BYD Dolphin Surf Active
- Power Type: Battery electric (BEV)
- Body Type: hatchback
- PowerTrain: FWD
- Power Output: 88 hp
PROS
- Very affordable, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and 6 airbags.
- Boost gives the best range (322 km) and good equipment for the money.
- Comfort is quick for its class (9.1 s) and V2L is standard across the range.
CONS
- Charging and range are only average (65–85 kW DC), and Active’s 220 km is modest.
- Comfort costs more than Boost but has slightly less range, and Boost is the slowest trim to 100 km/h.
The BYD Dolphin Surf Active is the entry trim of BYD’s smallest car sold in Europe: a budget electric hatchback, five doors, four seats, about 3,990 mm long, 1,720 mm wide and 1,590 mm tall. A 65 kW front motor makes 175 Nm and drives the front wheels. Under the skin it is the Chinese Seagull, with changed bumpers, suspension and interior for Europe.
The Active gets a 30.0 kWh net LFP Blade battery (some retailers list 32 kWh as total capacity). WLTP combined range is 220 km, or 137 miles. The city figure of 327 km (203 miles) looks better, but the combined number is the one to compare. AC charging tops out at 11 kW, roughly 210 minutes from empty to full. DC peaks at 65 kW, and 10-80% takes about 30 minutes. The 85 kW DC rate belongs to the bigger-battery Boost and Comfort, not the Active. All of this is manufacturer data repeated by retailers and the press. None of the sources reviewed had an independent test of the Active’s charging curve, so treat the times as claimed.
In the UK the Active costs £18,675. The Boost is £21,975 and the Comfort £23,975, and launch price for the Active was £18,650. German list price is €22,990, with some dealers selling at €19,990. As of April 2026 no Chinese-built car qualified for the UK zero-emissions vehicle grant, so none of these prices include one. At 137 miles of rated range, the Active fits city commuters and low-mileage households that can charge at home, and it is a poor choice for regular motorway driving. Within BYD’s European line-up it sits below the Surf Boost and Comfort and the larger Dolphin hatchback.
Against other brands it competes with the Hyundai Inster and Citroën e-C3, with the Renault 5 a little above. The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 undercut it on price but are smaller; the T03 has been discounted to £14,500. The closest match is the e-C3. Carwow found the base e-C3 and the Inster priced about the same as the Dolphin Surf. The e-C3 Max with a 44 kWh battery is rated at 199 miles WLTP, against the Active’s 137, though the Max is a higher trim. The e-C3 also has more rear space and boot room.
BYD Dolphin Surf Active Images
Full Electric Vehicle Specifications
MODEL
| Full Name | BYD Dolphin Surf Active |
| Segment | A-segment city car |
| Class A collection of items, goods, or services grouped together by common attributes | Electric hatchback |
| Warranty | Not confirmed |
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
| Base Price | UK £18,675 / Ireland €17,985 |
| Availability Status | On sale (since mid-2025) |
| Markets Available | 15 European countries incl. UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland. South Africa gets a different line-up |
POWER
| Fuel Type A fuel type is the specific source of energy or chemical substance used to power a vehicle, machinery, or heating system | Electric (BEV) |
| Engine An engine is a machine that converts energy (such as heat, fuel, or steam) into mechanical force, power, and motion | None |
| Generator generator is a device, machine, or person that produces or creates something, most commonly a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. | None |
| Battery Capacity | 30 kWh LFP Blade |
| Range | 220 km (137 mi) |
| DC Charging | 65 kW |
| Charging Time | 10–80% in ~30 min (DC) |
| AC Charging | 11 kW, 0–100% in ~3.5 h |
| Energy Consumption | ~15.5 kWh/100 km |
| Regen Braking | Yes |
PERFORMANCE
| Power Output | 65 kW (88 hp) |
| 0–100 km/h The acceleration numbers are an easy way to compare car performance. We list either time from 0 to 100 km/h or time from 0 to 60mph, depending on which number(s) the manufacturers provide. The lower the acceleration time, the higher performance the car is. | ~11.1 s |
| Motor Configuration | Single front motor, FWD |
| Torque | 175 Nm |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h |
BODY & DIMENSIONS
| Dimensions | 3,990 × 1,720 × 1,590 mm |
| Platform | BYD e-Platform 3.0 |
| Suspensions | Not confirmed |
| Boot Capacity | 308 L (1,037 L seats folded) |
| Kerb Weight | ~1,294 kg |
| Ground Clearance | Not stated |
| Bonnet Capacity | None |
| Sunroof | Not listed |
| Wheels | 15" steel |
| Towing | Not confirmed |
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
| Airbags | 6 |
| ADAS Features | Adaptive cruise, auto emergency braking, lane-departure assist, auto high beam, driver monitoring, rear sensors + camera |
| Autonomous Driving Level | Driver-assist only (about Level 2 |
| Crash Test Ratings | Euro NCAP 5 stars (2025) |
| Over-the-Air Updates | Not confirmed |
COMFORT & SEATING
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Seat Material | Vegan leather |
DISPLAYS & CONNECTIVITY
| Centre Screen | 10.1" rotating touchscreen |
| Mirror Link | Apple CarPlay / Android Auto |
| Driver's Display | Digital cluster |
| Head-Up Display | Not listed |
TECHNOLOGY
| Vehicle-to-Load | Yes, up to 3.3 kW |
| Vehicle-to-Grid | No |
ADDITIONAL SPECS
| Headlight Type | Not LED |
| Navigation System | use phone apps |
| Remote Parking | Not listed |
Note
| Additional Notes | Smallest battery, cheapest |
User Reviews
Disclaimer Note
Specifications sourced from manufacturer data and may reflect WLTP, CLTC, or EPA test conditions. Import prices in your local are estimates based on grey-market landing costs and exclude duties, clearing fees, and local taxes. Figures are subject to change without notice. Always verify with your local importer before purchase. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
