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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Renault Twingo
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
Selected trimE-Tech electric 80hp163 mi · 27.5 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Renault Twingo leads on motorway range, 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 Renault Twingo if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.4p 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
Renault
0
Motorway RangeRenault
BYD
1.8
Renault
3.8
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
Renault
2.2
ChargingBYD
BYD
3.8
Renault
2.6
Cost Per MileRenault
BYD
2.8
Renault
9.8
City DrivingRenault
BYD
8.3
Renault
9.2
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 | Renault TwingoE-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 | Not available |
| Official range | 137 miles | 163 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L (better) | 305 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
Renault Twingo
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm
Renault Twingo3,789mm-201mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm
Renault Twingo1,720mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
Renault Twingo1,491mm-99mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault TwingoE-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 3,789 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,953 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,491 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m | 10.3 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 680 mm spare | 680 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault TwingoE-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L (better) | 305 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1037 L (better) | 966 L |
| 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 32 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.
Renault Twingo
- One of 32 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.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  Renault Twingo E-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 3.79m-201mm |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.72m |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.95m |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.49m-99mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.49m-7mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L (better) | 305L* |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L (better) | 966L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m | 10.3m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg | 1,200kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh (better) | 27.5kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi | 163 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2027+ |
* Renault Twingo: Boot is 305 L with the sliding rear seats fully back, and up to 360 L with them slid forward.
* Renault Twingo: Renault targets a UK starting price below £20,000, with launch in 2027; UK prices and trims are not yet published.
* Renault Twingo: Manufacturer does not publish width without mirrors; figure verified from multiple independent sources.
* Renault Twingo: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-10.
* Renault Twingo: UK charging specification not yet confirmed. In Europe the car charges at 6.6 kW AC as standard, with 11 kW AC and up to 50 kW DC listed by the manufacturer.
* Renault Twingo: Up to 163 miles WLTP, pending final UK homologation.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault TwingoE-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles | 163 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 135 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 6.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh (better) | 27.5 kWh |
| 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 | Renault TwingoE-Tech electric 80hp |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
| Power | 65 kW (better) | 60 kW |
| Torque | 175 Nm | 175 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BYD Dolphin Surf
Active
Renault Twingo
E-Tech electric 80hp
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - Renault Twingo E-Tech electric 80hp
Renault Twingo E-Tech electric 80hp
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-10.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Twingo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 135 miles for the Renault Twingo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Twingo goes roughly 48 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Renault Twingo?
The two are within 0 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 680 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin Surf and about 680 mm of total clearance for the Renault Twingo.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Renault Twingo?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 90% for the Renault Twingo. 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 Renault Twingo 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 Renault Twingo rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Twingo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .