Review: BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD’s Dolphin Surf hatchback could be seen as the ultimate manifestation of China’s threat to European carmakers’ bid to make a success of the shift to electric.

Priced from £18,650 it goes up against the likes of the Dacia Spring and the Leapmotor T03, itself the result of a joint venture between Europe’s Stellantis and a Chinese carmaker.

But the Dolphin Surf is larger, serving up rear seat accommodation that would shame the larger Renault 5, along with a rather impressive 308-litre boot.

It also features BYD’s much-lauded Blade Battery technology, which claims a 137-mile range in the 30kWh entry-level Dolphin Surf Active and 200 miles in the mid-range 43.2kWh Boost.

Our test placed us behind the wheel of the top spec Comfort trim, which combines the larger of these batteries with a power boost from 87bhp to 154bhp.

With its extra urge, the Surf gains a puppy-like eagerness, delivering darty progress around town, and will accelerate to 62mph in a respectable 9.1 seconds.

Even so, the Dolphin Comfort appeared to remain within reach of its 197-mile claimed range, a major bonus in an EV sector where reliable range claims are in short supply.

Our test car was some way off that headline-grabbing low price, at £23,885.

Among its perks were a 360-degree reversing camera, LED headlights, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging.

However, plenty of the Surf’s kit is standard, including BYD’s clever 10.1-inch infotainment display, which will rotate 90 degrees to give a useful portrait view of the sat nav.

Unfortunately, the system’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech only works when the screen is in its landscape position.

Other standard features include rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, LED daytime-running lights, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control.

Those nervous about the perceived quality in a low-cost Chinese EV will be pleasantly surprised.

Alright, the Surf does feature plenty of hard, scratchy plastics, and is some way off the classy, but more expensive Renault 5.

However, its sweeping dash, colour instrument binnacle and flat-bottomed steering wheel elevate it above the compact car sector’s entry level offerings of old.

Space is a bonus too.

My six-foot frame was comfortably accommodated, the Surf’s quite narrow but tall frame provided decent headroom.

Any grumbles are, perhaps, centred on BYD’s infotainment system. Its icons are small and can be tricky to locate.

Adjusting the regenerative braking system’s decelerating effect, between ‘standard’ and ‘high’, was also a faff.

But these are minor gripes in a car which will help to make affordable EV ownership accessible for many.

BYD’s battery knowhow ensures that the Dolphin Surf is a solid entry to the world of zero emissions motoring.

For many European carmakers, it is that Chinese threat realised.

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort

Price: £23,885

Engine: 43.2kWh battery

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 220Nm

Transmission: single-speed electric

Top Speed: 93mph

0-62mph: 9.1 seconds

Range: 197 miles

CO2 emissions: 0g/km