VS
At a Glance
Power
55 kW
85 kW
Torque
135 Nm
178 Nm
Fuel
—
6.3 l/100km
0-100 km/h
15.5 s
11.5 s
Engine
electric cc
999 cc
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin Surf and the Volkswagen Polo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin Surf delivers 55 kW while the Volkswagen Polo produces 85 kW. Pricing starts at R395 900 for the Dolphin Surf and R483 700 for the Polo. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
55 kW
85 kW
Torque
135 Nm
178 Nm
0-100 kph
15.5 s
11.5 s
Top Speed
130 Km/h
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
999 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
3
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
6.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
38.9 kWh l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
—
144 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3925 mm
4561 mm
Width
1720-1970 mm
1752 mm
Height
1590 mm
1507 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2651 mm
Ground Clearance
120 mm
179 mm
Kerb Weight
1280 Kg
1267 Kg
Doors
5
4
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
308-1037 l
521 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
3 vehicle / 8 battery
3
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
120000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
3
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BYD Dolphin Surf
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Dolphin Surf
Practicality
Dolphin Surf
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin Surf
Lower starting price (R395 900)
Less power than rival (55 kW vs 85 kW)
Volkswagen Polo
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (11.5 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Dolphin Surf or Polo?
The Dolphin Surf produces 55 kW and 135 Nm of torque while the Polo delivers 85 kW and 178 Nm of torque. The Polo is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin Surf and Polo?
The Dolphin Surf starts from R395 900 and the Polo from R483 700. The Dolphin Surf is cheaper by R87 800 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Dolphin Surf or the Polo?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.