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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Leapmotor T03
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
Selected trimStandard165 mi · 37.3 kWh · £15,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Leapmotor T03 leads on running costs and city driving.
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 Leapmotor T03 if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
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
Leapmotor
5
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
Leapmotor
2.9
ChargingBYD
BYD
3.8
Leapmotor
1.3
Cost Per MileLeapmotor
BYD
2.8
Leapmotor
3.7
City DrivingLeapmotor
BYD
8.3
Leapmotor
9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 | £15,995 (better) |
| Official range | 137 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 36 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
Leapmotor T03
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm
Leapmotor T033,620mm-370mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm
Leapmotor T031,652mm-68mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
Leapmotor T031,577mm-13mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 3,620 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm | 1,652 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,577 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m | 9.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 680 mm spare | 748 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 960 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1037 L (better) | 508 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
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.
Leapmotor T03
- At 3,620 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.7 m turning circle, tighter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,652 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  Leapmotor T03 Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 3.62m-370mm |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.65m-68mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.58m-13mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.40m-100mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L (better) | 508L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 960mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m | 9.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg | 1,175kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 37.3kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi | 165 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW (better) | 48kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 | £15,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
* Leapmotor T03: Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles | 165 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 112 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 36 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW (better) | 48 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | 163 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh | 37.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 65 kW | 70 kW (better) |
| Torque | 175 Nm (better) | 158 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin Surf
Active
Leapmotor T03
Base
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 - Leapmotor T03 Base
Leapmotor T03 Base
Not Euro NCAP tested. Quadricycle and L-category vehicles fall outside the Euro NCAP programme scope.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Leapmotor T03Base |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Leapmotor T03
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin Surf worth the extra £2,655 over the Leapmotor T03?
The BYD Dolphin Surf costs £2,655 more than the Leapmotor T03. For that premium it adds 98 litres more boot space and a 1.6s quicker 0-62mph time. The Leapmotor T03 is not just cheaper - it also offers 27 miles more WLTP range. 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 Leapmotor T03?
The Leapmotor T03 is £2,655 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Leapmotor T03 comes out roughly £2,695 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 Leapmotor T03 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 112 miles for the Leapmotor T03 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Leapmotor T03 goes roughly 25 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Leapmotor T03?
The Leapmotor T03 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 68 mm narrower than the BYD Dolphin Surf. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 748 mm of total clearance for the Leapmotor T03 and about 680 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin Surf. The Leapmotor T03 also turns in a 0.7 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 Leapmotor T03?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 90% for the Leapmotor T03. 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 Leapmotor T03 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 Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor T03 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor T03 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor T03 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 .