A brand new Chinese electric car that is a whopping £20,000 cheaper than a Tesla has been branded the UK’s “best value car" in 2026, according to judges. BYD’s new Dolphin Surf picked up the ‘Best Small Electric Car for Value’ prize at the UK’s prestigious What Car? Awards in a major boost for the Chinese manufacturer.
BYD enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, with the new brand overtaking Tesla as the most popular EV brand in the UK. The new EV player broke into the market with their impressive Seal saloon and Atto SUV range, with the Dolphin Surf being the latest challenger to Western manufacturers.
The B-segment compact BYD Dolphin Surf launched in the UK in June 2025 and is a direct competitor to the Renault 5 E-Tech and Citroën ë-C3.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car?, said: “While the DOLPHIN SURF isn’t the cheapest electric car you can buy, it’s far more capable than the few models that you can have for less, so well worth the extra. It offers stronger performance, faster charging and a longer range.
“What’s more, interior quality is a step above what you get in rivals, and it comes with a more user-friendly infotainment system.”
The Dolphin Surf is the smallest electric vehicle in BYD’s lineup, but this shouldn't fool potential owners, with the model still packing a punch. The base Active trim is fitted with a 30kWh battery capable of between 137 and 200 miles on a single charge.
Pressing their foot to the floor, owners can expect to hit top speeds of around 93mph, hitting 0-62mph in just 11.1 seconds. Inside, the model is equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen that rotates and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation.
BYD’s latest car is also fully covered by a six-year warranty, while its Blade Battery is covered for up to eight years or 155,350 miles.
All of this for just £18,675, almost £20,000 more affordable than the cheapest Tesla Model 3 and almost £5,000 less than its direct competitor, the Renault 5 ETech.
Bono Ge, country manager for BYD UK, said: “We're thrilled to have received this award from the team at What Car?. BYD strongly believes that the Dolphin Surf offers buyers class-leading technology at an affordable price, so we take huge pride in the fact that this has been recognised by What Car?’s highly experienced and influential reviewers.”
