A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
B30 and DOLPHIN SURF are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 178,000 cheaperB30 from ZAR 519,900 · DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Maximum Power
B30138 kW
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Maximum Torque
B30305 Nm
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Engine Size
B301498 cc
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
B3012.41 km/l
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
B30215 mm
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BAIC B30
B30 Elite Adventure
Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
B30
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
DOLPHIN SURF
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
B30
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Model Introduced Year
2025
2025
Generation
Current first-generation BAIC B30 for South Africa, introduced locally for the 2025 model year with petrol and self-charging HEV derivatives.
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Facelift History
The B30 was unveiled locally in August 2025 and launched in November 2025 as the first South African version; no later local facelift has been announced.
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door mid-size SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2025
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Mid-size SUV
City Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Length
4730 mm
3925 mm
Width
1910 mm
1720 mm
Height
1790 mm
1590 mm
Wheelbase
2820 mm
2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
215 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
Not Officially Disclosed
230 l
Kerb Weight
1575 kg
1280 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2034 kg
1690 kg
Payload Capacity
459 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
4.95 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
980 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
920 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
690 mm
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Engine
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
A156T2H
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1498 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
138 kW
55 kW
Maximum Torque
305 Nm
135 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
7-Speed DCT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
130 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
15.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Standard, Sport, Economy, Snow
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
43.0 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
105.5 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
38.88 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
295 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
40 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Gearbox
7DCT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front motor, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.45
Number of Gears
7
1
Transmission Type
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Instrument switch group gear selector
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Dual-clutch
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
No
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front-wheel drive
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
7
1
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Claimed Mileage
12.41 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro VI
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
12.41 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
60
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
295 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
245 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
288 km
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Around View Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Seat Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Optional
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Optional
Imitation leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Not Available
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Leather
Synthetic leather
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic
Electric air conditioner
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Optional
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1496 l
-
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic
Electric air conditioner
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Infotainment System
BAIC DA head unit with DAB radio
10.1-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
USB-A front; USB-C front and rear
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
14.6-inch central touchscreen
10.1
Touchscreen
14.6-inch central touchscreen
10.1
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Optional
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Mint Green, Blue, White, Light Grey, Matte Grey, Grey, Black
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Optional
Not Available
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Approach Angle
25 deg
15 deg
Departure Angle
30 deg
25 deg
Wading Depth
450 mm
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
21 deg
Not Applicable
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Tyre Size
235/65 R18
185/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Non-full-size space-saver spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch
16
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Towing Unbraked Kg
750 kg
-
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Front Suspension
MacPherson independent suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Torsion beam
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
0 g/km
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Service Plan
7 Years / 90 000 km
4 years/2 services service plan
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
longer-range city derivative
Price Zar
519900 ZAR
395900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
longer-range city derivative
Starting Price
519900
395900
Starting Price Zar
519900
395900
Spec
B30
DOLPHIN SURF
Warranty
7 Years / 200 000 km; 7-year unlimited-mileage roadside assistance
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This B30 and DOLPHIN SURF comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: B30 59 vs DOLPHIN SURF 25.
Efficiency index: B30 51 vs DOLPHIN SURF 90.
Safety-equipment index: B30 92 vs DOLPHIN SURF 87.
Practicality index: B30 61 vs DOLPHIN SURF 51.
Ownership-cover index: B30 not separately scored vs DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
B30 and DOLPHIN SURF image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
B30 leads by 5 points
B30 and DOLPHIN SURF are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
B30
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
51/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC B30
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B30 leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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