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Toyota Aygo vs BYD Dolphin Surf comparison

Compare performance (116 HP vs 156 HP), boot space and price (18,800 £ vs 19,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Toyota Aygo or BYD Dolphin Surf?

Toyota Aygo vs BYD Dolphin Surf: Key differences

Toyota Aygo

5 (1 Reviews)
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  • only slightly cheaper
  • somewhat lighter
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BYD Dolphin Surf

  • clearly more power
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
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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

Aygo

Overview: Toyota Aygo VS BYD Dolphin Surf — two small cars, two different promises

Toyota Aygo and BYD Dolphin Surf make for an instructive contrast: the Toyota Aygo leans into hybrid efficiency and city agility while the BYD Dolphin Surf offers an electric, value‑driven package with surprising interior space. On a page titled Toyota Aygo VS BYD Dolphin Surf, the practical differences — packaging, everyday running costs, and how each car behaves in real traffic — matter more than headline figures. The Aygo feels like a purpose‑built urban tool: tiny footprint, light steering and an automatic drivetrain that smooths stop‑and‑go life. The Dolphin Surf, by contrast, trades the tiniest exterior dimensions for a roomier cabin, a hushed electric drivetrain and a lot of standard kit for the money. Both aim at city buyers, but they solve common problems in opposite ways, which changes who will be happier with which car.

Dolphin Surf

Character and driving feel

The Toyota Aygo feels lively and nimble around town, with a directness to the steering and a chassis tuned for haste through tight streets and parking spots. The BYD Dolphin Surf is quieter and more composed at low speeds, but it communicates less to the driver: the steering and brakes are tuned for ease rather than involvement. If you like a car that feels sprightly and makes urban manoeuvres almost playful, the Aygo gives that smaller‑car zing; if you prefer silent, effortless progress and a relaxed seating posture, the Dolphin Surf delivers a calmer experience. Both are easy to live with in traffic, but the Aygo rewards shuttling through congested lanes while the Dolphin Surf emphasises a more grown‑up, noise‑free ride.

Aygo

Comfort, cabin feel and perceived quality

Toyota Aygo’s cabin feels robust and purposefully simple: controls are clear, plastics are hard but well assembled, and the raised seating gives good forward visibility. BYD Dolphin Surf presents a more spacious and slightly more upmarket interior in feel, with softer contact surfaces and a roomier rear where adults can sit comfortably. The Aygo’s compactness becomes apparent in the back — tight door openings and cramped rear seats — whereas the Dolphin Surf turns its footprint into genuine usable space for four. Small annoyances differ: the Aygo can feel choppier over poor surfaces, while the Dolphin Surf sometimes peppers the driver with overly eager monitoring and lacks a one‑pedal feel that some EV buyers expect.

Dolphin Surf

Practicality and everyday usability

For single commuters and city‑only owners the Toyota Aygo’s tiny dimensions are a clear advantage — it slips into parking gaps and cost‑sensitive buyers will value the very low running outlay. The BYD Dolphin Surf flips that script by offering a more flexible cabin: larger rear seats, practical oddments and a luggage area that better swallows daily family bits, albeit with a pronounced inner lip and a practical compromise in folding. The Aygo’s boot and rear packaging limit family‑style luggage, making it better as a one‑ or two‑person urban runabout, while the Dolphin Surf doubles as a genuinely usable small family car for short trips. Ownership practicalities also diverge: the Aygo keeps life simple without charging infrastructure, the Dolphin Surf asks you to plug in to unlock its best cost and comfort advantages.

Aygo

Long‑distance behaviour and motorway use

On longer runs the Toyota Aygo behaves like a classic small city car that can cope with motorway speeds but betrays its size through tyre and engine noise and a firmer response to big bumps. The BYD Dolphin Surf is notably quieter on cruise and feels less strained at constant speeds, but its electric nature brings limits: charging pauses and lower high‑speed efficiency make long trips a different rhythm than a petrol or hybrid car. If you do regular long motorway drives without easy access to rapid charging, the Aygo’s ability to refuel quickly and its predictability can feel more convenient. Conversely, if your long trips are occasional and you can plan charging stops, the Dolphin Surf offers a less fatiguing cabin and an inherently smoother travelling experience.

Dolphin Surf

Buyer fit and who should pick which car

If your life is dense urban driving, tight parking and long daily mileage without charging, the Toyota Aygo suits you: it’s the frugal, manoeuvrable choice that keeps running costs down and stress levels low. If you need four usable seats, a quieter cabin for family errands, and the cheapest route into everyday electric driving with a strong safety package, the BYD Dolphin Surf will feel like the smarter, more spacious option. Budget‑minded buyers who prize equipment and interior room will lean to the Dolphin Surf, while buyers prioritising absolute simplicity, instant refuelling and the smallest possible footprint will prefer the Aygo. The differences above set the scene for the technical comparison that follows, where charging, drivetrain, weight and luggage trade‑offs clarify which compromises you’ll live with day to day.

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

Aygo

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.

Toyota Aygo is only slightly cheaper – starting at 18,800 £ , while the BYD Dolphin Surf costs 19,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 857 £.

Dolphin Surf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers clearly more power – delivering 156 HP compared to 116 HP. That’s roughly 40 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BYD Dolphin Surf is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 9.1 s, while the Toyota Aygo takes 9.2 s. That’s about 0.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BYD Dolphin Surf delivers considerably more torque with 220 Nm compared to 120 Nm. That’s about 100 Nm more.

Aygo

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 4 people.

In terms of curb weight, Toyota Aygo is somewhat lighter – 1,090 kg compared to 1,294 kg. The difference is around 204 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers clearly more boot space – 308 L compared to 231 L. That’s a difference of about 77 L.

When it comes to payload, the Toyota Aygo carries moderately more – 420 kg compared to 344 kg. That’s a difference of about 76 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BYD Dolphin Surf is far 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 £19,700
Dolphin Surf

BYD Dolphin Surf

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 88 - 156 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 15.5 - 16 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 220 - 322 km
Toyota Aygo
BYD Dolphin Surf

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Toyota Aygo

The Aygo is a cheeky city car that turns congested streets into a playground, with bold styling and sprightly manners that make parking a pleasure rather than a pain. Economical to run and surprisingly well equipped for its size, the Aygo is a smart choice for urban buyers who want personality without a premium price and a car that brings a smile to the daily commute.

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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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Toyota Aygo
BYD Dolphin Surf

Costs and Consumption

Price
18,800 - 24,300 £
Price
19,700 - 26,600 £
Consumption L/100km
3.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 - 16 kWh/100km
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
220 - 322 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
85 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,090 kg
Curb weight
1,294 - 1,390 kg
Trunk capacity
231 L
Trunk capacity
308 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,740 mm
Width
1,720 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 kg
Payload
344 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 HP
Power HP
88 - 156 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 12.1 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
120 Nm
Torque
175 - 220 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 kW
Power kW
65 - 115 kW
Engine capacity
1,490 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Toyota
Brand
BYD
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.