BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs GWM H6

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 in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 395,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 55 kW 🔧 135 Nm
VS
GWM H6 in South Africa

GWM H6

1.5T Hybrid LX Hybrid Current
ZAR 729,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 260 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs GWM H6: the short answer

H6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.

DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 248,000 cheaper DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · H6 from ZAR 589,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification DOLPHIN SURF H6
Maximum Power DOLPHIN SURF55 kW H6115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm H6260 Nm
Engine Size DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable H61497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable H617.2 km/l
Ground Clearance DOLPHIN SURF155 mm H6198 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 rating Not yet rated

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

How Hagalu rates cars

GWM H6

1.5T Hybrid LX

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)

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
Specification evidence leader

H6

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN SURF

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

H6

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec DOLPHIN SURF H6
Model Introduced Year 2025 2022
Generation First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation H6 sold in South Africa is the third generation H6 under the Haval brand, launched globally in 2021 and adapted for SA in 2022. Suspension and powertrain calibration is tuned for South African road conditions and fuel quality.
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 H6 received a mid-cycle update in late 2024 that brought refined hybrid system calibration for South African altitude and fuel quality, an upgraded driver-assistance package across all variants, the 14.6-inch infotainment screen as standard on LT and LX (replacing the original 12.3-inch unit), and revised exterior detailing including new alloy wheel designs.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment City Hatchback SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle SUV
Color Note - Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Mars Red, Atlantic Blue and Cosmos Grey. Two-tone roof options on LT and LX with selected base colours.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 1680 kg
Spec DOLPHIN SURF H6
Length 3925 mm 4653 mm
Width 1720 mm 1886 mm
Height 1590 mm 1730 mm
Wheelbase 2500 mm 2738 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 198 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 120 mm 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 58 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 530 l
Kerb Weight 1280 kg 1680 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1690 kg 2200 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 480 kg
Towing Capacity 0 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.95 m 11.8 m
Front Headroom 980 mm 990 mm
Rear Headroom 920 mm 960 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 690 mm 890 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This DOLPHIN SURF and H6 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 H6 51.

Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs H6 70.

Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs H6 93.

Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs H6 67.

Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs H6 65.

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

H6 leads by 8 points

H6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 99% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

H6

99% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 51
Performance 51
Efficiency 70
Safety 93
Practicality 67
Ownership 65
Leads by 8 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 H6 +26 Efficiency DOLPHIN SURF +20 Safety H6 +6 Practicality H6 +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

H6

Performance 51/100
Efficiency 70/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 67/100
Ownership 65/100

DOLPHIN SURF

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM H6 leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, H6 leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

DOLPHIN SURF vs H6 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.