All-new BYD Dolphin/Seagull/Surf - this is the problem with CHEAP cars

A review of the all-new 4-door BYD Dolphin Surf, also called a Seagull in some markets. What do you get with one of the least expensive EVs in the UK?


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A review of the all-new BYD Dolphin Surf 4 door hatchback.

It has various names in different markets, including:

Note that the BYD Atto 1 is an even smaller compact city car with an even smaller battery.

It’s the second cheapest electric car you can buy in the UK, with the Dacia Spring still holding the crown for the cheapest electric car on sale. The question is, with a starting price of just £18,650, should you choose the BYD over its nearest & dearest rivals? Let’s take a closer look.

In terms of the exterior design, it’s certainly a bit of an eye-catcher, especially in this luminous yellow paint! There’s quite a bit of black cladding to be found across the car to help break up the colours, although the front end still has an overall strange design. Along the side, you’ll find flush door handles to help with aerodynamics, while at the back, there’s a relatively large boot lid spoiler as well as a full-length light bar - not bad for a car at such a low price point!

On the inside, the BYD Dolphin Surf comes with a number of qualities you would expect from a car at such a low price point. Bar a couple of areas on the doors and the dash, there are scratchy plastics throughout. Thankfully, the steering wheel is of a good size and comes with several functionality buttons. There is also a digital dial and infotainment screens, but the dials are relatively small and include a very small speedometer, while the infotainment system can be a bit laggy. There are a couple of physical buttons, but there are more rocker-style buttons rather than clickable ones.

There are two battery options available for the Dolphin Surf - a 30kW with 137 miles of range, or a 43kW with up to 200 miles of range. There are three trim levels and two motor options available: the entry-level 88hp, or a 156hp one.

So does the Dolphin Surf sound appealing to you? Or would you rather splash out on something a bit pricier?

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