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.
J7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 178,000 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · J7 from ZAR 519,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
J7145 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
J7290 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
J71600 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
J714.3 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
J7200 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)
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
J7
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
J7
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
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Model Introduced Year
2025
2024
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Current South Africa J7 range
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Length
3925 mm
4500 mm
Width
1720 mm
1865 mm
Height
1590 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2672 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
584 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
1531 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
1939 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
434 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1300 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
5.4 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
690 mm
910 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.6-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
SQRF4J16C
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1600 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
55 kW
145 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
290 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
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
130 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
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
J7
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
7 DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
FWD
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
1
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Electric
Drivetrain
FWD
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 Applicable
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
7 DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
7
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
14.3 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
11.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
16.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
51 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
14.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
51
Combined Driving Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
245 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
288 km
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Airbags
6
Multiple airbags
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Standard
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
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Fabric or cloth trim
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Polyurethane / synthetic
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Manual
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Fabric
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Manual / automatic by trim
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Manual / automatic by trim
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1349 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
4-6
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
Standard
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
10.1
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
10.1
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
200 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
235/55 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
16
235/55 R18
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Multi-link
Front Track Width
-
Not Available
Rear Track Width
-
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
163 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
5 Year / 70 000 km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
entry-value
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
519900 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
entry-value
Starting Price
395900
519900
Starting Price Zar
395900
519900
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
J7
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 Year / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and J7 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 J7 59.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs J7 56.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs J7 91.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs J7 67.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs J7 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 J7 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
J7 leads by 8 points
J7 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
J7
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
67/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexJaecoo J7
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, J7 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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