD’s global expansion into the compact EV market. Its mission is to offer a budget-friendly yet tech-savvy car for young drivers, families, and those who value savings. Priced at around $18,000, it’s more affordable than many rivals while featuring a Blade Battery and modern driver aids. Let’s see if it lives up to expectations!
Exterior: Urban Style and Compact Design
The BYD Dolphin SURF caught my eye right away with its cute and modern design. Measuring 4290 mm long, 1770 mm wide, and 1570 mm high, it’s compact yet not cramped — perfect for city life. The front features smooth lines and LED headlights, giving it a stylish look, while the “smiling” grille (though there’s no grille on this EV) adds friendliness. The headlights with auto-on functionality lit up the road well at night — I tested them on the dark streets of a residential area.
The body lines are aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.29, helping to save battery charge. The hidden door handles pop out as you approach — it’s convenient and looks sleek, though they occasionally froze at -5°C. The 16-inch wheels with aerodynamic caps emphasize minimalism, and the color palette (white, blue, gray) suits urban style perfectly. The rear LED taillights with a connecting strip look modern, and a spoiler adds a dynamic touch.
I appreciated how easily the Dolphin SURF fits into tight parking spots — its turning radius is just 5.1 m. A user on mavidi.online noted: “For transfers on narrow European streets, nothing beats the Dolphin SURF: it turns practically on the spot.” I can confirm — parking in the city center was stress-free.
Interior and Comfort: Cozy and Functional Cabin
The interior of the BYD Dolphin SURF pleasantly surprised me with its design and ergonomics. There’s enough space for four adults — the 2700 mm wheelbase provides decent legroom. The eco-leather seats are comfortable with good lateral support, though the cushion felt a bit short for long trips. I drove for 2 hours without stopping, and my back felt fine, but by the third hour, I needed a stretch.
The materials — soft plastic and fabric inserts — look high-quality for this segment. The central 12.8-inch screen, which can rotate to be vertical or horizontal, is the heart of the multimedia system. It’s bright with a responsive interface, and I easily set up navigation and music. The steering wheel with control buttons is handy, and the dashboard — a small 5-inch screen — displays clear data. The single-zone climate control is effective; at +30°C, the cabin cooled down in 5 minutes.
Noise insulation is average: at 40 km/h in the city, it’s quiet, but on the highway at 100 km/h, tire noise is noticeable. The 345-liter trunk (expanding to 1310 liters with folded seats) held my groceries and backpack, but it might be small for larger families. The cabin has USB ports and cupholders, and the warm ambient lighting creates a cozy vibe at night.
Driving Experience: Agility and Maneuverability
The BYD Dolphin SURF is a joy to drive in the city. Its 204-hp electric motor accelerates to 100 km/h in 7 seconds — smoothly, without jerks. I tested it at traffic lights, and the start was always confident, with no wheelspin. In traffic jams, the “one-pedal” mode with regenerative braking lets you barely touch the brakes — a lifesaver during rush hour.
The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to navigate narrow streets. The suspension is on the stiff side: it handles small bumps well, but larger potholes send noticeable jolts. On the highway at 110 km/h, the car feels stable, but crosswinds slightly sway the body — it’s a lightweight hatchback at 1.6 tons, after all. The brakes are grippy with smooth deceleration, which is crucial for urban driving.
Extended Urban Driving Experience. I decided to test the Dolphin SURF on a 150-km city route through Moscow, with stops at parking lots and in traffic. The car effortlessly squeezed into tight courtyards where others got stuck, and its compact size allowed parking in tiny spots. I navigated a busy roundabout with heavy traffic — the maneuverability was top-notch, and the parking assist system suggested the best spot. However, on a wet road after rain, I noticed slight wheel slip on a quick start, though the stability control kicked in swiftly.
This reminded me that studded tires might be wise for winter. I also took it for a short suburban test — at 100 km/h, the steering remained light, but uneven surfaces transmitted vibrations to the wheel. For daily commutes, this isn’t an issue, but for highways, I’d prefer something with softer tuning. Overall, the Dolphin SURF is a hatchback built for the city, where its compactness and responsiveness shine.
Test with Passengers. To assess performance under load, I brought along three friends and 50 kg of luggage. Acceleration remained smooth, though the 0–100 km/h time increased to 7.2 seconds. The suspension handled highway bumps, but with a full load, jolts were more pronounced. In a parking lot with passengers, I noticed rear visibility through mirrors was slightly reduced due to the angle — the 360° cameras were a lifesaver here. In traffic, the regenerative mode excelled: I drove 20 km barely touching the brakes, saving about 3% charge. This makes the Dolphin SURF an excellent choice for those spending hours in city traffic, though its limits are evident on longer suburban trips.
Smart Technologies: A Helpful Companion on the Road
The BYD Dolphin SURF comes packed with modern tech that simplifies driving. The BYD OS system on the screen runs smoothly — a user on smartchina.io remarked: “The BYD Dolphin system surprised me with its responsiveness — menus and navigation are faster than some smartphones.” I tested it myself: no lags, even with navigation and music running simultaneously.
The “Hi, BYD” voice assistant understands Russian commands like “turn on the AC” or “call Mom.” The 360° cameras aid parking, and the auto-parking feature worked flawlessly — I parked in a tight spot in under a minute. Driver aids (lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control) function well, though the system occasionally loses lane markings on sharp turns. Using BYD OS, I connected to my home lighting — a user on maviart-adesign.com confirmed: “BYD syncs with Tuya seamlessly.”
In-Depth Tech Testing. I dove deeper into BYD OS, spending a full day experimenting with its features.
The system supports driver profiles — I set up mine with favorite radio stations and screen brightness, and switching profiles took a second. Navigation with traffic avoidance worked great: I dodged a jam on the Moscow Ring Road by following its suggestions. The voice assistant performed well in noisy conditions — with the window open, it still recognized “turn on seat heating,” though I had to repeat twice.
I also synced my phone via Bluetooth and linked my calendar — meeting reminders popped up on the screen, handy for work trips. However, the interface occasionally lagged when running multiple apps, like navigation and video recording from cameras — something to note for heavy use.
Real-Life Tech Scenario. To test the tech in action, I took the Dolphin SURF on a three-day trip from Moscow to Novgorod with friends. Auto-parking saved us in central Novgorod, where spaces were tight, and the 360° cameras provided clear visibility even at dusk. Adaptive cruise control on the highway worked steadily at 90 km/h, but during a sudden overtake by another car, it disengaged briefly, requiring manual input. The voice assistant handled commands like “find a café” and “play a podcast,” though its accuracy dropped to 70% in a noisy cabin.
Smart home control via BYD OS proved useful: I turned on my home lights 10 minutes before arriving, which everyone appreciated. However, syncing with Tuya required manual Wi-Fi setup, which took some time. Overall, the Dolphin SURF’s tech impresses but requires some getting used to and occasional refinement.
Battery and Charging: Efficiency and Range
The 60.4 kWh battery (a 45 kWh version is available) promises 427 km (CLTC), but in city conditions with AC and traffic, I managed 370 km. In winter at -5°C, the range dropped to 320 km. Fast charging at 100 kW (to 80% in 30 minutes) is convenient — I added 250 km in that time. At home with a 7 kW charger, a full charge takes 8 hours.
Regenerative braking adds about 5% charge over 15 km in traffic. Energy efficiency is 14 kWh/100 km, making the Dolphin SURF cost-effective for urban use.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | BYD Dolphin SURF | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 45 or 60.4 kWh | Blade Battery |
| Range | Up to 427 km (CLTC) | ~370 km real-world in city |
| Power | 204 hp | Electric motor |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | 7.0 s | Smooth start, no wheelspin |
| Charging | 80% in 30 minutes | 100 kW DC |
Comparison with Competitors
| Model | Range | Price | Distinction | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin | 427 km | $18,000 | Blade Battery, comfort | 7.0 s |
| Wuling Bingo | 333 km | $12,000 | Ultra-compact | 8.3 s |
| MG4 | 450 km | $22,000 | European platform | 6.9 s |
| VW ID.3 | 420 km | $29,000 | German assembly | 7.3 s |
Conclusion: Who Should Choose the BYD Dolphin SURF?
The BYD Dolphin SURF is a 2025 compact electric car ideal for urban dwellers, young drivers, and families. Strengths: maneuverability, savings, tech features. Weaknesses: stiff suspension, highway noise. I recommend it! Check out more reviews on Electric Vehicles and Urban Cars.
FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin SURF suitable for new drivers?
Yes, its easy handling and driver aids make it perfect for beginners.
How long does the battery last in cold weather?
At -5°C, around 320 km with heating on.
Does it have cruise control and auto-parking?
Yes, both are present and function well.
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