A brand new electrical automobile constructed by a high Chinese language producer is the “greatest worth automobile” on UK roads.
BYD’s Dolphin Surf is the ‘greatest worth automobile’ within the UK (Picture: BYD)
A model new Chinese language electrical automobile that could be a whopping £20,000 cheaper than a Tesla has been branded the UK’s “greatest worth automobile” in 2026, based on judges. BYD’s new Dolphin Surf picked up the ‘Finest Small Electrical Automobile for Worth’ prize on the UK’s prestigious What Automobile? Awards in a significant increase for the Chinese language producer.
BYD loved a breakthrough 12 months in 2025, with the brand new model overtaking Tesla as the most well-liked EV model within the UK. The brand new EV participant broke into the market with their spectacular Seal saloon and Atto SUV vary, with the Dolphin Surf being the most recent challenger to Western producers.
A budget EV £20,000 lower than a Tesla has been praised by judges (Picture: Getty)
The B-segment compact BYD Dolphin Surf launched within the UK in June 2025 and is a direct competitor to the Renault 5 E-Tech and Citroën ë-C3.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Automobile?, mentioned: “Whereas the DOLPHIN SURF isn’t the most affordable electrical automobile you should buy, it’s much more succesful than the few fashions that you would be able to have for much less, so nicely price the additional. It gives stronger efficiency, sooner charging and an extended vary.
“What’s extra, inside high quality is a step above what you get in rivals, and it comes with a extra user-friendly infotainment system.”
The Dolphin Surf is the smallest electrical automobile in BYD’s lineup, however this should not idiot potential house owners, with the mannequin nonetheless packing a punch. The bottom Lively trim is fitted with a 30kWh battery able to between 137 and 200 miles on a single cost.
BYD’s newest automobile can also be totally lined by a six-year guarantee, whereas its Blade Battery is roofed for as much as eight years or 155,350 miles.
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All of this for simply £18,675, virtually £20,000 extra reasonably priced than the most affordable Tesla Mannequin 3 and virtually £5,000 lower than its direct competitor, the Renault 5 ETech.
Bono Ge, nation supervisor for BYD UK, mentioned: “We’re thrilled to have acquired this award from the workforce at What Automobile?. BYD strongly believes that the Dolphin Surf gives patrons class-leading expertise at an reasonably priced worth, so we take large delight in the truth that this has been recognised by What Automobile?’s extremely skilled and influential reviewers.”
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