BYD Dolphin Surf Hatchback

65kW Active 30kWh 5dr Auto [2025]

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BYD has been making waves since it arrived on our shores.

The Pun is very much intended as it's brought a range of ocean-themed names along with a fleet of seven cars to the UK so far – one of over a dozen Chinese manufacturers currently trying to crack markets far from its homeland.

While the thought of driving Chinese motors may not be something many of us have had to consider before, the preconception that they are unfit for purpose no longer holds true.

Yes, if you bought a Chinese car 20 years ago, it’s probably something you’d be remembering for all the wrong reasons.

But now times have changed.

Even better news: BYD is considered by many to be the most successful Chinese automaker to have come to the UK so far in terms of the quality of its cars.

Today, however, presents a significant challenge, as BYD has launched a new model aiming to be one of the most affordable electric vehicles available for lease.

Until fairly recently, the words 'cheap' and 'electric car' were a contradiction in terms – there was simply no way to make one cost-effectively enough to be able to lease it super-cheaply.

However, several have now managed to achieve the feat, including Dacia, Hyundai, and another Chinese newcomer called Leapmotor, with the Spring, Inster, and T03 models, respectively.

The BYD car in question is called the Dolphin Surf – although it shouldn't be confused with the similarly named BYD Dolphin, which is an entirely different model and a touch larger than the Dolphin Surf.

So, with this new vehicle, will BYD abandon some of the values it’s stuck by when trying to cut costs?

We have taken one out on the road to find out.