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.
Suzuki Celerio vs BYD DOLPHIN SURF: the short answer
DOLPHIN SURF has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Celerio starts ZAR 153,000 cheaperCelerio from ZAR 188,900 · DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Maximum Power
Celerio49 kW
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Maximum Torque
Celerio89 Nm
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Engine Size
Celerio998 cc
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
Celerio18.2 km/l
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
Celerio0 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.
Suzuki Celerio
1.0 GL AMT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
Celerio
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
DOLPHIN SURF
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Celerio
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current market generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Facelift History
Current market specification
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Hatchback
City Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Passenger vehicle
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Length
3695 mm
3925 mm
Width
1655 mm
1720 mm
Height
1555 mm
1590 mm
Wheelbase
2435 mm
2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
32 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
295 l
230 l
Kerb Weight
825 kg
1280 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1260 kg
1690 kg
Payload Capacity
435 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
4.95 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
980 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
920 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
690 mm
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Engine
1.0-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
K10C
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
998 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
3
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
12
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Not Applicable
Bore
73.0 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
85.0 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
49 kW
55 kW
Maximum Torque
89 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
Not Officially Disclosed
FWD
Transmission
5-Speed AMT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
170 km/h
130 km/h
0-100 km/h
12.0 sec
15.5 sec
Quarter Mile
18.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
59.4 kW/tonne
43.0 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
107.9 Nm/tonne
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
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Gearbox
5-speed automated manual
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
Front motor, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
10.45
Number of Gears
5
1
Transmission Type
5-speed automated manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dry single-plate clutch
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Instrument switch group gear selector
Drivetrain
2WD
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
No
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Gearbox Type
5-speed automated manual
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
5
1
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Claimed Mileage
18.2 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
32 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
18.2 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
32
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
700
295 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Range Real World Highway
650 km
245 km
Range Real World Mixed
600 km
288 km
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Not Applicable
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
No
Not Available
AEB
No
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
No
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
No
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Not Available
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Cruise Control
Cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
No
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
No
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
No
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Standard
Around View Monitor
No
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
No
Not Available
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
No
Standard
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Urethane
Imitation leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Available
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
Synthetic leather
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Climate Control
Manual air conditioning
Electric air conditioner
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
No
Standard
Sunroof
No
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
No
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Standard
AC Type
Manual air conditioning
Electric air conditioner
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
10.1-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instrument cluster with multi-information display
7-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
7
10.1
Touchscreen
7
10.1
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
LED Headlamps
No
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
No
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
No
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Headlights
No
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
15 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
185/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
16
16
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
CO2 Emissions
125 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
4 years/2 services service plan
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
longer-range city derivative
Price Zar
250000 ZAR
395900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
longer-range city derivative
Starting Price
250000
395900
Starting Price Zar
250000
395900
Spec
Celerio
DOLPHIN SURF
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
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 Celerio 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: Celerio 20 vs DOLPHIN SURF 25.
Efficiency index: Celerio 69 vs DOLPHIN SURF 90.
Safety-equipment index: Celerio 67 vs DOLPHIN SURF 87.
Practicality index: Celerio 43 vs DOLPHIN SURF 51.
Ownership-cover index: Celerio 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
Celerio 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
DOLPHIN SURF leads by 13 points
DOLPHIN SURF has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
Celerio
Performance
20/100
Efficiency
69/100
Safety
67/100
Practicality
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD DOLPHIN SURF
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 48 pts for Celerio
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN SURF leads. However, Celerio 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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