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.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs Suzuki Ertiga: the short answer
DOLPHIN SURF has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ertiga remains close.
Ertiga starts ZAR 37,000 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · Ertiga from ZAR 304,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Ertiga77 kW
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Ertiga138 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ertiga1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ertiga16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
Ertiga0 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.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
Dynamic EV
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)
Specification evidence leader
DOLPHIN SURF
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Ertiga
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN SURF
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
Ertiga
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Current market generation
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
MPV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
MPV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
MPV
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Length
3925 mm
4395 mm
Width
1720 mm
1735 mm
Height
1590 mm
1690 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2740 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
209 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
1180 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
1760 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
580 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
4.95 m
5.2 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
690 mm
900 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
K15B/K15C
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1462 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
12.0:1
Bore
Not Applicable
73.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
55 kW
77 kW
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
138 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
130 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
16.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
65.3 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
116.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
38.88 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
4-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
2WD
LSD Available
Not Available
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
No
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
No
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
4.3
Number of Gears
1
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
4-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter / CVT
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
FWD
2WD
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 Applicable
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
No
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
4-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Transmission Speeds
1
4
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
16.1 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
45 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Yes
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
16.1 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
45
Combined Driving Range
295 km (WLTP)
700
Electric Consumption
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
245 km
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
288 km
600 km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
No
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Applicable
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
No
AEB
Not Available
No
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
No
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
No
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
No
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
No
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
No
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
No
Park Assist
Standard
No
Around View Monitor
Not Available
No
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
No
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Fabric upholstery
Heated Seats
Standard
No
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
No
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
No
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Urethane
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Fabric upholstery
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Manual air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Standard
Yes
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
No
Sunroof
Not Available
No
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Applicable
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Manual air conditioning
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Standard
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
Analogue instrument cluster with multi-information display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
USB-A / USB-C
Infotainment Screen
10.1
7
Touchscreen
10.1
7
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
LED Headlamps
Standard
No
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
No
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
No
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Headlights
Standard
No
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
No
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Available
No
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
195/60 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
16
16
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Manual parking brake
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
145 g/km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
250000 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
395900
250000
Starting Price Zar
395900
250000
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ertiga
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 Years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and Ertiga 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: DOLPHIN SURF 25 vs Ertiga 34.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs Ertiga 62.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs Ertiga 67.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs Ertiga 49.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs Ertiga 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
DOLPHIN SURF and Ertiga 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 9 points
DOLPHIN SURF has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ertiga remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
Ertiga
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
67/100
Practicality
49/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD DOLPHIN SURF
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 52 pts for Ertiga
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN SURF leads. However, Ertiga 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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