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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Fiat Grande Panda
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
Selected trimPopChange trim199 mi · 44 kWh · £20,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Fiat Grande Panda leads on motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin Surf if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Fiat Grande Panda if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin Surf leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.3
Fiat
4.9
Motorway RangeFiat
BYD
1.8
Fiat
4.1
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
Fiat
2.1
ChargingBYD
BYD
3.8
Fiat
3.2
Cost Per MileFiat
BYD
2.8
Fiat
7.8
City Driving
BYD
8.3
Fiat
8.1
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Fiat Grande Panda
Pop
- 62 miles more WLTP range
- 53 litres more boot space
- 35 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 (better) | £20,995 |
| Official range | 137 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L | 361 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 27 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec | 11 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
Fiat Grande Panda
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm
Fiat Grande Panda3,990mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm-41mm
Fiat Grande Panda1,761mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
Fiat Grande Panda1,579mm-11mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 3,990 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm (better) | 1,761 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,579 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 680 mm spare (better) | 639 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L | 361 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1037 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Dolphin Surf
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 1,720 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Fiat Grande Panda
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  Fiat Grande Panda Pop |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 3.99m |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.76m+41mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.58m-11mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.55m+49mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 361L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg (better) | 1,521kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 44kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi | 199 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 (better) | £20,995 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
* Fiat Grande Panda: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 166 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 27 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh | 44 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec | 11 sec (better) |
| Power | 65 kW | 84 kW (better) |
| Torque | 175 Nm (better) | 125 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin Surf
Active
Fiat Grande Panda
Pop
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Dolphin Surf
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BYD Dolphin Surf Active
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant82%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Fiat Grande Panda Pop
Fiat Grande Panda Pop
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Fiat Grande Panda
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat Grande Panda worth the extra £2,345 over the BYD Dolphin Surf?
The Fiat Grande Panda costs £2,345 more than the BYD Dolphin Surf. For that premium it adds 62 miles more WLTP range, 35 kW faster peak rapid charging and 53 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin Surf comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Fiat Grande Panda?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is £2,345 cheaper to buy. The Fiat Grande Panda is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the BYD Dolphin Surf, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Dolphin Surf comes out roughly £2,185 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 166 miles for the Fiat Grande Panda - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Fiat Grande Panda goes roughly 79 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 27-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Fiat Grande Panda?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 41 mm narrower than the Fiat Grande Panda. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 680 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin Surf and about 639 mm of total clearance for the Fiat Grande Panda. The BYD Dolphin Surf also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Fiat Grande Panda?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 90% for the Fiat Grande Panda. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BYD Dolphin Surf comparisons
More Fiat Grande Panda comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among EVs under £30,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .