BYD Dolphin Surf Gets a Five-Seat Option, Bigger Screen and Steering-Column Gear Stalk for 2026

BYD has refreshed the Dolphin Surf for European markets in 2026. The update adds a five-seat option, a 12.8-inch touchscreen on the top Comfort trim, heated front seats on the mid-range Boost and a steering-column gear stalk. The car is the European version of China’s BYD Seagull. In the UK it costs £18,675 to £23,975 across the Active, Boost and Comfort trims, with up to 200 miles of range. BYD has not yet confirmed how the European changes will reach the UK line-up.

Key takeaways

• Dolphin Surf = BYD Seagull, renamed for Europe (also sold as Dolphin Mini elsewhere).
• 2026 changes: five-seat option, 12.8-inch screen on Comfort, heated seats on Boost, fabric upholstery on the two lower trims, new gear stalk.
• Three trims: Active (30 kWh, 137 miles), Boost (43.2 kWh, 200 miles), Comfort (43.2 kWh, 193 miles).
• Two motor outputs reported for Europe: 88 hp and 155 hp.
• Fast charging up to 85 kW, plus V2L.

What Changes in the 2026 BYD Dolphin Surf Update?

BYD Europe has announced these updates for European markets:

• Five-seat option: four- and five-seat versions will be sold side by side, so buyers can choose between extra space and extra practicality.
• 12.8-inch touchscreen: new infotainment screen for the top-spec Comfort model.
• Heated front seats on Boost: the feature moves down to the mid-range trim.
• Fabric upholstery: replaces vegan leather on the two lower trims.
• Gear stalk: the selector moves from the centre of the dashboard, below the screen, to a stalk on the steering column.

Battery sizes and range figures are unchanged. UK specification and pricing for these updates are yet to be announced, so the UK details below describe the car as currently listed.

Is the BYD Dolphin Surf the European Version of the BYD Seagull?

Yes. The BYD Seagull was renamed Dolphin Surf for the European market, and it is called Dolphin Mini elsewhere. It is a top-selling car in China, and is on sale, or soon will be, in several Latin American countries. In Europe it takes on rivals from Volkswagen, Dacia and others.

The European car is not a straight rebadge. BYD gave it more power: the base European variant makes 88 hp against 75 hp in China, and a 155 hp version is also offered.

Second-Generation BYD Seagull: Bigger, Rear-Drive and 800V

While BYD refreshes the Dolphin Surf, it has revealed a second-generation Seagull in China. It is a much bigger car:

• Size: 425 mm longer than the Seagull it replaces, about 200 mm longer than the current European Dolphin Surf, 100 mm wider and 20 mm shorter.
• Layout: the motor moves to the rear wheels, leaving room for a sizeable front boot.
• Battery: a new 800V LFP battery with BYD’s Flash charging technology, in 30 kWh and 39.2 kWh sizes. BYD says it can charge from 10% to 97% in nine minutes.
• Range: 320 km and 420 km on China’s optimistic CLTC test, so expect less under European WLTP rules.

Rumours point to a Chinese price below £12,000. A European launch has not been confirmed.

Who Makes the BYD Dolphin Surf: BYD and BYD Europe

BYD Europe B.V. presents the car in Europe. BYD calls itself the world’s largest new-energy vehicle brand and says it has been a pioneering name in the battery industry for more than 30 years.

BYD Dolphin Surf Variants Compared: Active vs Boost vs Comfort

BYD UK lists three versions. The highlights are the points BYD UK shows for each trim, not full equipment lists.

	Active	Boost	Comfort
UK price	£18,675	£21,975	£23,975
Blade Battery	30 kWh	43.2 kWh	43.2 kWh
Electric range	137 miles (220 km)	200 miles (322 km)	193 miles (310 km)
Listed highlights	Vegan leather seats, 10.1″ touchscreen, navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay	Rain-sensing wipers, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated exterior mirrors	Heated front seats, automatic LED headlights, 360° view camera, wireless smartphone charging

Prices are as listed by BYD UK at the time of writing and may change. The 2026 European changes (fabric seats, heated seats on Boost, 12.8-inch screen on Comfort) are not yet confirmed for the UK.

Which Dolphin Surf Variant Suits Which Driver?

• Active: BYD positions the 137-mile range for short commutes and urban driving.
• Boost: the larger 43.2 kWh battery and the longest listed range, 200 miles, aimed at inner-city driving.
• Comfort: 193 miles of range plus the most convenience features, including the 360° camera.

Dolphin Surf Motor Options: 88 hp or 155 hp

Early drive reports from Europe give 88 hp for the base motor and 155 hp for the stronger one, which reaches 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. With the 43.2 kWh battery, the weaker motor gives 200 miles and the stronger one 193 miles.

BYD does not state motor output per trim. Boost’s 200 miles and Comfort’s 193 miles match the two figures above, which suggests Boost uses the lower output and Comfort the higher. Confirm this with a dealer before relying on it.

How Much Does the BYD Dolphin Surf Cost?

UK prices run from £18,675 (Active) to £23,975 (Comfort). In Romania, with a scrappage incentive of up to €8,700, early reports put the price at €11,500. Without the incentive it is still a sub-€20,000 EV, one of only three in that bracket alongside the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03.

Blade Battery: What BYD Says About Safety and Packaging

BYD says the Blade Battery brings benefits in packaging and durability and has passed a series of extreme tests, making it one of the world’s safest batteries. The Dolphin Surf also inherits the safety attributes of e-Platform 3.0, which BYD says provides a body structure unique to electric cars.

World’s First Mass-Produced 8-in-1 Electric Powertrain

BYD calls the drivetrain the world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 electric powertrain. It combines all essential elements into one module, which BYD says maximises space use and improves efficiency, vital in a compact EV.

Dolphin Surf Charging Speed and V2L Explained

The maximum DC charging rate is 85 kW. BYD Europe quotes two figures that use different windows: 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, and 30% to 80% in 22 minutes. Vehicle to Load (V2L) turns the car into a power bank for items such as a coffee machine or lights.

Dolphin Surf Design and Dimensions

BYD describes a single-arch profile and a floating roof created by an ice-crystal-inspired dot-matrix C-pillar. It also lists full-width LED tail-lights, six-strip headlights and an integrated roof spoiler that helps efficiency and range. The current car measures 3,990 mm long, 1,720 mm wide and 1,590 mm high, with a 2,500 mm wheelbase.

Dolphin Surf Interior: Rotating Screen and Rear Legroom

The dashboard centres on a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and “Hi BYD” voice control. Testers praised the physical controls for key functions. The long wheelbase gives generous rear legroom: a six-foot tester still had three fingers of knee room.

Dolphin Surf Safety Features: Six Airbags and Driver Assistance

BYD Europe lists six airbags and a standard driver-assistance suite: intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assist and intelligent high-beam control. Early testers also reported a 360-degree camera system and a driver-monitoring camera. BYD UK lists the 360° camera under Comfort, so check the equipment on the exact trim before buying.

Connectivity, Boot Space and Storage

The Dolphin Surf has 4G connectivity, standard navigation and over-the-air updates. The boot holds 308 litres, expanding to 1,037 litres with the rear seats folded, and the cabin has more than 20 storage areas. Boot and space figures for the new five-seat version have not been published.

Dolphin Surf Availability: What Is Confirmed

The 2026 update is announced for European markets, with UK details still to come. There is no confirmation of availability or pricing for India, so check BYD India for the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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