Changan Deepal S07 vs BYD DOLPHIN SURF

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.

Changan Deepal S07 in South Africa

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07 Electric Current
ZAR 995,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 160 kW 🔧 320 Nm
VS
BYD DOLPHIN SURF in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 395,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 55 kW 🔧 135 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Deepal S07 vs BYD DOLPHIN SURF: the short answer

Deepal S07 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over DOLPHIN SURF.

DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 654,000 cheaper Deepal S07 from ZAR 995,900 · DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Deepal S07 DOLPHIN SURF
Maximum Power Deepal S07160 kW DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Maximum Torque Deepal S07320 Nm DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Engine Size Deepal S07Not Applicable DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy Deepal S07Not Applicable DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ground Clearance Deepal S07165 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.

Changan Deepal S07

Deepal S07

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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

Deepal S07

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

DOLPHIN SURF

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Deepal S07

  • 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 who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Deepal S07 DOLPHIN SURF
Model Introduced Year 2025 2025
Generation First South African Deepal S07 retail generation in one five-seat configuration. First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced for the current Deepal S07. No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Coupe SUV Hatchback
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment Battery-electric mid-size SUV City Hatchback
Vehicle Type Passenger car Passenger vehicle
Spec Deepal S07 DOLPHIN SURF
Length 4750 mm 3925 mm
Width 1930 mm 1720 mm
Height 1625 mm 1590 mm
Wheelbase 2900 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 445 l 230 l
Kerb Weight 2073 kg 1280 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2490 kg 1690 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 410 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.75 m 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

In depth: how these cars differ

This Deepal S07 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: Deepal S07 65 vs DOLPHIN SURF 25.

Efficiency index: Deepal S07 90 vs DOLPHIN SURF 90.

Safety-equipment index: Deepal S07 92 vs DOLPHIN SURF 87.

Practicality index: Deepal S07 66 vs DOLPHIN SURF 51.

Ownership-cover index: Deepal S07 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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

Deepal S07 leads by 16 points

Deepal S07 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over DOLPHIN SURF.

Evidence leader 77 /100
Lead 16 points
Data 58% source coverage
77
#1 Evidence leader

Deepal S07

58% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 65
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 66
Leads by 16 points
61
#2

DOLPHIN SURF

60% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 25
Performance 25
Efficiency 90
Safety 87
Practicality 51
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Deepal S07 +40 Efficiency Level Safety Deepal S07 +5 Practicality Deepal S07 +15

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Deepal S07

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 66/100

DOLPHIN SURF

Performance 25/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 51/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Deepal S07 leads the specification evidence index with 77 pts vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Deepal S07 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

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Deepal S07 vs DOLPHIN SURF questions

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.