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 Chery Tiggo 9: the short answer
Tiggo 9 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 348,000 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · Tiggo 9 from ZAR 689,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Tiggo 9187 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Tiggo 9390 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Tiggo 92000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Tiggo 912.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
Tiggo 9147 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
Tiggo 9
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
Tiggo 9
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
Tiggo 9
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Current South Africa Tiggo 9 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
2026
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
-
1980 kg
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Length
3925 mm
4810 mm
Width
1720 mm
1925 mm
Height
1590 mm
1741 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
147 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
147 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
65 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
448 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
1980 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
2587 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
607 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1425 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
5.9 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
1025 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
990 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
690 mm
960 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
2-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
2000 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
187 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
390 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
AWD
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
Tiggo 9
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
7 DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
AWD
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
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Available
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
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
7
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
12.0 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
9.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
14.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
65 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
12.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
65
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
Tiggo 9
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
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Standard
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
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Leatherette / leather
Heated Seats
Standard
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Power
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Leatherette / leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Automatic
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
2065 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
8
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
Tiggo 9
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
White, black, grey, silver, blue, green and other official Chery market colours by model.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Standard
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
AWD / 4WD as listed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
147 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
147 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
20-inch alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
16
20-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
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
Tiggo 9
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
197 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
5 Year / 75 000 km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
flagship or capability-focused
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
779900 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
flagship or capability-focused
Starting Price
395900
779900
Starting Price Zar
395900
779900
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Tiggo 9
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
7 Year / 200 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and Tiggo 9 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 Tiggo 9 80.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs Tiggo 9 47.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs Tiggo 9 94.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs Tiggo 9 67.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs Tiggo 9 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 Tiggo 9 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
Tiggo 9 leads by 13 points
Tiggo 9 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Tiggo 9
Performance
80/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChery Tiggo 9
leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tiggo 9 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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