THE £18K EV: GENIUS OR GARBAGE?

EV Channels Review

The BYD Dolphin Surf positions itself as a compelling budget-friendly EV, starting under £20,000, aiming to fill the void left by discontinued compact cars. The reviewer highlights its surprisingly generous standard equipment and safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and a 7-inch digital cluster, for its price point. Positives include a quiet interior for its class, decent boot space (308L expandable to 1000L), and a responsive low-speed acceleration ideal for city driving. However, compromises are evident: the interior features a lot of hard, scratchy plastics, the boot has a high load lip, it's strictly a four-seater, and the steering wheel lacks reach adjustment, potentially impacting comfort for taller drivers on longer journeys. Performance is strong off the line but noticeably slower at higher speeds (50-70 mph). Real-world range is estimated at 160-170 miles, dropping further in winter, making the larger battery 'Boost' or 'Comfort' trims more appealing than the base model's 100-mile range. Despite its drawbacks, the Dolphin Surf is recommended as a second EV for households or an affordable first electric car, particularly for city use, with its low price being its most significant selling point.