Geely E2 vs BYD Dolphin Surf

I love driving. And I really like my current car – she’s a little old, petrol-driven, manual transmission, and gives me very little trouble.

However, with the only certain thing about the fuel price being constant increases and a brand new left hip joint, it’s becoming clear that I need to make a change.

So when I decided to look into affordable compact EV options, there were to cars that stood out. I’m comparing the Geely E2 and BYD Dolphin Surf, two compact electric hatchbacks priced below R 400 000, linked to their Living Electric posts on Recharged.

The BYD Dolphin Surf briefly held the title of South Africa’s cheapest EV after launching in September 2025. Geely then arrived with the E2 Aspire in April 2026, undercutting its rival by R2 000. The top-spec battle is similarly close: the Geely E2 Apex costs R389 900, while the BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic is R395 900.

Both are designed primarily for urban driving, school runs, errands, and daily commuting, but their approaches are quite different. The Dolphin Surf is the smaller, quirkier city car, while the E2 offers more power, space, range, and cabin technology.

My comparison focuses primarily on the higher-spec Geely E2 Apex and BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic, because if you’re going to daydream about a new drive, you might as well go premium, right?

Power and performance

This is one of the clearest victories for the Geely E2. Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 85kW and 150Nm, allowing it to accelerate from 0–100km/h in a claimed 11.5 seconds. It is not a hot hatch, but it has enough power for confident pull-offs, highway merging, and overtaking.

The rear-wheel-drive layout also distinguishes it from many entry-level hatchbacks. It contributes to a balanced driving experience, while the multi-link rear suspension is more sophisticated than the torsion-beam arrangement used by the BYD.

The Dolphin Surf produces 55kW and 135Nm through its front wheels. The Dynamic takes a claimed 15.5 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a top speed of 130km/h.

That may sound slow on paper, but the Dolphin Surf’s instant electric torque makes it feel responsive enough in stop-start traffic. Its performance limitations become more noticeable on highways, where overtaking requires more forward planning.

Winner: Geely E2 The E2’s additional 30kW makes a meaningful difference, especially for drivers who regularly leave the city.

Battery capacity, charging, and range

Both vehicles use lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, which is generally well suited to affordable EVs because of its durability, thermal stability, and ability to tolerate frequent charging.

The Geely E2 uses the same 39.4kWh battery in both Aspire and Apex derivatives. It offers a claimed WLTP range of 325km and claimed energy consumption of 15.2kWh/100km.

Geely says the battery can charge from 30% to 80% in approximately 25 minutes when connected to a suitable DC charger. Its maximum DC charging rate is 70kW, while a 10–100% AC charge takes around 6.5 hours.

The Dolphin Surf is available with two battery sizes. The Comfort has a 30.08kWh battery and a claimed WLTP range of 232km, while the Dynamic has a 38.88kWh battery and a claimed WLTP range of 295km.

DC charging is capped at 30kW in the Comfort and 40kW in the Dynamic. BYD quotes approximately 30 minutes for a 30–80% charge. Both variants support 6.6kW AC charging.

The Geely’s range advantage is not enormous, but its faster DC charging is important. Even when connected to a powerful public charger, the car can only accept electricity at its own maximum rate. The E2’s 70kW limit therefore makes shorter charging stops possible than the BYD’s 40kW maximum.

Winner: Geely E2 It offers slightly more battery capacity, a longer WLTP range, and considerably faster DC charging.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Both vehicles support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but their implementations are not equal.

The Geely E2 requires a cable for Apple CarPlay. It provides USB-A and USB-C ports at the front, although the correct data-capable port must be used for smartphone mirroring. Rear passengers get a separate USB-A connection.

The Dolphin Surf supports wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless connectivity is convenient for short journeys because drivers can leave their phones in a pocket or handbag. The option to use a cable remains useful when a stable connection and simultaneous charging are more important.

Winner: BYD Dolphin Surf Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto make it the more convenient option for everyday phone connectivity.

Infotainment screens

The Geely E2 has the larger and more dramatic cabin display. Its dashboard is centred around a 14.6-inch HD touchscreen running the Flyme Auto system, paired with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. The display handles infotainment, vehicle settings, climate controls, driving modes, and regenerative-braking adjustments.

The screen’s size makes maps, menus, and reversing-camera views easy to see, although placing many vehicle controls inside a touchscreen may take some adjustment for drivers coming from cars with conventional buttons.

The Dolphin Surf uses a smaller 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch digital driver display. BYD’s party trick is that the main screen can rotate between landscape and portrait orientations.

Landscape mode generally makes more sense for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while portrait mode can be useful for vertically arranged menus. There are also physical shortcuts beneath the screen for functions such as air-conditioning, fan speed, demisting, and drive-mode selection.

Winner: Geely E2 The BYD screen is more playful, but the Geely’s substantially larger display and instrument cluster create a more premium digital cabin.

Seats and interior space

Both South African models are configured with five seats, including ISOFIX mounting points on the outer rear seats. However, the E2 is the larger vehicle. It measures 4 135mm long with a 2 650mm wheelbase, compared with the Dolphin Surf’s 3 925mm length and 2 500mm wheelbase.

That additional size translates into more shoulder room, rear legroom, and an airier cabin. The dedicated EV platform also gives the E2 a relatively flat floor, helping to improve rear-seat comfort.

The Dolphin Surf is better suited to drivers who value compact exterior dimensions. Its smaller footprint makes it easier to position in tight parking spaces, narrow streets, and crowded shopping-centre car parks, but the cabin feels more intimate when carrying several adults.

Winner: Geely E2 Both can accommodate five people, but the E2 is the more convincing small-family vehicle.

Boot and frunk capacity

Practicality is another strong point for the Geely. Its conventional boot provides 375L of storage, expanding to 1320L with the rear seats folded. There is also a 70L frunk beneath the bonnet, which is useful for charging cables, cleaning supplies, emergency equipment, or smaller shopping bags.

The Dolphin Surf has a 308L boot, expanding to 1037L when the rear seat is folded. It does not have a frunk.

The BYD’s luggage area should handle routine groceries, school bags, and small suitcases, but buyers who regularly transport bulky items will appreciate the E2’s larger boot, split-folding rear seat, and additional front compartment.

Winner: Geely E2 The combination of a larger boot and 70L frunk makes this an easy decision.

Exterior and interior design

Design is more subjective than battery capacity or boot space, and these cars have noticeably different personalities.

The Geely E2 has clean surfaces, slim LED lighting, a closed front grille, short overhangs, and a relatively long wheelbase. The rear features a wide tailgate, distinctive LED lighting, and an integrated roof spoiler.

The Aspire has 15-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic covers, while the Apex upgrades to 16-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint, rear privacy glass, and chrome detailing. The Apex’s synthetic-leather upholstery, soft-touch finishes, and ambient lighting also give its cabin a more upmarket appearance.

The Dolphin Surf is bolder and more playful. BYD describes its styling as part of the brand’s Ocean Aesthetics design language, combining a single-arc roofline with angular lighting and sharply defined bumpers.

Inside, it continues the theme with a wave-shaped dashboard, compact digital displays, and “cyberpunk”-inspired air vents. The floating central screen and unusual rotary-style gear selector reinforce its youthful personality.

Winner: Tie The Geely looks more mature and substantial, while the BYD has more character. This one will come down to personal preference.

Technology and convenience features

The E2 Apex has one of the strongest technology packages in this price range. Its equipment includes keyless entry and start, a 360-degree panoramic camera with a transparent-chassis view, ambient lighting, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, six-speaker audio, vehicle remote functions, battery pre-heating, and Vehicle-to-Load support.

V2L allows the battery to power external electrical devices through a suitable adaptor, which can be useful while camping, working remotely, or dealing with a power interruption.

The Dolphin Surf also supports V2L, scheduled charging, smart charging, keyless entry and start, voice controls, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and separate volume settings for media, phone calls, voice prompts, and radio.

Compatible BYD app functions can include remote locking and unlocking, battery and range checks, vehicle diagnostics, service alerts, and pre-conditioning the cabin before a journey.

Winner: Geely E2 The BYD is well equipped, but the E2 Apex’s larger displays, 360-degree camera, stronger driver-assistance package, and more premium cabin features give it the edge.

Safety and Euro NCAP rating

The BYD Dolphin Surf has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The tested European vehicle performed strongly in side-impact protection and includes autonomous emergency braking, lane support, driver monitoring, speed assistance, front and rear seatbelt reminders, and an advanced emergency-call system.

It is important to note that Euro NCAP tested a left-hand-drive European model. Equipment can differ between markets and derivatives, so South African buyers should confirm the exact safety specification with the dealership.

The Geely E2 did not have a published Euro NCAP rating that we could verify at the time of writing. That does not mean it is unsafe, but it does mean there is no directly comparable independent European crash-test score available yet.

On specification, the E2 includes ABS, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assistance, tyre-pressure monitoring, and multiple airbags. The Apex adds adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, intelligent high beams, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, door-open warning, and a 360-degree camera.

Winner: BYD Dolphin Surf The E2 Apex has the broader listed driver-assistance package, but the Dolphin Surf’s independently verified five-star rating carries considerable weight.

Price and value

The entry-level Geely E2 Aspire starts at R339 900, while the more comprehensively equipped Apex costs R389 900.

The BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort starts at R341 900, with the Dynamic priced at R395 900. This makes the E2 R2 000 cheaper at entry level and R6 000 cheaper when comparing the top derivatives reviewed here.

That difference would not normally decide a vehicle purchase on its own. However, the E2 is also more powerful, larger, faster to charge, longer-ranged, and more practical, making its lower price particularly significant.

The Dolphin Surf fights back with wireless smartphone mirroring, a five-star Euro NCAP rating, compact dimensions, and BYD’s established Blade Battery and e-Platform technology.

Winner: Geely E2 It offers more car for slightly less money.

Verdict: Geely E2 or BYD Dolphin Surf?

The BYD Dolphin Surf remains a compelling city EV. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre, distinctive, efficient, and packed with useful features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are particularly convenient, while its five-star Euro NCAP result provides reassurance that the Geely cannot currently match with an independently published rating.

Choose the BYD Dolphin Surf if you primarily drive in the city, have limited parking space, value wireless phone connectivity, or place an independent crash-test rating near the top of your shopping list.

The Geely E2, however, is the stronger all-round package. It has 30kW more power, a longer driving range, faster DC charging, a larger cabin, more boot space, a useful frunk, a bigger infotainment screen, and a more comprehensive technology package in Apex trim. It also costs less.

If you’re looking for an affordable EV that can serve as more than a compact second car, the Geely E2 is the more versatile choice. The Dolphin Surf is the charming city specialist; the E2 is the one better equipped to handle family life, commuting, and occasional longer journeys.

Overall winner: Geely E2

Which EV Do I Buy in my Dreams?

Looking at a compact, automatic EV for the minimal commuting I do, logically the BYD Dolphin Surf ticks all the necessary boxes and should be the logical choice.

But one thing I haven’t mentioned is that Geely Auto is the parent company that owns Volvo Cars, and if I could have absolutely any car, no strings attached, it would be Volvo. So that’s another point in Geely’s favour. While it has no safety rating, Volvo continuously pioneer protective technology, so I’m not concerned about the lack of a rating.

So as soon as come into a windfall from *gestures vaguely*, I’d be putting in my order for a Geely E2 Apex (in Aurora Green).