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BYD Dolphin Surf vs Nissan Micra comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 150 HP), boot space and price (19,700 £ vs 24,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BYD Dolphin Surf or Nissan Micra?

BYD Dolphin Surf vs Nissan Micra: Key differences

BYD Dolphin Surf

4.4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • visibly cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • moderately lighter
details

Nissan Micra

4.2 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly more efficient
  • markedly more electric range
  • somewhat quicker 0–100 km/h
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Dolphin Surf

BYD Dolphin Surf VS Nissan Micra: a practical, city‑first duel

BYD Dolphin Surf VS Nissan Micra is a matchup between two small electric hatchbacks that aim at urban buyers but take different tacks: the BYD Dolphin Surf sells you generous equipment and clever packaging at a keen price, while the Nissan Micra trades on a composed ride and a tidy, user‑friendly cabin. The Dolphin Surf feels like a value play that pushes safety and useful tech into a compact footprint, giving four adults surprising space for the length. The Micra leans toward comfortable refinement, with smoother damping and an infotainment setup that simplifies real‑world charging trips. That basic split—value and clever packaging versus firmer long‑distance composure—drives most of what follows in everyday use.

Micra

Character and driving feel

The BYD Dolphin Surf comes across as eager for city life: light steering, quiet acceleration at low speeds and an easy, confidence‑inspiring demeanor in traffic. The Nissan Micra, by contrast, behaves more grown‑up on the move, with a more refined ride and a calmer composure over uneven surfaces that makes longer stints less tiring. Where the Dolphin Surf rewards tight parking and short hops, the Micra rewards steady cruising and one‑pedal driving—Micra’s regenerative behaviour and controls feel more complete for stop‑and‑go. On faster roads the Dolphin Surf’s composure softens and the Micra’s steadier damping gives it the upper hand in perceived stability.

Dolphin Surf

Comfort and long‑distance usability

Inside, the Dolphin Surf surprises with roomy seats and a bright cabin that masks its small footprint, but it’s tuned for short to medium trips rather than marathon motorway hauls. The Micra feels a step up when the miles add up: its suspension soaks bumps more effectively and the overall damping makes motorway cruising less fatiguing. Rear passengers experience different compromises—the Dolphin Surf offers clever space packaging for four people, while the Micra’s rear is tighter and better suited to two adults or children on longer journeys. Neither is a luxury limo, but the Micra’s quieter long‑distance manners and one‑pedal ease make it the better choice for regular A‑road or dual‑carriageway use.

Practicality, family use and cabin ergonomics

The Dolphin Surf’s layout is strikingly family‑friendly for a sub‑four‑metre car: it prioritises usable seating for four and makes installing child seats straightforward, which will matter to young families. The Micra brings a larger, more practical boot and a conventional five‑seat layout that is useful if you occasionally need that fifth place, but the rear legroom and middle seat are noticeably tighter. Both cars suffer from a high load lip and the usual small‑car compromises when you fold seats, so expect awkward shapes and some fiddling with larger items. Overall, choose the Dolphin Surf if you need predictable child‑seat ergonomics and kit for less money; pick the Micra if you prioritise a roomier boot and occasional five‑seat flexibility.

City friendliness and daily usability

In town the Dolphin Surf shines thanks to its compactness, light controls and a package that often includes practical extras like V2L and strong AC charging as standard, which makes life easier for homeowners with simple charging needs. The Micra is no slouch in the city either: its e‑pedal style regen and Google‑integrated navigation with charging route planning are genuinely helpful for daily commuting and reduce range‑anxiety in practice. Dolphin Surf owners will appreciate lower purchase cost and a lot of kit for the money, while Micra drivers will enjoy the more polished infotainment and the seamless stop‑and‑go experience. The trade‑off is simple—BYD gives you more kit and space for the price; Nissan gives you a smoother, smarter urban driving loop.

Who should choose which car: buyer fit and next steps

If your life is mostly city and short trips, you value equipment and safety, and you want the most car for your money, the BYD Dolphin Surf is the pragmatic pick that makes everyday life easier without fuss. If you do longer commutes, care about ride quality, one‑pedal convenience and a calmer cabin on faster roads, the Nissan Micra is better matched to those priorities despite a slightly tighter rear. Both cars have clear strengths and compromises, so your decision really hinges on whether you prioritise price‑packed practicality (Dolphin Surf) or composed comfort and integrated navigation/charging support (Micra). The technical comparison that follows will unpack range, charging behaviour and performance so you can translate these real‑world tendencies into the figures that matter for your use case.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Dolphin Surf

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

BYD Dolphin Surf is visibly cheaper – starting at 19,700 £ , while the Nissan Micra costs 24,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,286 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Nissan Micra is very slightly more efficient: consuming 14.2 kWh/100km compared to 15.5 kWh/100km for the BYD Dolphin Surf. That’s a difference of about 1.3 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Nissan Micra offers markedly more range – reaching up to 416 km, about 94 km more than the BYD Dolphin Surf.

Micra

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers very slightly more power – delivering 156 HP compared to 150 HP. That’s roughly 6 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Nissan Micra is somewhat quicker – completing the sprint in 8 s, while the BYD Dolphin Surf takes 9.1 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Nissan Micra delivers a bit more torque with 245 Nm compared to 220 Nm. That’s about 25 Nm more.

Dolphin Surf

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Nissan Micra offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, BYD Dolphin Surf is moderately lighter – 1,294 kg compared to 1,452 kg. The difference is around 158 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Nissan Micra carries moderately more – 408 kg compared to 344 kg. That’s a difference of about 64 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Nissan Micra is clearly ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £24,000
Micra

Nissan Micra

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 122 - 150 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 14.2 - 14.7 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 317 - 416 km
BYD Dolphin Surf
Nissan Micra

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BYD Dolphin Surf

The BYD Dolphin Surf is an intriguing model that combines sleek design with modern electric technology, making it an appealing choice for urban commuters seeking sustainability and style. Its dynamic exterior design is complemented by an interior that prioritizes comfort and functionality, reflecting the brand's commitment to innovation. The model also offers impressive handling and a smooth driving experience, embodying the shift towards eco-friendly transportation.

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Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra is a compact hatchback renowned for its agile handling and city-friendly dimensions. With a design that blends sleek curves with a practical layout, it appeals to urban drivers who value style and efficiency. Inside, the car offers a surprising amount of room and useful tech features, making it both a convenient and comfortable ride for daily commutes.

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BYD Dolphin Surf
Nissan Micra

Costs and Consumption

Price
19,700 - 26,600 £
Price
24,000 - 29,900 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 - 16 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.2 - 14.7 kWh/100km
Electric Range
220 - 322 km
Electric Range
317 - 416 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,294 - 1,390 kg
Curb weight
1,452 - 1,527 kg
Trunk capacity
308 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,720 mm
Width
1,774 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
344 kg
Payload
403 - 408 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
88 - 156 HP
Power HP
122 - 150 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 12.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
175 - 220 Nm
Torque
225 - 245 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
65 - 115 kW
Power kW
90 - 110 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
BYD
Brand
Nissan
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.