BYD Dolphin Surf. Yeah, I know. It sounds like the name of the electric toothbrush from TEDi. But before you roll your eyes and run back to your Volkswagens, give me a few more lines. Because this is probably the best urban electric car right now. And no, I'm not getting paid to say this.
BYD It's no longer "that Chinese company with the cars that nobody wants to drive." No, it's now "that company that's stealing Tesla's market share in Europe." And BYD Dolphin Surf? This is their urban ninja. A little bit Urus, a little bit Pokemon, a little bit “look, I have LED headlights and I'm not ashamed of it”.
At 3.99m long (exactly the same as the Renault Zoe), 1.59m high and 1.72m wide, this is a quasi-SUV for people who don't want an SUV but don't want to drive a cube either. One thing that makes things clear at first glance: it has character. A strange character, perhaps, but hey, it has character.
Three packages, one philosophy: "we give a lot for a little"
BYD didn't complicate things. Three packages:
- Active (€22,900): 88 horses, 30 kWh battery, modest but not miserable.
- Boost (€26,900): same engine as Active, larger battery (43.2 kWh).
- Comfort (€30,900): 156 horses, more battery, more toys, more sense.
And then BYD says: “You know what? If you order by the end of June, we'll give you the Comfort version for €26,900.” It's like going for a kebab and getting a burek, a Coca-Cola, and a smile from the lady behind the counter. Free.
They said “Dolphin”, we hear “rocket”
Acceleration? The Comfort version to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. That's almost Golf GTI territory for half the price of an Audi A1. The Boost, which bears the name “Boost”, is ironically slower than the weakest version – because it's heavier. Who in marketing named it that? Probably someone from the “internal saboteurs” segment.
Top speed? 160 km/h. More than enough to jeopardize your driving license in most of Europe. Or overtake an entire line of drivers on a regional road.
Real range: forget WLTP, listen to experience
BYD promises 507 km with Boost. Realistic? In the city 300–400 km. On the highway at 130 km/h: around 150 km. Which is… exactly what you need to drive from Kamnik to work in Ljubljana and twice to Eurospin.
Charging? 11 kW three-phase at home. DC fast up to 85 kW – that’s 10–80 % in 30 minutes. In other words: you go for a coffee, and when you come back, your car is ready for another round of city driving.
Interior: Good taste, even if you're having a bad day
The interior of this little wonder is… well, a surprise. Vegan leather, heated seats, ambient lighting, soft materials, a 360° camera, and a rotating infotainment screen that would make even a Volvo jealous.
Are the graphics a bit retro? Yes, a bit of Android 4.4 vibes. But it works. The navigation makes sense, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are here. The camera shows more than Netflix. And – the seats. Real armchairs. Once you sit in, you don't know why you'd want to go back to any Clio.
Driving: Yes, it drives like a car – and very well.
Steering wheel turn? Sharp and precise. Leaning in corners? Minimal. Acceleration? Enough to force an advantage with a smile. And yes, even if you are 185 cm tall and sitting behind you, you will not have your knees in your teeth. A city warrior that is not ashamed of its name on the highway. Even the assistants work without throwing you into the bushes. Sound insulation is also solid, except when the bora is blowing – but this is no Maybach. That is what most journalists who have had European contact with the little one in recent days report.
Conclusion: If you don't buy this car, then you really just want the logo
Look, you can whine that it's a BYD. That it's not "German", that it's not "verified". But then you go to the service station for your German, leave half your salary there and get a scooter as a replacement vehicle.
The Dolphin Surf offers it all. For a price that is a serious threat to all the old brands. You have a good engine, modern equipment, a more than solid interior and a price that is lower than many used Passats.
And if you're still in doubt – think about this: BYD Dolphin Surf has a 6-year warranty. It has a heart, it has a soul. And yes, it has a funny name. But that name will always make you smile. Just like driving this car.
BYD, you did your homework. And you copied from the best.
