VS
At a Glance
Power
55 kW
85 kW
Torque
135 Nm
200 Nm
Fuel
—
5.4 l/100km
0-100 km/h
15.5 s
9.7 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 R445 400 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
200 Nm
0-100 kph
15.5 s
9.7 s
Top Speed
130 Km/h
200 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
—
7
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
38.9 kWh l
40 l
CO2 Emissions
—
123 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3925 mm
4074 mm
Width
1720-1970 mm
1751-1964 mm
Height
1590 mm
1451 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2552 mm
Ground Clearance
120 mm
106 mm
Kerb Weight
1280 Kg
1100 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
308-1037 l
351 l
Towing & Payload
Load Capacity
—
580 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ 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
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
Optional
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
Optional
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
Tie
1 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Dolphin Surf
Practicality
Tied
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 (9.7 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 200 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 R445 400. The Dolphin Surf is cheaper by R49 500 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.