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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Renault Zoe
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Renault Zoe 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
Choose the Renault Zoe if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin Surf edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.3
Renault
0
Motorway RangeRenault
BYD
1.8
Renault
3.5
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
Renault
2.8
Charging
BYD
3.8
Renault
3.6
Too close to call
Cost Per MileRenault
BYD
2.8
Renault
8.3
City Driving
BYD
8.3
Renault
8.4
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 | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 | Not available |
| Official range | 137 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L | 338 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
Renault Zoe
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm-94mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm-10mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-28mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm (better) | 1,730 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 680 mm spare (better) | 670 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L | 338 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.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 4.08m+94mm |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.73m+10mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.56m-28mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.59m+88mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 338L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 52kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi | 239 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW (better) | 22kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2020–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh | 49.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec | Not available |
| Power | 65 kW | 80 kW (better) |
| Torque | 175 Nm | 245 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
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
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 - Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant43%
Child Occupant52%
Vulnerable Road Users41%
Safety Assist14%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin Surf
No active listings.
Renault Zoe
- £11,3992022Browns of RichmondView
- £11,7952022Drive GreenView
- £11,3952022Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 199 miles for the Renault Zoe - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 112 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Renault Zoe?
The two are within 10 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 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 86% for the Renault Zoe. 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 Renault Zoe'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 Renault Zoe 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 Zoe rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault Zoe 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.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .