BYD Dolphin Surf vs Citroën ë-C3

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

BYD Dolphin Surf

DOLPHIN SURF 30 kWh Active

£18,650 · 118 mi

Wins 12 of 17

Citroën ë-C3

ë-C3 Urban Range 30 kWh

£18,495 · 109 mi

Wins 5 of 17

Our verdict

The BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 are both electric hatchbacks in the small car class. The BYD Dolphin Surf starts at £18,650 in the UK and the Citroën ë-C3 at £18,495, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The Dolphin Surf goes further, with about 118 miles of real-world range against 109 for the ë-C3. On top of that, it charges faster on a rapid charger (45 kW against 30 kW on average, 10–80%), uses less energy (3.9 mi/kWh against 3.7 mi/kWh), is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 11.1 s against 11.6 s and has the longer warranty (6 years against 3).

There's little between them on price and boot space.

Choose the BYD Dolphin Surf if you want the longest range and quicker charging stops.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

BYD Dolphin SurfCitroën ë-C3

Price

Price new: £18,650on sale now; £18,495 (best)on sale now
Used from (estimated): £10,6002025 car; £10,500 (best)2025 car
Price per mile of range: £158 (best); £170

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 118 mi (best)190 km, estimate; 109 mi175 km, estimate
Range today, used (estimated): about 116 mi (best)2025 car, est.; about 107 mi2025 car, est.
Efficiency: 3.9 mi/kWh (best)158 Wh/km, estimate; 3.7 mi/kWh170 Wh/km, estimate
Range with one 15-min stop: 124 mi (best)199 km; 97 mi156 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 45 kW (best)10–80% average; 30 kW10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 11 kW; 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Yes (best); No
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): No; No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): No; No

Battery

Usable battery: 30 kWh (best); 29.8 kWhestimate
Battery chemistry: LFP (lithium iron phosphate); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes (best); No

Body and performance

Body style: Hatchback; Hatchback
Size class: B · Small car; B · Small car
Seats: 4; 5 (best)
Drive: Front-wheel drive; Front-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 11.1 s (best)0–100 km/h; 11.6 s0–100 km/h
Weight: 1,369 kg; 1,413 kg

Size

Length: 3.99 m13 ft 1 in; 4.02 m13 ft 2 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.72 m5 ft 8 in; 1.76 m5 ft 9 in
Width with mirrors: 1.97 m6 ft 6 in; 1.81 m5 ft 11 in
Height: 1.59 m5 ft 3 in; 1.58 m5 ft 2 in
Wheelbase: 2.50 m8 ft 2 in; 2.54 m8 ft 4 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 308 litres; 310 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): Not approved; Not approved
Max payload: 344 kgpeople and luggage; 472 kg (best)people and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: 5 stars; –not tested yet

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 6 years (best)93,750 miles; 3 years60,000 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years (best)125,000 miles; 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity
Passes to next owner: Yes, with conditions; Not confirmed

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2025 on; 2025 on

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.