Just over two years ago we first heard the phrase “The biggest car brand you have never heard of”. That’s how Ciaran Allen, sales manager at Motor Distributors Ireland, signed off his presentation in June 2023 at the launch of the Atto 3, the first electric car introduced to Ireland by Chinese company BYD.
Since then, BYD (Build Your Dreams) has added a few more models with their Seal, Seal U, Sealion 7, Dolphin, and last week I drove the newly launched Dolphin Surf. BYD are doing very well in Ireland and their sales figures after two years here are now close to 4,500 units.
My Dolphin Surf came in a very attractive Lime Green colour, which certainly grabbed a lot of attention in the supermarket car park. In addition to the bright colour of the car, written across the doors was the message the ‘Dolphin Surf, winner of the World Urban Car of the Year 2025’.
It’s a very neat car and I suppose it could best be described as a city car where the max range in the top of the range Comfort version that I drove was 310km. It’s a very light car and also very frugal and I found that 310km range was a true figure.
With new technology coming our way all the time, we are told that ‘Big Brother’ is always watching us when driving. And yes, it’s a bit annoying to hear ‘Big Brother’ or in this case ‘Big Sister’ constantly remind me to ‘Keep Eyes on Road’. I don’t mind being warned to take a break if I am driving for a long period, but to get a message every few minutes if you look sideways, is annoying.
Of course, you can turn off all those ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems) warnings, but then when your re-start the car they will all come on again.
At first viewing you might think that the Surf is a two-door car as the handles are very discreet, but it’s definitely a four-door car.
Very bright on the outside, but the interior is a bit dark. The roofline is black and the only bright colours inside are touches of grey on the seats. The rotating 10.1-inch infotainment screen works well, but the signage on the tube-like controls underneath the screen for the air conditioning are not easy to read when driving. Overall, the interior has a minimalistic look to it; I liked the prominent wireless phone charger.
With small cars, I am often asked if the back seat can take two or three people. But in the Surf there is no doubt, two back seat passengers. Naturally, in such a small city car, very little space in the boot.
BYD say their smallest car should be well able to compete in the Irish marketplace with similar small cars from Dacia and Leap Motors, who are a newcomer to the Irish market.
If you or a family member is thinking of buying a small EV for urban driving, or indeed short rural journeys, then I think the BYD Dolphin Surf makes for an appealing prospect. After all, it has already been voted World Urban Car of the Year.
Prices start at €17,085 for the entry level Active version. The Boost version will cost you €22,230, while the top of the range Comfort version I drove will cost you €24,113.
