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Toyota Yaris vs BYD Dolphin Surf comparison

Compare performance (280 HP vs 156 HP), boot space and price (21,900 £ vs 19,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Toyota Yaris or BYD Dolphin Surf?

Toyota Yaris vs BYD Dolphin Surf: Key differences

Toyota Yaris

4 (6 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably more power
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit lighter
details

BYD Dolphin Surf

  • slightly cheaper
  • only slightly more trunk space
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

Yaris

Overview: Toyota Yaris VS BYD Dolphin Surf in one glance

The Toyota Yaris and BYD Dolphin Surf take very different approaches to the same brief: small, city-friendly cars that cost little to run. The Yaris is a mild, proven hybrid that prioritises ultra-low fuel use and reassuring safety tech, while the BYD Dolphin Surf is a compact electric that trades charging chores for more interior space and a richer standard kit. Buyers deciding between them are choosing between a no‑fuss, fuel‑saving commuter and a pragmatic entry EV that feels more grown‑up inside its compact footprint. Read on for where each model shines and where each one will grate in everyday life.

Dolphin Surf

Character and driving feel

The Toyota Yaris feels taut and controlled in town: light steering, eager low‑speed response and the familiar quiet of hybrid EV drive until you demand full power, when the three‑cylinder and e‑CVT become noticeably busy. The BYD Dolphin Surf, by contrast, is almost silent off the line and feels composed, but it never gives much steering feedback or sporting engagement — comfort and smoothness are the priorities. That means the Yaris rewards drivers who value nimble, predictable city handling, while the Dolphin Surf suits people who prefer a serene, buttoned‑down cabin experience even if it lacks driver involvement. In short, one is lively at the helm, the other is calm and effortless, and buyers should pick based on whether driving feel or cabin quiet matters more to them.

Yaris

Comfort and long-distance behaviour

On short urban hops both cars are pleasant, but differences show up on longer runs: the Toyota Yaris remains stable and confidence-inspiring at speed, yet the drivetrain gets strident under sustained overtaking and motorway work. The BYD Dolphin Surf offers a softer, more relaxed ride that’s kinder on city streets, but at highway speeds wind and tyre noise increase and its range and charging pace make long trips more of a planning exercise. For someone who spends most time on motorways or regularly covers long distances, the Yaris’s predictable high‑speed manners and lower refuelling fuss may feel less limiting despite the noise. Conversely, if most miles are urban or short intercity hops and you can charge at home, the Dolphin Surf is simply the more comfortable all‑day companion.

Dolphin Surf

Practicality and cabin usability

Inside, the BYD Dolphin Surf makes the most of its footprint: rear passengers enjoy surprising legroom and the layout includes thoughtful storage and modern features that feel generous for the segment. The Toyota Yaris is more compact inside, with a higher‑built boot and tighter rear doors that make rear‑seat access and carrying bulky items more fiddly in daily life. That trade‑off means the Dolphin Surf suits small families or two adults who regularly carry passengers, while the Yaris is better for solo commuters or couples who prioritise compact exterior dimensions for parking. Practical annoyances are different too: BYD’s boot can have a high inner lip and fiddly folding, whereas the Yaris offers a neater footprint but less usable cargo area.

City friendliness and daily convenience

Both cars are strong in urban settings, but for different reasons: the Toyota Yaris wins on running‑cost simplicity — no charging routines, reliable low fuel consumption and a light, easy steering feel that makes parking and tight manoeuvres painless. The BYD Dolphin Surf scores on silent electric drive, richer standard tech and the kind of creature comforts (remote updates, V2L, integrated smartphone features) that make everyday life easier if you have a home charger. However, Dolphin Surf’s sometimes over‑eager driver monitoring and weak regenerative braking can frustrate one‑pedal fans, while the Yaris’s engine noise under load can annoy drivers who spend lots of time accelerating. Choose the Yaris if you want plug‑free simplicity; choose the Dolphin Surf if you want EV quiet, kit and more interior space and you can live with its charging habits.

Buyer fit and practical trade-offs before the numbers

If your priority is the cheapest, lowest‑stress daily operation without thinking about charging, the Toyota Yaris is aimed squarely at you with its hybrid efficiency and familiar packaging. If you want an affordable route into EV life with more rear‑seat comfort, strong equipment levels and modern cabin amenities, the BYD Dolphin Surf will be the more compelling daily tool — provided home charging is available and you accept slower public fast‑charging. Both cars make clear compromises: the Yaris trades space and long‑haul refinement for efficiency and predictability, while the Dolphin Surf trades fifth‑seat flexibility and high-speed composure for interior room and EV running benefits. The technical comparison that follows will translate those trade‑offs into the concrete numbers that matter for range, performance and load capacity so you can match the figures to the real‑world fit described here.

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

Yaris

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

BYD Dolphin Surf is slightly cheaper – starting at 19,700 £ , while the Toyota Yaris costs 21,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,152 £.

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 Toyota Yaris offers considerably more power – delivering 280 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 124 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Toyota Yaris is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 5.5 s, while the BYD Dolphin Surf takes 9.1 s. That’s about 3.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Toyota Yaris delivers clearly more torque with 390 Nm compared to 220 Nm. That’s about 170 Nm more.

Yaris

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: Toyota Yaris offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

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

Looking at boot space, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers only slightly more boot space – 308 L compared to 286 L. That’s a difference of about 22 L.

When it comes to payload, the Toyota Yaris carries clearly more – 525 kg compared to 344 kg. That’s a difference of about 181 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Toyota Yaris 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 £21,900
Yaris

Toyota Yaris

  • Engine Type : Full Hybrid, Petrol
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 280 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 3.8 - 8.7 L/100km
details
Toyota Yaris
BYD Dolphin Surf

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Toyota Yaris

The Yaris is a compact hatchback that blends everyday practicality with Toyota’s long-standing reputation for reliability, making it easy to live with in city traffic. Its nimble handling and sensible interior make the Yaris a smart choice for drivers who want straightforward, fuss-free transport.

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Reviews Toyota Yaris

4 (6 Reviews)
rate
Michael
22 May 2026, 20:42:12

I'll always choose toyota over honda

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
jj
19 May 2026, 17:06:55

Good all round car with exceptional reliability.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Mathieu
31 Dec 2025, 13:08:43

My Toyota Yaris Hybrid is perfect: small footprint yet a reasonable boot, fuel consumption between 3.2 and 3.9 l/100 km, very comfortable even for long distances. You can fault it for its mediocre uphill acceleration on the motorway. But with speed limits of 70 to 130 km/h, it still remains too powerful.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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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BYD_Dolphin_Surf__251_UK05BYD
BYD_Dolphin_Surf__205-1
BYD_Dolphin_Surf__195

Reviews BYD Dolphin Surf

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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BYD Dolphin Surf

Costs and Consumption
Price
21,900 - 40,800 £
Price
19,700 - 26,600 £
Consumption L/100km
3.8 - 8.7 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
87 - 197 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4 - 5
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,090 - 1,356 kg
Curb weight
1,294 - 1,390 kg
Trunk capacity
141 - 286 L
Trunk capacity
308 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,745 - 1,805 mm
Width
1,720 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
289 - 525 kg
Payload
344 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Petrol
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 280 HP
Power HP
88 - 156 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.5 - 9.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 12.1 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
390 Nm
Torque
175 - 220 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 206 kW
Power kW
65 - 115 kW
Engine capacity
1,490 - 1,618 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Toyota
Brand
BYD
What drive types are available for the Toyota Yaris?

The Toyota Yaris is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.