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BYD Dolphin Surf vs MINI Aceman
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
Selected trimEChange trim191 mi · 38.5 kWh · £28,310
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the MINI Aceman 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 MINI Aceman if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p 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
MINI
5.7
Motorway RangeMINI
BYD
1.8
MINI
3.9
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
MINI
4.7
ChargingBYD
BYD
3.8
MINI
2.9
Cost Per MileMINI
BYD
2.8
MINI
9.3
City Driving
BYD
8.3
MINI
8.1
Too close to call
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 | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 (better) | £28,310 |
| Official range | 137 miles | 191 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L (better) | 300 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
MINI Aceman
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm-89mm
MINI Aceman4,079mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm-34mm
MINI Aceman1,754mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
MINI Aceman1,514mm-76mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 4,079 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm (better) | 1,754 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,514 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 680 mm spare (better) | 646 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 822 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L (better) | 300 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1037 L (better) | 1005 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 750 kg (better) |
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.
MINI Aceman
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  MINI Aceman E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 4.08m+89mm |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.75m+34mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.98m |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.51m-76mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.61m+106mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L (better) | 300L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L (better) | 1005L |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 822mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg (better) | 1,720kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 38.5kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi | 191 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW | 75kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 (better) | £28,310 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles | 191 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 159 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW | 75 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh | 38.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 65 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 175 Nm | 290 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin Surf
Active
MINI Aceman
E
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 - MINI Aceman E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users77%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Aceman
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Aceman worth the extra £9,660 over the BYD Dolphin Surf?
The MINI Aceman costs £9,660 more than the BYD Dolphin Surf. For that premium it adds 53 miles more WLTP range, 70 kW more power and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). The BYD Dolphin Surf is not just cheaper - it also offers a 1.6s quicker 0-62mph time. 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 MINI Aceman?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is £9,660 cheaper to buy. The MINI Aceman is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 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 £9,420 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 MINI Aceman like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 159 miles for the MINI Aceman - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Aceman goes roughly 72 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the MINI Aceman?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 34 mm narrower than the MINI Aceman. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 680 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin Surf and about 646 mm of total clearance for the MINI Aceman. The BYD Dolphin Surf also turns in a 0.4 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 MINI Aceman?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 84% for the MINI Aceman. That gives the BYD Dolphin Surf a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Dolphin Surf's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the MINI Aceman's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use.
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 MINI Aceman 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 MINI Aceman rank among EVs under £30,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and MINI Aceman rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and MINI Aceman rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and MINI Aceman rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and MINI Aceman rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and MINI Aceman 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 .