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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Citroën ë-C3
Selected trimActiveChange trim137 mi · 30 kWh · £18,650
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin Surf leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Citroën ë-C3 leads on 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
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Citroën ë-C3 if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
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
Citroën
4.8
FamilyBYD
BYD
6.6
Citroën
2.7
ChargingBYD
BYD
3.8
Citroën
1.3
Cost Per MileCitroën
BYD
2.8
Citroën
3.4
City Driving
BYD
8.3
Citroën
8
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 | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £18,650 (better) | £19,995 |
| Official range | 137 miles (better) | 134 miles |
| Boot space | 308 L | 310 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 36 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin Surf
Citroën ë-C3
Length
BYD Dolphin Surf3,990mm-25mm
Citroën ë-C34,015mm
Width
BYD Dolphin Surf1,720mm-35mm
Citroën ë-C31,755mm
Height
BYD Dolphin Surf1,590mm
Citroën ë-C31,577mm-13mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm | 4,015 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,720 mm (better) | 1,755 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,577 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) | 645 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L | 310 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.
Citroën ë-C3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Surf Active |  Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.99m | 4.01m+25mm |
| Width | 1.72m | 1.75m+35mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.58m-13mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.54m+40mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 310L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1037L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,294kg (better) | 1,413kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 30kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 137 mi (better) | 134 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 65kW (better) | 30kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £18,650 (better) | £19,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £18,650 (not eligible) | £18,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
* Citroën ë-C3: Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 137 miles (better) | 134 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 87 miles | 94 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 36 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 65 kW (better) | 30 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 170 Wh/km | 165 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 30 kWh (better) | 29.8 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 | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
| Power | 65 kW | 83 kW (better) |
| Torque | 175 Nm (better) | 120 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin Surf
Active
Citroën ë-C3
Urban Range
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 - Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD Dolphin SurfActive | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin Surf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Citroën ë-C3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Citroën ë-C3 worth the extra £1,345 over the BYD Dolphin Surf?
The Citroën ë-C3 costs £1,345 more than the BYD Dolphin Surf. For that premium it adds 1 more seat (5 versus 4). The BYD Dolphin Surf is not just cheaper - it also offers 35 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin Surf comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Citroën ë-C3?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is £1,345 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Dolphin Surf comes out roughly £1,345 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 87 miles for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 94 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Citroën ë-C3?
The BYD Dolphin Surf is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the Citroën ë-C3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 680 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin Surf and about 645 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin Surf or the Citroën ë-C3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin Surf and 90% for the Citroën ë-C3. 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 Citroën ë-C3 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 Citroën ë-C3 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën ë-C3 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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 .